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Medical Treatments and Other Non-Surgical Therapies

Medications serve an important role in both the prevention and treatment of hair loss, particularly in the early stages of the balding process. The FDA approved medication Propecia (finasteride), which inhibits DHT, is particularly helpful in reversing genetic baldness in its early stages. Rogaine (minoxidil) can sometimes be useful for early hair loss by stimulating hair growth, but it is more effective when used in conjunction with Propecia. Because medical therapy works to thicken hair in areas that are thinning (miniaturized), rather than to grow hair once it is lost, medical treatment is best started as soon as possible.

Medical therapy also works well in conjunction with hair transplant surgery since they serve different purposes; the medical hair loss treatment works best to prevent hair loss, whereas, hair restoration surgery is indicated when the hair loss is more advanced. Besides reversing early hair loss (by thickening miniaturized hair), medication works to prevent the progression of androgenetic alopecia (genetic hair loss). A hair transplant, in contrast, does nothing to prevent actual hair loss – but it is the only hair loss treatment that can replace hair once it is gone.

This section focuses on the FDA approved hair loss treatments, how they work, how they should be used, and their potential problems. Avodart (dutasteride) is approved for prostate enlargement, but is not yet indicated for hair loss. The diuretic Aldactone (spironolactone), a treatment for hair loss occasionally used in women, will be discussed briefly.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a treatment for hair loss based on the principle of photo-biotherapy. The laser stimulates hair follicles on the scalp producing thicker hair shafts and a fuller appearance. It is particularly useful in patients with diffuse hair loss (the most common pattern seen in women).

For men and women with unwanted body or facial hair, Dr. Bernstein's wife Shizuka, is the owner of Shizuka New York, a well known New York City Day Spa located adjacent to Rockefeller Center. The Spa also offers full skin care services in addition to hair removal by both traditional electrolsyis and Intense Pulsed Light Hair Removal (IPL).

Read a short summary of Non-Surgical Options for Treating Hair Loss