Hair loss: Should I take medicine to regrow hair?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Hair loss: Should I take medicine to regrow hair?
Get the facts
Your options
- Use medicine to help stop hair loss and
possibly regrow new hair.
- Do not use medicine to treat hair
loss.
This decision is about whether to use medicine to treat
hair loss. If you want information on surgery, see:
- Hair transplantation surgery.
Key points to remember
- Treatment with medicines may slow
hair loss and help to regrow hair. But you may not get
as much hair growth as you expect.
- You must keep taking the medicine, or any regrown hair will
fall out.
- Your insurance probably will not cover the medicine, and the
medicines can be costly.
- It may be very dangerous to take these
medicines if you are pregnant or have certain health conditions, such as heart
problems.
- You may feel that the possibility of regrowing hair and
feeling better about how you look is more important than the limitations of
hair loss treatment.
FAQs
Medicines to treat hair loss caused by heredity
include:
- Minoxidil. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is
available without a prescription. You spray or rub it into your scalp 2 times a
day. It can be used by both men and women.
- Finasteride. Finasteride (Propecia) is available by
prescription. It's a pill that you take once a day. Finasteride has not been
proved effective in women and is not approved for women by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).1 Finasteride should never
be taken or handled by women who are or may become pregnant, because it can
cause birth defects.
Medicine for treating inherited hair loss slows thinning
of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and
enlarging existing hairs.
With these medicines, hair coverage
tends to improve on the top of the head but not on the forehead area.
How well finasteride or minoxidil works depends on your age
and the location of the hair loss. These medicines don't work for everyone, and
you should not expect to regrow a full head of hair.
Both
medicines must be used daily. It may take 6 months of treatment before you see
results.
These medicines slow thinning of the hair and increase
coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs. If you
stop using the medicine, any hair that has grown in will gradually be lost.
Within 6 to 12 months after you stop using the medicine, your scalp will most
likely look the same as it did before treatment.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil slows hair loss and grows new
hair. In men, the 5% solution appears to be more effective than the 2%
solution, but it costs more and may have more side effects.2
Minoxidil seems to work best on people younger
than 30 years of age who have been losing hair for less than 5 years.3
Finasteride
Finasteride is recognized as a successful therapy for inherited hair loss
for men. Research reports that it slows hair loss on the scalp and helps regrow
hair.3, 4, 5 But bald spots may not be completely covered, and it may take
from a few months to a year before you see results.
Side effects of minoxidil include skin irritation, dandruff, and an itchy
scalp. In women, minoxidil may cause facial hair growth, especially on the
forehead and cheeks. If you have heart problems, ask your doctor before you use
this medicine.
Finasteride should not be taken or handled by women
who are or may become pregnant, because it can cause birth defects. Possible
side effects in men include sexual problems, such as trouble getting an
erection.
The disadvantages of using these medicines for hair loss include the
following:
- The medicines may not work. You should not
expect to regrow a full head of hair. It may take from a few months to a year
before you see results.
- You must take the medicine every day. If
you stop, any regrown hair will fall out, and you may actually end up with less
hair than when you started treatment.
- The medicines are costly and usually aren't covered by
insurance.
There are no risks to your health if you decide not to use medicine for
hair loss. But for some people, there may be a risk to their well-being and
self-esteem if they feel that hair loss has affected their appearance.
If you don't use medicine, your hair loss will probably continue. But
medicine doesn't always work, and hair loss may continue despite treatment with
medicine.
Compare your options
| | | |
|---|
What is usually involved? |
| |
What are the benefits? |
| |
What are the risks and side effects? |
| |
Treat hair loss with
medicine Treat hair loss with
medicine - You take or apply medicine every day to stop hair loss and to try
to regrow hair.
- Medicine can stop hair loss and may lead to new hair growth. This
may help some people feel better about the way they look.
- Finasteride should not be taken or handled by women who are or
may become pregnant. It can cause birth defects. Side effects in men may
include sexual problems.
