Hair Loss Treatments & The Side Effects
When deciding on which hair loss treatment is right for you, one of the main considerations is always what side effects might there be. Approved treatment options approved by the FDA are limited to hair loss drugs along with low level laser therapy.
Rogaine / Minoxidil
Minoxidil was originally developed in the late 1950's to treat uclers! However in trials, the compound was found not to cure ulcers, but did prove to be a powerful vasodilator. As a result the FDA approved Minoxidil (with the trade name 'Loniten') in the form of oral tablets to treat high blood pressure in 1979. Further studies over the next 10 years showed an unexpected side effect of hair growth! The effect of Minoxidil on hair loss prevention was so clear that in the 1980's, physicians started prescribing to their hair loss patients. In August 1988 the FDA finally approved the drug for treating hair loss in men (women in 1991) under the trade name Rogaine. The agency concluded that although "the product will not work for everyone", 39% of the men studied had "moderate to dense hair growth on the crown of the head".
Side Effects Of Minoxidil
Minoxidil does have some common side effects. These include dizziness, drowsiness and temporary swelling. Other less common side effects include nausea, breast pain/tenderness and changes in the colour, length or thickness of body or facial hair. This last side effect is the most potentially worrying side effect for women, which is why Minoxidil is normally recommended in lower doses for women. Allergic reactions to the Minoxidil can lead to hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face.
Propecia/ Finasteride
Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia among others, is a medication used mainly to treat an enlarged prostate or hair loss in men. Finasteride is a 5a-reductase inhibitor, and therefore an antiandrogen. It works by decreasing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a known cause hair follicles to shrink. By the age of 50, over half of men will have some type of DHT-related hair loss. Finasteride was FDA approved in 1997 for the treatment of male pattern hair loss.
Side Effects Of Finasteride
Finasteride, is a prescription only medication for men, which can lead to some quite harmful side effects in a small percentage of users. Finasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment available, but the common side effects of the drug are impotence, a low libido/sex drive, decrease in semen production and ejaculation problems. For men already suffering from hair loss, these sexual side effects can have a devastating effect on mental health. A less common side effect is sore, swollen or tender breasts.
The Alternative To Drugs
Low-Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) has been pioneered for hereditary hair loss. The lasers work by using safe, nourishing low level laser light energy to stimulate the hair follicles at a cellular level. This helps to promote hair growth and extend the hair’s natural growth cycle. The lasers emit light within the visible light spectrum which is commonly called near-infrared or red light. The wavelength of light that is emitted is safe to be used for this treatment and has no harmful side effects. Hair loss laser devices do not have the capacity to reach higher levels of power and don’t produce heat, so there is no risk the devices will cause hair removal!
Low-Level Laser Treatment - Zero Side Effects
This drug-free hair loss treatment has shown no adverse side effects.
How to Get Thicker-Looking Hair Now
A simple way to instantly reverse the appearance of hair loss is to use DermMatch. DermMatch can be very helpful as part of the recovery since DermMatch instantly disguises hair loss. DermMatch is loaded with botanical ingredients that coat every existing hair shaft, making thin hairs stand up and spread out for spectacular fullness.
Rogaine / Minoxidil
Minoxidil was originally developed in the late 1950's to treat uclers! However in trials, the compound was found not to cure ulcers, but did prove to be a powerful vasodilator. As a result the FDA approved Minoxidil (with the trade name 'Loniten') in the form of oral tablets to treat high blood pressure in 1979. Further studies over the next 10 years showed an unexpected side effect of hair growth! The effect of Minoxidil on hair loss prevention was so clear that in the 1980's, physicians started prescribing to their hair loss patients. In August 1988 the FDA finally approved the drug for treating hair loss in men (women in 1991) under the trade name Rogaine. The agency concluded that although "the product will not work for everyone", 39% of the men studied had "moderate to dense hair growth on the crown of the head".
Side Effects Of Minoxidil
Minoxidil does have some common side effects. These include dizziness, drowsiness and temporary swelling. Other less common side effects include nausea, breast pain/tenderness and changes in the colour, length or thickness of body or facial hair. This last side effect is the most potentially worrying side effect for women, which is why Minoxidil is normally recommended in lower doses for women. Allergic reactions to the Minoxidil can lead to hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face.
Propecia/ Finasteride
Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia among others, is a medication used mainly to treat an enlarged prostate or hair loss in men. Finasteride is a 5a-reductase inhibitor, and therefore an antiandrogen. It works by decreasing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a known cause hair follicles to shrink. By the age of 50, over half of men will have some type of DHT-related hair loss. Finasteride was FDA approved in 1997 for the treatment of male pattern hair loss.
Side Effects Of Finasteride
Finasteride, is a prescription only medication for men, which can lead to some quite harmful side effects in a small percentage of users. Finasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment available, but the common side effects of the drug are impotence, a low libido/sex drive, decrease in semen production and ejaculation problems. For men already suffering from hair loss, these sexual side effects can have a devastating effect on mental health. A less common side effect is sore, swollen or tender breasts.
The Alternative To Drugs
Low-Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) has been pioneered for hereditary hair loss. The lasers work by using safe, nourishing low level laser light energy to stimulate the hair follicles at a cellular level. This helps to promote hair growth and extend the hair’s natural growth cycle. The lasers emit light within the visible light spectrum which is commonly called near-infrared or red light. The wavelength of light that is emitted is safe to be used for this treatment and has no harmful side effects. Hair loss laser devices do not have the capacity to reach higher levels of power and don’t produce heat, so there is no risk the devices will cause hair removal!
Low-Level Laser Treatment - Zero Side Effects
This drug-free hair loss treatment has shown no adverse side effects.
How to Get Thicker-Looking Hair Now
A simple way to instantly reverse the appearance of hair loss is to use DermMatch. DermMatch can be very helpful as part of the recovery since DermMatch instantly disguises hair loss. DermMatch is loaded with botanical ingredients that coat every existing hair shaft, making thin hairs stand up and spread out for spectacular fullness.