Medical Hair Restoration

Medical hair restoration in the literal sense includes the hair loss treatment which depends upon the use of medicines.

Unusual hair loss both in men and women is caused by the alterations in the androgen metabolism. Androgen is a male hormone which has a major role to play in regulation of hair growth or hair loss. The dermal papilla is the most important structure in a hair follicle which is responsible for hair-growth. It is the dermal papilla, the cell of which divides and differentiates to give rise to a new hair follicle. The dermal papilla is in direct contact with blood capillaries in the skin to derive the nutrients for the growing hair follicle. Research has shown that dermal papilla got many receptors for androgens and there are studies which have confirmed that males have more androgenic receptors in dermal papilla of their follicles as compared to females.

The metabolism of androgen involves an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase which combines with the hormone androgen(testosterone) to form the DHT (Dihydro-testosterone). DHT is a natural metabolite of our body which is the root cause of hair loss.

Proper nutrition is critical for the maintenance of the hair. When DHT gets into the hair follicles and roots (dermal papilla), it prevents necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals from providing nourishment needed to sustain life in the hairs of those follicles. Consequently, hair follicles are reproduced at a much slower rate. This shortens their growing stage (anagen phase) and or lengthens their resting stage (telogen phase) of the follicle. DHT also causes hair follicle to shrink and get progressively smaller and finer. This process is known as miniaturization and causes the hair to ultimately fall. DHT is responsible for 95% of hair loss. Some individuals both men and women are genetically pre-disposed to produce more DHT than the normal individuals. DHT also creates a wax-like substance around the hair roots. It is this accumulation of DHT inside the hair follicles and roots which is one of the primary causes of male and female pattern hair loss.

Blocking the synthesis of DHT at molecular level forms the basis for the treatment of MPHL ( male pattern hair loss) and FPHL ( female pattern hair loss). There are many natural DHT blockers and a number of drugs which are used for medical hair restoration.

Let us see the main drugs which are available for medical hair restoration in men and women.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil has the distinction of the first drug being used for promoting the hair restoration. This medical hair restoration treatment drug was used earlier as an oral antihypertensive drug, but after its hypertrichosis (excessive body hair) effects were noticed, a topical solution of the drug was tested for its hair growing potential. Minoxidil was then approved as medical hair restoration treatment drug for men by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1988 as a 2% solution, followed by 5% solution in 1997. For women, the 2% solution was approved in 1991. Though 5% solution is not approved for women, it is used as a medical hair restoration treatment by many dermatologists worldwide. Both solutions are available without a prescription in the US.

Mechanism of action

Minoxidil is thought to have a direct mitogenic effect on epidermal cells, as has been observed both in vitro in vivo. Though the mechanism of its action for causing cell proliferation is not very clear, minoxidil is thought to prevent intracellular calcium entry. Calcium normally enhances epidermal growth factors to inhibit hair growth, and Minoxidil by getting converted to minoxidil sulfate acts as a potassium channel agonist and enhances potassium ion permeability to prevent calcium ions from entering into cells.

Thought the exact action of minoxidil preventing the formation of DHT has not been shown but the drug has been shown to have a stabilizing effect on the hair loss. The result of the drug takes about few months time to be evident since it is the time which is necessary for restoring the normal growth cycle of hair fibers.

Use of Minoxidil has approved by FDA for men (Norwood II-V) and women (Ludwig I-II ) older than 18 years. It is used as a medical hair restoration treatment either for frontal or vertex scalp thinning. It brings about an increase in density which is mostly caused by conversion of miniaturized hairs into terminal hairs rather than a stimulated de novo re-growth. The hair loss becomes stabilized after continued use of drug, which takes about a year's time for the medical hair restoration treatment to show its complete results.

Hair loss restoration treatment with 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate and 5% topical minoxidil are found to be superior to minoxidil alone. Topical minoxidil is very well tolerated and adverse effects are mainly dermatologic. The most frequent adverse effect is an irritant contact dermatitis.

Though minnoxidil does not have any effect on blood pressure, it should be used with caution in patient with cardiovascular diseases. It is also contraindicated in pregnant and nursing mothers.

Finasteride

The drug finasteride was earlier used as treatment for prostate enlargement, under the medical name Proscar. But in 1998, it was approved by FDA for the Medical hair loss restoration in MPHL.

Mechanism of Action

Medical hair restoration treatments with Finasteride depends upon its specific action as an inhibitor of type II 5α-reductase, the intracellular enzyme that converts male hormone androgen into DHT (Dihydro Testosterone). Its action results in significant decrease in serum and tissue DHT levels in even in concentration as low as 0.2mg. Finnasteride is able to stabilize hair loss in 80% of patient with Vertex hair loss and in 70% of patients with frontal hair loss. Most of these patients are able to grow more hair or retain the ones they have. The peculiar thing about Propecia is that its effect is more pronounced in crown area than in the front. The hair that grow after the medical hair restoration treatments are better in texture and are thicker, more like the terminal hair.

The best thing about medical hair restoration treatment with the finnasteride is that it is well tolerated and has minimal side effects. Sexual dysfunction (decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and decreased semen volume) are observed in about 3.8% of cases. But these side-effects subside within few months of Medical hair restoration treatments or disappear within a week's time as soon as the treatment is stopped.