- Side effects of minoxidil include skin
irritation, dandruff, and an itchy scalp. In women, minoxidil may cause facial
hair growth.
- Hair loss medicines may have serious side effects when
taken with other medicines or if you are pregnant or have health conditions
such as a heart problem.
- The medicine may not work.
- It can take a few months
or a year to see any results.
- If you stop taking the medicine, the
regrown hair will fall out and you may end up with less hair than before the
treatment.
Don't treat hair loss
with medicine Don't treat hair loss
with medicine - You do nothing to treat the hair loss, or you think about other
choices, such as surgery or hairpieces.
- You won't have to pay for medicine to treat the hair loss.
- You won't have the risk of side effects from the medicine.
- You may continue to lose your hair. This may affect the way some
people feel about the way they look.
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
My father
and grandfather are both bald. I decided to use Rogaine to see if it would slow
down my hair loss. I don't want to look like my dad just yet!
My hair
began to thin when I was 28 years old. Now I am 44 and the top of my head is
bald. Recently, I considered using medication to treat my hair loss and see if
any hair would regrow. After reading the literature and talking to my doctor, I
decided not to take medication because it is unlikely to make a huge difference
in my hair—and I don't want to take medication forever!
My hair is very important to me and my
appearance. I noticed that my hair was starting to thin. And because baldness
runs in our family, I decided to take an aggressive approach to reduce my
chances for more hair loss. I am willing to take a pill every day, and to pay
for it.
I have noticed some thinning throughout my
scalp. Although this is disturbing to me, I have decided not to take medication
for the hair loss. It seems that medication works best for young males, and I
am just not willing to spend the time or money on medication that is not likely
to help me.
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use medicine for inherited hair loss
Reasons not to use medicine for inherited hair loss
My hair loss causes me a lot of stress or unhappiness.
My hair loss doesn't bother me too much.
More important
Equally important
More important
I am willing to pay for the treatment over the long term.
I do not want to pay for treatment over the long term.
More important
Equally important
More important
I realize that the treatment may not work for me, but I want to try it anyway.
I don't want to try the treatment if there is a chance it won't work.
More important
Equally important
More important
I will be happy if I can stop the hair loss and some hair grows back.
Using medicine will only be worth it to me if I will have a full head of hair.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking medicine to treat the hair loss..
NOT taking medicine to treat the hair loss.
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
What else do you need to make your decision?
1.
If I use medicine to treat my hair loss, I will end up with a full head of hair.
2.
If I stop taking the medicine, my new hair growth will fall out.
3.
I should check with my doctor before I take hair loss medicines.
1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Your summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Credits
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
References
Citations
- Springer K, et al. (2003). Common hair loss disorder.
American Family Physician, 68(1): 93–102.
- Olsen EA, et al. (2002). A randomized clinical trial
of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the
treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 47: 377–385.
- Habif TP (2004). Hair diseases. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy,
4th ed., pp. 834–863. Philadelphia: Mosby.
- Whiting DA, et al. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability
of finasteride 1 mg in men aged 41 to 60 years with male pattern hair loss.
European Journal of Dermatology, 13(2):
150–160.
- Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Group (2002).
Long-term (5-year) multinational experience with finasteride 1 mg in the
treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. European Journal of Dermatology, 12(1): 38–49.
Hair loss: Should I take medicine to regrow hair?
You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
- Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
- Use medicine to help stop hair loss and
possibly regrow new hair.
- Do not use medicine to treat hair
loss.
This decision is about whether to use medicine to treat
hair loss. If you want information on surgery, see:
- Hair transplantation surgery.
Key points to remember
- Treatment with medicines may slow
hair loss and help to regrow hair. But you may not get
as much hair growth as you expect.
- You must keep taking the medicine, or any regrown hair will
fall out.
- Your insurance probably will not cover the medicine, and the
medicines can be costly.
