Medical Treatments for Hair Loss

Medical treatments are effective for male and female pattern baldness and for alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to destroy its own hair follicles.

Types

• FDA-approved medical treatments for hair loss include finasteride pills, minoxidil foams and liquids, anthralin cream, and injectable cortisone, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Treatments

• Finasteride pills are prescribed for men with pattern baldness. Over-the-counter minoxidil can be applied to the scalp to treat male and female pattern baldness as well as alopecia areata. Alopecia areata can also be treated by rubbing anthralin cream or injecting cortisone into affected areas.

Effects

• Finasteride blocks the body's ability to convert testosterone into a hormone that shrinks hair follicles, while minoxidil slows hair loss and promotes regrowth. Cortisone and anthralin promote new hair growth.

Time Frame

• It takes about 12 weeks for minoxidil to produce hair growth, and that growth stops when the medication is stopped. You'll see results from finasteride in three to four months. Cortisone injections take about four weeks, and anthralin cream takes effect in 12 weeks.

Warning

• Finasteride is not approved for women, in part because it can cause severe defects in male fetuses if the woman even handles crushed or broken tablets.