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Though no cure for hair loss exists to date, Non-surgical solutions such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) can be effective to slow down, stop, or even reverse the effects of male pattern baldness in some men.

Since these hair loss drugs are better at preventing the progression of male pattern baldness, many young men in the very early stages of balding have started to take Propecia (finasteride) in hopes to stop it in its tracks before it gets out of hand. But how effective is Propecia in young men trying to stop genetics from destroying precious hair follicles?

Recently, a young 21 year old male who recently started experiencing thinning hair asked this very question on our discussion forum. To learn how effective Propecia is at fighting genetic baldness in young men and to offer your input, you are encouraged to visit “Propecia for early stages of hair loss”.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Technorati Tags: hair loss, male pattern baldness, balding, Propecia, finasteride, thinning hair, baldness, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

I have two questions concerning long-term hair restoration goals. Regarding medications, doesn’t Propecia lose its effectiveness over time? Also, what happens when patients’ donor hair starts to thin? I was told that hair from the “safe zone” eventually becomes susceptible to Male Pattern Baldness. If these things are true, how can anyone guarantee lasting results?

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Cam Simmons of Toronto, Canada, who is a highly esteemed member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

I know some patients who have taken Propecia (finasteride) since 1997 (before they met me) who feel that they haven’t lost more hair, and some who have had a slow decline.

Some hair follicles in the donor area may be affected by DHT, but most aren’t in most men. Take a look at the seniors you meet or pass in a day. In a few, you can see through their hair on the sides, but not in most. Some men can get generalized thinning of all of their hair in advanced age, called senile alopecia.

I just did a touch-up hair transplant for a 68 year-old man who had 4 sessions from 1976 to 1980 and the transplanted hair was still there. His hair was about 2 inches long, and the rows and rows of punch graft scars did not show. The scars made up about half of his 9mm wide, 30cm long donor strip, but we still managed to get 1408 grafts.

This informative article was written by Dr. Michael Meshkin of Newport Beach, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

Finasteride (Propecia), an oral medication available by prescription only, has been introduced to the market in the past decade. Finasteride is approved only for use by men. Through scientific studies, it has been shown to regrow hair in some men and stop hair loss in an even higher percentage. Finasteride works by decreasing the formation of DHT, a hormone responsible in large for male pattern hair loss, while not reducing testosterone, the overall male hormone responsible for masculinity. Therefore, any side effects that may involve male sexual function are mild and occur in less than 2% of all patients.

Finasteride has been available for over 10 years and has been shown to be somewhat safe and effective. Finasteride (Propecia) works best for early and moderate hair loss, but it may also help patients with more advanced hair loss to preserve their remaining hair, and its use is suggested by hair restoration surgeons as an effective medication to slow down or reverse male pattern hair loss in many men. It is often used as a complimentary treatment for hair transplant patients.

Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) has been around for over 15 years and is helpful in slowing down hair loss, but less effective in helping new hair to grow. A higher concentration (5% solution) of minoxidil is now available for men and has been shown to be more effective than the 2% solution. 5% minoxidil solution is generally not recommended for use by women because it may stimulate the growth of facial hair, and also because at least one study suggests that it is not more effective than the 2% in females.

Our popular hair loss forum community includes dozens of active patient and physician members devoted to answering your hair loss questions daily. Get past the hype and learn about proven treatments that really work to stop baldness.

Below, we’ve compiled answers to hot topic hair loss questions we received from our Publishers and expert hair restoration physicians.

Dealing with the Depression of Hair Loss at a Young Age: Many young men and women experiencing balding begin suffering from depression. Read this article to learn why what’s in your head is more important than what’s on it.

Are Hair Transplant Megasessions Safe? Learn why Coalition member Dr. Timothy Carman believes that large densely packed hair transplant sessions can be appropriate for some, but not all patients.

Is FUE the Solution for Young Hair Loss Sufferers? Learn why recommended physician Dr. Cam Simmons believes FUE is overhyped and why patients considering hair transplant surgery should be thinking long term.

What to Do in the Event of Propecia Side Effects: Though Propecia (finasteride) is arguably the most effective non-surgical hair loss treatment available, many men are concerned about the possibility of sexual side effects. Read this article and learn what to do in the event you experience side effects.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

I am very bald. The crown of my head almost completely bald as is the top of my head. The crazy thing is that I am only 20 years old!