- It may be very dangerous to take these
medicines if you are pregnant or have certain health conditions, such as heart
problems.
- You may feel that the possibility of regrowing hair and
feeling better about how you look is more important than the limitations of
hair loss treatment.
FAQs
What medicines are available to treat inherited hair loss?
Medicines to treat hair loss caused by heredity
include:
- Minoxidil. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is
available without a prescription. You spray or rub it into your scalp 2 times a
day. It can be used by both men and women.
- Finasteride. Finasteride (Propecia) is available by
prescription. It's a pill that you take once a day. Finasteride has not been
proved effective in women and is not approved for women by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).1 Finasteride should never
be taken or handled by women who are or may become pregnant, because it can
cause birth defects.
Medicine for treating inherited hair loss slows thinning
of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and
enlarging existing hairs.
With these medicines, hair coverage
tends to improve on the top of the head but not on the forehead area.
How effective are these medicines in treating inherited hair loss?
How well finasteride or minoxidil works depends on your age
and the location of the hair loss. These medicines don't work for everyone, and
you should not expect to regrow a full head of hair.
Both
medicines must be used daily. It may take 6 months of treatment before you see
results.
These medicines slow thinning of the hair and increase
coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs. If you
stop using the medicine, any hair that has grown in will gradually be lost.
Within 6 to 12 months after you stop using the medicine, your scalp will most
likely look the same as it did before treatment.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil slows hair loss and grows new
hair. In men, the 5% solution appears to be more effective than the 2%
solution, but it costs more and may have more side effects.2
Minoxidil seems to work best on people younger
than 30 years of age who have been losing hair for less than 5 years.3
Finasteride
Finasteride is recognized as a successful therapy for inherited hair loss
for men. Research reports that it slows hair loss on the scalp and helps regrow
hair.3, 4, 5 But bald spots may not be completely covered, and it may take
from a few months to a year before you see results.
What are the side effects of these medicines?
Side effects of minoxidil include skin irritation, dandruff, and an itchy
scalp. In women, minoxidil may cause facial hair growth, especially on the
forehead and cheeks. If you have heart problems, ask your doctor before you use
this medicine.
Finasteride should not be taken or handled by women
who are or may become pregnant, because it can cause birth defects. Possible
side effects in men include sexual problems, such as trouble getting an
erection.
What are the disadvantages of using these medicines?
The disadvantages of using these medicines for hair loss include the
following:
- The medicines may not work. You should not
expect to regrow a full head of hair. It may take from a few months to a year
before you see results.
- You must take the medicine every day. If
you stop, any regrown hair will fall out, and you may actually end up with less
hair than when you started treatment.
- The medicines are costly and usually aren't covered by
insurance.
What are the risks of not using these medicines?
There are no risks to your health if you decide not to use medicine for
hair loss. But for some people, there may be a risk to their well-being and
self-esteem if they feel that hair loss has affected their appearance.
If you don't use medicine, your hair loss will probably continue. But
medicine doesn't always work, and hair loss may continue despite treatment with
medicine.
2. Compare your options
| | Treat hair loss with
medicine | Don't treat hair loss
with medicine |
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - You take or apply medicine every day to stop hair loss and to try
to regrow hair.
| - You do nothing to treat the hair loss, or you think about other
choices, such as surgery or hairpieces.
|
| What are the benefits? | - Medicine can stop hair loss and may lead to new hair growth. This
may help some people feel better about the way they look.
| - You won't have to pay for medicine to treat the hair loss.
- You won't have the risk of side effects from the medicine.
|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - Finasteride should not be taken or handled by women who are or
may become pregnant. It can cause birth defects. Side effects in men may
include sexual problems.
- Side effects of minoxidil include skin
irritation, dandruff, and an itchy scalp. In women, minoxidil may cause facial
hair growth.
- Hair loss medicines may have serious side effects when
taken with other medicines or if you are pregnant or have health conditions
such as a heart problem.
- The medicine may not work.
