Medical Hair Loss Treatments

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

This medication is available in liquid or foam in a two-percent and a five-percent solution. An over-the-counter medication, it has been approved for the treatment of male and female pattern baldness and alopecia areata, temporary hair loss that usually occurs in small, round, smooth patches. Minoxidil is sprayed on or rubbed into your scalp twice a day to promote hair growth and prevent further hair loss. Some people who use minoxidil experience hair re-growth, their hair not falling out as much, or both in about six months. Although the new hair that grows is thin and short, growth is enough to cover bald spots. Known side effects include irritation of the scalp.

Finasteride is a pill that you take once a day prescribed to treat male-pattern baldness. It stops the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles. The effect of finasteride is a slower rate of hair loss and sometimes some new hair growth. Positive results may take several months and side effects include diminished sex drive and sexual function. There have been no proven effects of finasteride in women; the FDA has not approved its use for women. Since finasteride can cause serious birth defects, pregnant women should not take or handle tablets that are crushed or broken to prevent absorption of the drug.

Corticosteroids are injected into the scalp about one centimeter apart every four to six weeks to treat alopecia areata. This is the most common treatment in adults, and is sometimes prescribed in pill form for extensive hair loss. Some people experience hair growth after four weeks at the site of the injection. You can also put corticosteroid ointments and creams on your scalp but there's little evidence that they cause hair to grow and they may be less effective than injections. Additionally, they can be used at the same time as injections and with other medications such as minoxidil. Although rarely used because of the side effects, oral corticosteroids may also be taken.

Anthralin is available as either a cream or an ointment and is used for the treatment of long-term psoriasis and other skin conditions, but not for a severe outbreak of psoriasis. This medication is a synthetic, tarry substance that you apply daily in a thin layer to the psoriasis lesion and wash off, usually after 15 to 30 minutes. It's typically used to treat psoriasis, but doctors can prescribe it to treat other skin conditions. For cases of alopecia areata, anthralin may also work to stimulate new hair growth, which may take up to 12 weeks. Contact with normal skin or scalp should be avoided. Temporary side effects include redness or irritation.