When Will There Be a Cure for Hair Loss?

Over 60% of men and 40% of women will suffer from some stage of hair loss by the time they reach the age of forty. Pattern baldness (male and female) and alopecia are the two most common forms of hair fall, and a large percentage of women also suffer from severe thinning hair after pregnancy.

In a recent survey, over 80% of men and nearly 60% of women identified hair loss as their main concern. Going bald can be the most soul-sapping experience, and if truth be told, the vast majority would detest losing our hair. Baldness is definitely a problem – and unfortunately for many of us, it’s a problem that still doesn’t have a cure.

What is a cure for baldness?

A cure for baldness goes way and beyond a treatment that simply halts the hair loss process. A cure would demonstrate the ability to reverse the pattern of hair fall to its original state, through non-surgical means.

This is why it is essential to treat baldness as early as possible, in order to save as much as possible, and live longer with more hair.

Are we close to finding a cure?

Although scientific studies and research is ongoing, there is still no known cure for pattern baldness or alopecia. Every year we seem read about a new ‘revolutionary’ treatment that is set to cure the pattern of hair loss, but they never amount to anything of any value.

There are currently two FDA approved treatments available on the market: Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil (Regaine/Rogaine).

Finasteride, branded and marketed as Propecia, is a pill specifically designed to treat male pattern baldness. It should be noted that this pill is not a cure for hair loss, but rather a treatment that can slow down the rate of hair fall in men.

Minoxidil, branded and marketed under many names including Regaine (Rogaine USA version), is a topical solution designed to promote hair growth. Originally a treatment for high blood pressure, Minoxidil became FDA approved after patients noticed new hairs growing during their treatment period.

Neither Finasteride nor Minoxidil provide a cure for baldness, but both are the most potent options we currently have available. Both treatments come at the risk of severe side-effects.

From using Finasteride, many men have reported side-effects such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, headaches, skin rash, insomnia, and drowsiness. Male and female users of Minoxidil have noticed severe side-effects such as headaches, skin rash, weight-gain, sore ligaments, and high blood pressure.

This is why many hair loss sufferers are keen to avoid such harsh treatments. Some side-effects can continue after the patient has stopped the treatment, therefore it is vital that you always seek the advice from your doctor before using Finasteride or Minoxidil.

Are there other options for treating hair loss?

Unfortunately there are no other FDA approved treatments for hair fall, but there are other interesting options available.

Before we go into the other options, we should note that just because a product is FDA approved, this does not necessarily mean it is the most effective. For a product to label and market their brand as a ‘treatment’, it must be FDA approved, and to be FDA approved, it must have scientific evidence of treating a cause. It should also be noted that being FDA approved does NOT mean a product is safe from side-effects.

In finding the right solution, it is essential that three main points can be identified:
- What stage of hair loss are you at?
- What is your budget?
- What are you looking to realistically achieve?

If money is not an option, then you can try hair surgical procedures. Hair transplants are rapidly growing in popularity, but they cost between £10,000 - £30,000, depending on your individual requirements. However, hair transplants are still not guaranteed to work, therefore you will still be advised to take medication during and after the surgery.

Another option, and probably the most popular one to try, is hair health supplements. There are numerous ingredients and extracts that are scientifically proven to help slow down the pattern of hair fall and encourage the formation of healthy hair growth. Many multi-vitamin supplements such as HR23+, contain a key blend of effective hair beneficiary ingredients – and the great thing is, they’re safe and free of the nasty side-effects you would normally associate with Finasteride.

Using topical scalp serums, foams and shampoos is your final option, and one that many find the least effective. There is a number of topical formulas on the market with different theories, such as LA Science and Alpecin, but none have consistently proved to be as effective as the slow working Minoxidil. Therefore, it could be worth trying a few of these products, but with little expectation. The majority of people using topical solutions tend to use them in conjunction with hair health supplements.

By R. Moein