Topical Hair Loss Treatment

Numerous topical hair loss treatments are available; however, only two of the treatments are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Treatments Approved by FDA

• Rogaine and Propecia can help slow or stop hair loss. Rogaine is a topical solution applied to thinning hair around the crown area of the head. It is designed to increase hair growth. Women receive better results using Rogaine. Propecia is an oral treatment used to assist in restoring hair loss caused by alopecia areata. Women should not use Propecia.

Topical Treatments

• Dihydrotestosterone (or DHT, which is the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness) blockers, azelaic acid, superoxide dismutase, provillus, saw palmetto, progesterone, nettle root extract, para-aminobenzoic-acid and procerin are topical treatments available for hair loss.

Forms

• Treatment can be in the form of pills to be taken orally, or they may be solutions requiring application directly to the balding area. The topical solutions are creams and oils.

Do They Work?

• Topical treatments used in conjunction with FDA-approved Rogaine and Propecia may be effective in stopping hair loss and assisting with hair regrowth.

Results

• Positive results with topical treatments have not been proven.