Topical Hair Loss Solutions

There are many topical remedies for different types of alopecia. Below are some of the prescribed medications for varying degrees of alopecia in both men and women.

Some hair loss medications are for men and women while some may be used only by men or may be used only be women. It is imperative that you read the drug indications first before using any OTC drugs that may contain active ingredients that are considered drugs by the Food and Drug Administration.

Androgenetic Hair Loss

Androgenetic hair loss or male pattern baldness, caused by the action 5-alpha reductase on male testosterone to produce dihydrotestosterone can be treated with topical minoxidil. Topical minoxidil is available in 2% concentrations and 4% concentrations. This drug has been tested more with men rather than women. As such, there are some brands that still advertise minoxidil for women (reduced concentration).

The best candidates for the use of topical minoxidil are men under 40 years of age who have mild to moderate hair loss. The hair loss must be less than 10 years in its duration; baldness that is older than 10 years would probably respond more slowly to the topical minoxidil. It takes about 12 months to see the maximal response of the scalp to the topical minoxidil. Unfortunately, you must use the drug indefinitely to replicate the same response on the scalp.

Hair Loss Treatment With Topical Minoxidil

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata, which accounts for 1%-2% of hair-related doctor visits each year, is a non-scarring type of baldness that appears patchy and sometimes shows a diffuse pattern. It is believed that there is an autoimmune component to alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is most commonly seen in patients that are afflicted with atopic dermatitis, thyroid diseases and vitiligo, as well as those with Down syndrome.

Topical treatments fro alopecia areata include the use of topical corticosteroids and topical anthralin. These two are fairly safe for the purpose of lessening the degree of the alopecia areata in adult patients. In some cases, doctors may recommend intralesional corticosteroids and psoralens with the use of ultraviolet light. In extreme cases, a hairpiece can be used to hide the baldness.

Which Is More Effective?

Topical agents and oral agents are prescribed for specific conditions; often, infestations of the scalp caused by lichens or fungi require an oral antifungal treatment rather than a topical antifungal treatment. Some incidences of hair loss such as those caused by trichotillomania cannot be readily resolved by topical anti-balding agents.

Trichotillomania itself is not a type of dermatosis but a kind of mental disturbance requiring consultations with a specialist and the use of selective serotonin uptake inhibitors and clomipramine. Both are prescribed to patients with trichotillomania to control the compulsive pulling or sometimes swallowing of the hair shafts.

No Cures ?

There are several hair conditions that currently have no cure. For example, the rare condition trichorrhexis nodosa has been tagged as idiopathic, though there is a strong association with thyroid problems. Tricorrhexis nodosa is often mistaken for head lice. The symptoms for trichorrhexis nodosa include fracture points in the hairs and break off points, coupled with strands of hairs interlocked with each other.

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