Hair Loss Pill and Other Hair Loss Treatments

Baldness has no cure, whether it's permanent or temporary. Fortunately, there are treatments that promote the growth of new hair and prevent further loss. This article will discuss two of the most commonly known treatment options. Here is a basic guide on the hair loss pill and corticosteroids. 

Finasteride

Finasteride is an orally administered hair loss pill that treats male pattern baldness. This is the only hair loss pill that has been given an FDA approval. A number of studies have shown that finasteride brings long-range effectiveness and safety for men of all ages and races who are being treated for hair loss problems.

Finasteride hair loss pill is sometimes used alone or in combination with a topical treatment. This combination is to ensure that the topical solution complements hair transplantation. Finasteride hair loss pill is also effective in stemming hair loss and encouraging new hair growth. However, for men with widespread hair loss, finasteride may provide little benefit or none at all.

Finasteride does its work at the molecular level to stop the loss of hair and stimulate new growth. This hair loss pill selectively stops the activity headed by an enzyme that converts the male hormone testosterone into a form that is active in the follicles of the hair.

It should be noted that this hair loss pill is not prescribed to women, most especially those who are pregnant. As a matter of fact, finasteride is considered dangerous for a women of childbearing age. Pregnant women are advised against handling broken or crushed finasteride tablets. This is because when a pregnant woman absorbs the drug into her system, it will cause serious birth abnormalities in male fetuses.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are also treatment options for alopecia areata. They are powerful anti-inflammatory medications similar to a hormone called cortisol, which is produced by the body. There are three ways that corticosteroids are administered:

• Local injections. Corticosteroids are directly injected into hairless patches on the scalp to stimulate the growth of hair. Injected corticosteroids work by eliminating confused immune cells and allowing hair to grow. Injections are typically done monthly. Results are usually observed after 1 or 2 months. Side effects include: transient pain, mild swelling, changes in pigmentation in some cases,  and small indentations on the skin that go away when injections are stopped.
  
• Oral corticosteroids. These are usually used in more extensive cases of alopecia areata, but only occasionally and for shorter periods of time. This is due to observations that oral corticosteroids have negative side effects, including hypertension and cataracts.
  
• Topical ointments. This type of corticosteroids are in ointment and cream forms, and are rubbed directly on the affected area. Unfortunately, corticosteroid ointments and creams are not as effective as injections. That's why these topical solutions are used to complement treatments like minoxidil and anthralin.