Does Propecia and Rogaine Treat Hair Loss in the Front of the Balding Scalp?

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Michael Beehner of Saratoga Springs, NY who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

The whole issue of hair loss drugs such as Propecia / Proscar (finasteride) or Rogaine (minoxodil) only working in the crown/vertex region of the scalp for hair loss is totally false. The reason these two companies have to say that in their advertising is that the studies they conducted on these hair loss medications were done in those areas, and, because of the strict rules of the FDA, one can only say hair loss drugs work in the area in which you studied it. I have had many, many hair restoration patients given either or both hair loss treatments who have benefited in all other areas of the scalp, including the midscalp on top, the frontal region, and even rarely in the balding recessions in front.

Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride do work synergistically, but I find most male hair loss sufferers aren’t motivated enough or willing to invest the money into taking both. Research also shows that the prescription-strength Nizoral shampoo or Revita Shampoo in the form of 2% ketoconazole may also have a slight chance to regrow hair also.

I’m still somewhat of a skeptic on laser therapy devices such as the laser comb and would want to see far more convincing proof before making it a routine hair restoration recommendation in my practice.

Mike Beehner, M.D.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

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