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Can You Really Regrow Hair?

Most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. Noticeable hair loss can be caused by pattern baldness, a hereditary issue that causes your hair to be thinner and more likely to fall out prematurely, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  1. Topical Treatment

    • Several treatments to regrow hair have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including the topical treatment minoxidil. How minoxidil encourages hair growth is not fully understood, but it could be caused by the drug's vasodilation properties. In a one year observational study, 67 percent of men using minoxidil had a smaller balding area after receiving treatment, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons.

    Oral Medication

    • The FDA has also approved an oral medication called finasteride. This drug works by blocking dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a hormone that can cause hair follicles to stop functioning properly. Finasteride can cause hair growth in up to 65 percent of men who use it, according to the American Hair Loss Association.

    Risks

    • Finasteride can cause side effects including sexual dysfunction, skin irritation and facial swelling. According to the National Institutes of Health, finasteride can cause serious birth defects, so women should avoid coming into contact with the pills. Also, minoxidil has been known to cause scalp irritation.

    Considerations

    • If you use finasteride or minoxidil, you will experience hair regrowth for as long as you continue to use the medication. If you stop taking finasteride, you will lose the hair you have regrown within twelve months. If you stop taking minoxidil, you will lose your new hair within three to four months, according to "Nurse's Drug Handbook 2010."

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