What Do Doctors Prescribe for Thinning Hair?

Many studies have shown the effectiveness of minoxidil in treating hair loss. However, it does not work for everyone, since much of it depends on your age and the location or pattern of the hair loss. Though you may regain some hair growth, don’t expect to gain full hair regrowth.

Products containing either 2% or 5% minoxidil are considered safe, and depending on the strength of the solution, you will need to apply either once or twice daily.

It is normal to experience increased hair loss for the first 2-8 weeks of using minoxidil. Once new hair growth begins, hair loss should stop. Other possible side effects include:

• Irritation, which may cause the scalp to become:
  • Dry
  • Scaly
  • Itchy
  • Red
• Hair growth on your cheeks and forehead

Hair regrowth is a slow process and patience is necessary to see results.

You should apply minoxidil for 4 months up to a year to see if it works for you. One downside is that in order to maintain results, you will need to keep applying it. Once you stop using it, new hair will be shed within 2-4 months.

If you notice hair developing on your cheek and forehead:

• Try to apply minoxidil only to your scalp, avoiding other areas.
• Wash your face afterwards

Stop applying minoxidil if you develop scalp irritation.

A dermatologist may prescribe one of the following oral medications to treat male-pattern baldness and female-pattern hair loss:

• Spironolactone: Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a diuretic and for treating high blood pressure. Doctors have been prescribing spironolactone for decades to treat thinning of hair. However, as this medication can increase the potassium levels in the body, you should inform your doctor if you suffer from kidney or adrenal gland problems.
• Finasteride: Finasteride is an oral medication approved for hair loss in men but not for women. It works by improving the levels of the hormone testosterone.

Both these medications can cause birth defects in male children. Hence, dermatologists usually do not prescribe them to women of child-bearing age. If they do prescribe them, they generally recommend taking birth control measures.

These medications are mostly reserved for menopausal women who do not respond to treatment with minoxidil.

If medications such as minoxidil, spironolactone, and finasteride do not work for you or if you cannot take them, your dermatologist may suggest other treatment options, such as:

• At-home laser therapy. This involves the use of laser combs, helmets, and other devices that emit low-level laser light and stimulate hair growth.
• Platelet-rich plasma therapy. This involves injecting your own blood platelets into your scalp.
• Supplements. Biotin, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants may help your hair grow thicker. However, ask your dermatologist before taking any supplements because some of them may interact with medications you are already taking.
• Hair transplant. This may be an enticing option for both men and women who do not respond well to other treatment options to restore their hair growth.