If you have ever searched “hair loss therapy treatment,” chances are you continue to see ads for treatments or medications for thinning hair. The more you see, the harder it becomes to choose one that is right for you. Here is a breakdown of the latest medications to help you find a path to fuller, thicker hair.

Medications for Hair Growth
There are several topical and oral medications now being prescribed to help stop hair loss, as follows:

Minoxidil - Marketed as Rogaine, minoxidil for hair loss has been the #1 topical solution since 1988! While initially formulated to treat high blood pressure, users experienced an increased hair growth side effect. Since this was undesirable beyond the scalp, its benefits were transmuted to localized topical application. Proven to improve blood flow, stimulate hair growth, and thicken hair, it became the gold standard hair loss solution. However, topical application may cause breakouts, burning, increased facial hair, inflammation, irritation, redness, soreness, facial swelling, and hair shedding! Results on topical efficacy are mixed as users need adequate amounts of a specific enzyme to convert it into minoxidil sulfate to affect the hair follicle.

Ironically, we have returned to oral minoxidil for hair loss – body hair, beware! Although reported safe at low dosages, long-term use is necessary to maintain the treatment effect. It may also incur common side effects like bloating, skin redness, swelling in the lower legs and feet, a faster heartbeat, and weight gain. Less common concerns include chest pain and tingling or numbness of the face, hands, and feet. Breast tenderness, headache, itching, and skin rash rarely occur but are listed among the many side effects. See your regular physician who knows your medical history before taking this or any other new medication.

Spironolactone - Originally prescribed to control high blood pressure and fluid retention, oral spironolactone for hair loss helps reduce the amount of sex hormones (aka androgens) that trigger hair loss, helping support hair regrowth. This “water pill” is amongst today’s popular hair loss solutions for women, as it can also help minimize breakouts and monthly bloating. Approximately 75% of users reported hair loss improvements with this medication. However, it may take six months to a year to see results. During this time, you may experience common side effects of diarrhea, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, period irregularity, reduced libido, tender breasts, and weight gain. While generally deemed safe, it may come with less common yet quite serious issues, including gastrointestinal bleeding and high potassium levels associated with an abnormal heartbeat, muscle fatigue, weakness, and paralysis. Go to the ER if you have difficulty breathing, weak or rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness, or seizures - signs of a severe reaction. People with Addison’s disease, electrolyte imbalances, high potassium levels, and kidney or liver disease are not candidates for this trending acne and hair loss therapy. As it is a diuretic, pay attention to increased thirst, infrequent urination, dark urine, or confusion, which are symptoms of dehydration.

Finasteride & Dutasteride - Not DHT blockers but 5-alpha reductase inhibitors originally intended to treat enlarged prostate glands. Much like minoxidil, these drugs have the bonus of hair loss prevention and improved hair growth. They convert Testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), reducing DHT involved with hair loss. Oral Finasteride may cause chills, cold sweats, confusion, dizziness, reduced libido and sexual function, or less frequently, back pain, bloating, breast tenderness and enlargement, diarrhea, headache, itching, hives or welts, rash, redness, runny and stuffy nose, sleepiness, sneezing, stomach pain, swelling of the lips, face, arms, hands, lower legs, and feet, tingling of feet and hands, and weight changes. Dutasteride for hair loss is off-label as it is not FDA-approved. In addition to some of the same side effects as Finasteride, it may cause testicular swelling and pain. While side effects are not considered “bad” in the medical community, both medications can cause birth defects in male babies, making it imperative for pregnant women not to come into contact with these medicines. Both drugs can be used topically with similar results to minimize these serious adverse effects, with potential side effects being burning, contact dermatitis, irritation, or itching. It may take 3 - 6 months to see initial results with Dutasteride and anywhere from 4 - 12 months for significant improvement.

While oral remedies and daily supplements may be an option, why not try a holistic approach with natural products for hair thinning and fragile, lackluster hair without side effects. You may find this a much better course of action for total scalp and hair microbiome health and wellness. Stay tuned to our next installment, focusing on the pros and cons of more invasive hair loss therapies.