It generally requires about 6 to 12 months for the m edical hair restoration treatment to be apparent but the side effects appear earlier. So even after the medicine is stopped, there is no possibility of loosing the hair that has been gained, but the side effects are sure to disappear. Many hair restoration surgeons find Propecia (finasteride) to act as an excellent adjunct to the surgical hair restoration. There are several benefits of this kind of combination therapy. As the Medical hair restoration with Propecia brings about a hair re-growth in the crown area, it has a complementary action; it allows the surgeon to have more donor hair to be available for frontal hair transplant and design the hairline at his own will. Since finasteride has no effect in the frontal area of the scalp, it does not have any interference with the surgical hair restoration.

Combination Therapy

There are reports which say that use of finasteride and topical minoxidil combination therapy as a Medical hair restoration treatment is of more advantage in cases of mild to moderate MPHL. Further studies are in progress. Many hair restoration doctors have already started the use of combination therapy in order to obtain better hair growth.

Anti Androgen Therapy

For women with hyperandrogonism( with increased levels of androgen) who do not respond well to minoxidil, antiandrogen therapy is another option of Medical hair restoration. In UK the most commonly used anti-androgen for women is CPA (cyproterone acetate), which is used in combination with ethinyl-estradiol.

However, in United States, where CPA is not available, the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone is the alternative choice of hair restoration doctors.

Flutamide

Medical hair restoration with flutamide has shown improvement as hair loss restoration treatment in women with hirsutism. For hyperandrogenic premenopausal women, flutamide is a better medical hair restoration agent than both the CPA or finestride.

Hair loss restoration management is a structured process which depends upon many factors along with the medical hair restoration. For more details on the topic you can refer to section medical hair restoration or article on male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss at our site hairtransplantadvice.com.

Ben Stewart

---

Male Hair Loss Treatment - What Options Do You Have?

Male hair loss treatments are big business. That is because... Read More

Laser Hair Removal Info

In our own efforts to seek the best quick painless... Read More

Laser Hair Removal Tips

So you have decided to immerse yourself in the fantasy... Read More

Guide to Shaving Pubic Hair

Getting the decision to start shaving your pubic hair is... Read More

How To Nip The Problem In The Bud... Prevent Hair Loss

Hair loss is universal problem and millions of people worldwide... Read More

Is Hair Loss Shampoo Any Good For Me?

There are many shampoos on the market that are advertised... Read More

What! Female Hair Loss Treatments!

Many people think that hair loss is a male problem,... Read More

Common Treatments For Hair Loss In Women

Much has been said and written about modern day hair... Read More

Develop A Strategy For Dealing With Premature Hair Loss

The fact you are reading this probably indicates you have... Read More

Propecia

One a day will keep the depression away.To many men... Read More

Everything You Wanted To Know About Hair

In order to treat hair loss successfully, it is necessary... Read More

Hair Removal Products and Services - What You Should Know

There are places you should go and places you shouldn't... Read More

The Truth About Hair Loss

Male Pattern BaldnessOn average, there are 90,000 to 150,000 hairs... Read More

Menopause and Hair Loss

The onset of menopause can often lead to hair loss... Read More

Ways to Treat Baldness

So, you've just looked in the mirror and realized that... Read More

It?s Hard To Determine Which Hair Growth Treatments Are The Best

There are so many hair growth treatments on the market... Read More

Coping With Male Pattern Baldness

Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is by far the most... Read More

Laser Hair Removal

There are many different techniques to remove unwanted hair. Some... Read More

Laser Hair Treatment - 10 Things You Must Know About Getting A Good Laser Hair Removal Service

Laser hair removal is supposed to be a safe process,... Read More

Hair Loss, Hair Care Tips, Home Remedies and Products!

A healthy lifestyle supplemented with proper diet is the magic... Read More

I?ve Noticed My Hair Thinning ? What Can I Do?

If you notice your hair thinning, this might not be... Read More

Natural Hair Loss Product

Hair is a crucial part of our identity. Although we... Read More

Waxing Instructions -- Waxing with Hard Wax

Whether you are a professional or a home user it... Read More

Hair Loss - The Reasons

General: Hair is constantly going through cycles of growth, resting,... Read More

Dont Lose Hair Because Of Poor Grooming

One of the most common reasons why men and women... Read More

Laser Hair Removal New York

One thing is very obvious. You wouldn't be reading this... Read More

After WLS: Silica Vitamin Helps Slow Hair Loss

The question of hair loss comes up all the time... Read More

The Cause of Hair Loss

Normally, about 10 percent of the hair on your head... Read More

Herbal Hair Loss Remedies For External Use

In a separate article in this series we looked at... Read More

Hair Loss Solutions - How to Help Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Hair

Hair loss and male-pattern baldness is an affliction suffered by... Read More

Do You Know These Facts About Hair Loss?

The causes of hair loss are plenty including diseases, nutritional... Read More

Hair Loss In Women - The Role of DHT & Sebum

Hair Loss In Women - The Role of DHT &... Read More

Removing Pubic Hair Methods

Shaving is the most common removing pubic hair method. However,... Read More