- It can take a few months
or a year to see any results.
- If you stop taking the medicine, the
regrown hair will fall out and you may end up with less hair than before the
treatment.
| - You may continue to lose your hair. This may affect the way some
people feel about the way they look.
|
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
Personal stories about treating hair loss with medicine
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"My father and grandfather are both bald. I decided to use Rogaine to see if it would slow down my hair loss. I don't want to look like my dad just yet!"
"My hair began to thin when I was 28 years old. Now I am 44 and the top of my head is bald. Recently, I considered using medication to treat my hair loss and see if any hair would regrow. After reading the literature and talking to my doctor, I decided not to take medication because it is unlikely to make a huge difference in my hair—and I don't want to take medication forever!"
"My hair is very important to me and my appearance. I noticed that my hair was starting to thin. And because baldness runs in our family, I decided to take an aggressive approach to reduce my chances for more hair loss. I am willing to take a pill every day, and to pay for it."
"I have noticed some thinning throughout my scalp. Although this is disturbing to me, I have decided not to take medication for the hair loss. It seems that medication works best for young males, and I am just not willing to spend the time or money on medication that is not likely to help me."
3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use medicine for inherited hair loss
Reasons not to use medicine for inherited hair loss
My hair loss causes me a lot of stress or unhappiness.
My hair loss doesn't bother me too much.
More important
Equally important
More important
I am willing to pay for the treatment over the long term.
I do not want to pay for treatment over the long term.
More important
Equally important
More important
I realize that the treatment may not work for me, but I want to try it anyway.
I don't want to try the treatment if there is a chance it won't work.
More important
Equally important
More important
I will be happy if I can stop the hair loss and some hair grows back.
Using medicine will only be worth it to me if I will have a full head of hair.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking medicine to treat the hair loss..
NOT taking medicine to treat the hair loss.
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
If I use medicine to treat my hair loss, I will end up with a full head of hair.
That's right. The medicines don't always work. And if they do, you may not get as much hair growth as you expect. Hair coverage tends to improve on the top of the head but not on the forehead area.
2.
If I stop taking the medicine, my new hair growth will fall out.
That's right. You must take the medicines every day, over the long term. Otherwise, any regrown hair will fall out, and you may actually end up with less hair than when you started treatment.
3.
I should check with my doctor before I take hair loss medicines.
That's right. You should talk with your doctor before you take hair loss medicines. These medicines may cause serious side effects if you take them with other medicines, are pregnant, or have certain health conditions.
Decide what's next
1.
Do you understand the options available to you?
2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Credits
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
References
Citations
- Springer K, et al. (2003). Common hair loss disorder.
American Family Physician, 68(1): 93–102.
- Olsen EA, et al. (2002). A randomized clinical trial
of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the
treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 47: 377–385.
- Habif TP (2004). Hair diseases. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy,
4th ed., pp. 834–863. Philadelphia: Mosby.
- Whiting DA, et al. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability
of finasteride 1 mg in men aged 41 to 60 years with male pattern hair loss.
European Journal of Dermatology, 13(2):
150–160.
- Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Group (2002).
Long-term (5-year) multinational experience with finasteride 1 mg in the
treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. European Journal of Dermatology, 12(1): 38–49.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Last Updated:June 17, 2008
Springer K, et al. (2003). Common hair loss disorder.
American Family Physician, 68(1): 93–102.
Olsen EA, et al. (2002). A randomized clinical trial
of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the
treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 47: 377–385.
Habif TP (2004). Hair diseases. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy,
4th ed., pp. 834–863. Philadelphia: Mosby.
Whiting DA, et al. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability
of finasteride 1 mg in men aged 41 to 60 years with male pattern hair loss.
European Journal of Dermatology, 13(2):
150–160.
Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Group (2002).
Long-term (5-year) multinational experience with finasteride 1 mg in the
treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. European Journal of Dermatology, 12(1): 38–49.