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Hair Growth for Men

It is the great vain bane of many men across the world: hair loss. It can start as early as one's teens or as late as one's 60s. Most men will experience some form of thinning throughout their lifetimes, but a great percentage will experience much more than that. They will be subject to male pattern baldness, starting at either the temples or the crown--sometimes both. Science is working on a cure, but until that time, balding men have to make do with the treatments available.

  1. Finasteride

    • Sold under the brand names Propecia and Proscar, finasteride is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitor. DHT has been found to be the No. 1 cause of male pattern baldness. By binding to the androgen receptors in the scalp, DHT causes severe damage to the follicles, closing them out (causing thinning hair) and eventually shutting them down (shedding and balding). By inhibiting the enzyme that converts natural testosterone into DHT, finasteride eliminates this issue and allows the hair to continue to grow unabated.

    Minoxodil

    • Minoxodil is commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine. While it was only available by prescription before 1996, it is now available for over-the-counter purchase. Minoxodil comes in either an oil or a foam, and is applied daily to the scalp. The drug works as a vasodilatator, opening up the blood vessels for increased blood flow to the scalp. On the other hand, many skeptics believe there are other reasons for the drug's success, as no other vasodilatator products have been nearly as effective in promoting hair growth.

    Spironolactone

    • Marketed under such brand names as Berlactone, Spirocream and Aldactone, spironolactone is a topical cream that works as an anti-androgen. It works by binding to the androgen receptors in the scalp, preventing them from binding with DHT, which in turn prevents further hair loss.

    Laser Combs

    • The laser comb is a relatively new invention in the fight against baldness. It is put out by a company called Hair Max, and it has been featured on such programs as "Dateline NBC." The manufacturer claims that visible red light from the comb penetrates the blood vessels, opening them up and letting more blood into areas of the scalp that need it most. This in turn creates a better atmosphere for hair growth.

    Hair Restoration Surgery

    • The best--and most expensive--way to regrow hair on a balding head is by having a hair transplant. Many men recoil at the thought of this, remembering the "doll head" effect these surgeries had 10 or 15 years ago. The science and techniques have improved a great deal since then, however. The basic idea behind the surgery is taking hair from the sides and back of the head (DHT does not affect these areas of the head) and grafting it onto the areas needed. This hair will then be permanent. It retains its DHT-resistance even in its new home.

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