I have looked online and read a few things and have yet to find someone who has had issues with balding that are as worse than or even equal to mine. I was maybe in my second year of highschool when I noticed it. I told people that I thought I was starting to experience hair loss and everyone told me I was crazy. By the time I graduated these same people were telling me that there are solutions to hair loss. Two years later people told me to shave it all the way off. I was good looking in highschool, played on the basketball team, had many girlfriends, great confidence and I felt like I was on top of the world. Since I noticed myself balding all of these things slowly went out the window, my confidence, the cute girls, and my over all happiness.

The first step to taking control over your hair loss is to learn about and understand it. Learn what causes hair loss. It’s also important to learn to recognize and eradicate all hair loss myths from your memory. Unfortunately, there is no cure for thinning hair. However, the more you learn about balding and its causes, the better chance you’ll develop realistic hair restoration goals and expectations.

Balding men and women with minimal hair loss are usually at a great advantage over those who’ve already lost a great deal of hair. Propecia (finasteride) for men only and Rogaine (minoxidil) for men and women have been proven effective in slowing down, stopping, and even reversing hair loss. Treating baldness early can often save much of a person’s natural hair from falling out due to genetics, the most common cause of hair loss today.

Hair transplantation may be a viable option for t hose w ho are qualified. Because hair transplant results vary, it’s important to select a surgeon with an excellent reputation for producing consistent quality results and standing behind their patients. The Hair Transplant Network has carefully reviewed many physicians over the last 10 years by gathering patient experiences and visiting their clinics to determine who is worth recommending. You are encouraged to carefully evaluate any clinic you are considering for surgery. You can search through over 10 years of patient posted experiences and photos by using the find feature on our hair restoration forum. To see a full listing of those physic ians we recommend, click here.

Propecia (finasteride) to date is arguably the most effective non-surgical hair loss solution available today followed by topical Rogaine (minoxidil). Propecia works by reducing the amount of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) produced in the body, the hormone responsible for genetic female hair loss and male pattern baldness.

Though we live in a world where instant gratification thrives, as the Heinz ketchup commercials you’ve seen or heard about say, “good things come to those who wait”. But how long do balding men have to wait for Propecia to start working its magic? What can Propecia consumers expect in terms of new hair regrowth?

To discuss Propecia, its benefits, and the amount of time it takes for this powerful hair loss drug to become effective, visit “How Fast Does Propecia Start Working?” You are encouraged to offer your input and experience.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss solution, Propecia, DHT, dihydrotestosterone, hair regrowth, hair loss, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

I’m starting to experience hair loss and would really like my hair to thicken in a few months using proven treatments.  Is this possible?

Hair restoration is a process that takes time. Even proven non-surgical hair loss treatments aren’t guaranteed and only very rarely regrow hair in completely bald areas. Thickening of miniaturizing hair follicles may and will most likely occur if the Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) is effective.  However, this can take up to a year of continued use.

Best wishes,

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Hair restoration, hair loss treatments, regrow hair, bald, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

Below we provide a list of crucial tips for maintaining and restoring your hair in 2010.

Take Control: Information is power. Take control of your hair loss by learning all about the causes of hair loss and the only proven non-surgical treatments to stop baldness

Non-Surgical verses Surgical Treatments: Proven medical treatments like Propecia and Rogaine are great at stopping hair loss from continuing. However, only hair transplant surgery is proven to grow hair in completely bald areas. A combination of both can help maximize the amount of hair you can restore.

Selecting a Quality Surgeon: The skill and experience of hair transplant surgeons varies, as do their results. Time and research can lead you to physicians producing only the best results. At the Hair Transplant Network, we have carefully reviewed many physicians over the last 10 years by gathering patient experiences and visiting their clinics to determine who is worth recommending (view our selection criteria). To see a list of physicians we recommend, click here. You are encouraged to carefully evaluate any clinic you are considering for surgery.

Realistic Expectations: Even a combination of non-surgical and surgical hair loss treatments won’t restore a full head of hair in patients with extensive baldness. Learn how to develop realistic expectations and plan for the long term.

You can search through over 7 plus years of patient posted experiences and photos on our hair hair restoration forum and patient websites. To see a full listing of those physicians we recommend, click here.

Men considering Propecia (finasteride) as a hair loss treatment are often highly concerned about the possibility of sexual side effects. And though these side effects are reported as rare on Merck’s website, they are a very real possibility. Thus, Propecia consumers should be aware of the risks and what to do in the event they’re among the few who experience sexual and/or other possible side effects from this drug.

Forum member “SoN” recently started a poll to garner input from Propecia (finasteride) consumers regarding their experience with Propecia and whether or not they experienced side effects. To participate in this poll or to see how others responded, visit “A Survey About Finasteride”

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss treatment, Propecia, finasteride, side effects, Bill Seemiller, Falceros