DRUGS

Using drugs is one of the hairloss remedies. Drugs is not a permanent treatment like doing hair transplant and once you stop using a certain drug your hair will start to fall again. Currently there are a few drugs in the market.

Drugs are not present all around the.. In some countries which are less developed they prefer to use herbs rather than drugs. This is due to the less advanced technology and also the market there.

MINOXIDIL

Minoxidil is a new drug that has recently been approved as an anti-balding agent. Its effect on hair growth was first suspected because patients taking the drug to treat hypertension began to notice that their bodies were becoming hairier. So studies was tested on monkey who was also bald and indeed the animals started to grow new hair subsequently, trial in human were conducted in several countries. 2/3 of those who used it found it successful. Now minoxidil are used around the world. However, it is not a miracle drug. Minoxidil should be used on scalp that are damaged by eczema. There are minor side effects such itching, prickling and dryness on the skin.

CYCLICAL ANTI-ANDROGEN THERAPY

Oestrogen protects against male pattern baldness whereas androgens encourage it. It has been combined with anti-androgens to block the effects of androgens on the hair follicle to treat male pattern baldness.

The anti-acne drug, Diane, combines enthinyl oestradiol (an estragen) with cyproterone acetate (an anti-androgen) and has been reported to induce hair growth in some women with male pattern baldness. It cannot be used in men because of the risk of feminization.

Some dermatologists feel that the dose of cyproterone acetate in Diane is too low and usually give patients an extra tablet of cyproterone acetate.

STEROID-OESTROGEN THERAPHY

This involves the use of steroid like prednisolone and an oestogen. Prednisolone suppresses the production of androgens by the adrenal glands and oestrogen counteracts the effects of androgens on the hair follicle. This form of treatment has been reported to help some women. Unfortunately, it is also unsuitable for men because of the risk of feminization.

SPRINOLACTONE

This is an oral drug used for treating water retention or oedema. It also has anti-androgenic properties and has been reported to help women with male pattern baldness.

However, spironolactone commonly causes menstrual irregularities in women of taken on its own. This can be avoided by taking a combined birth control pill during the first 21 days of a 28 day menstrual cycle. Spironolactone cannot be used in men because it causes gynaecomastia ( breast enlargement ) .

CIMETIDINE

This is an oral, anti-ulcer drug which also has anti-androgenic properties. It has been reported to help a few women with male pattern baldness. However, cimetidine is also known to cause hair loss as a side effect. This seems strange for a drug that is supposed to help hair grow. Other side affects include diarrhoea, rashes and dizziness.

DIAZOZIDE

This is another drug used for treating hypertension. Like minoxidil, it too causes the blood vessels to dilate ( thus lowering blood pressure ) and hair growth as a side effect.

Trails are already in progress to determine the effectiveness of topical diazozide in the treatment of male pattern baldness. Its manufacturer, Schering USA, is rather tight lipped about the results and any information apart from the fact that trails were in progress could not be obtained. It remains to be seen whether topical diazozide will eventually prove to be effective.

TOPICAL IRRITANTS

These are applied to the bald areas to irritate and stimulate hibernating hair follicles to produce hair again. Dithranol cream used for treating a skin condition known as psoriasis has been used with some success and regrowth has been reported in a few patients after about 2 months.

The disadvantage of dithranol is that the crean is somewhat irritating to the skin and causes itching and occasionally, burning. It may also stain the clothes and skin. A variety of other irritants such as phenol, bensyl benzoate, sodium lauryl sulphate and croton oil have also been used. Irritants have to be applied regularly to maintain the irritation. Treatment is uncomfortable and hence not very popular with patients.

ULTRAVIOLET-B LIGHT

Ultraviolet-B from an artificial light source has also been used to induce a mild sunburn on the bald areas. It is believed that the mild sunburn irritates and stimulates the hair follicles into producing hair again. However, this treatment is inconvenient because the patient has to go to the clinic regularly for treatment.

ISOPRINOSINE

This is an immunomodulatory drug ( a drug which has effects on the immune system ). It has been reported to induce regrowth in patients with alopecia areata who have laboratory evidence of altered immunity. Isoprinosine may cause an increase in uric acid, causing gout ; so monitoring of uric acid levels is a necessary precaution during treatment.

TO TYPES OF REMEDIES