Propecia
Propecia, also called by its non-brand name Finasteride, is a "DHT inhibitor" pill that is FDA approved to inhibit production of DHT through the entire body (called systemic). It does this through inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Finasteride is taken orally and has a reported 29-68% success rate (vs 17-45% in patients receiving a placebo). It is effective only for as long as it is taken; the hair gained or maintained is lost within 6-12 months of ceasing therapy (Rossi, 2004). In clinical studies, Propecia, like Minoxodil, was shown to work on both the crown area and the hairline,[4] but is most successful in the crown area. For those in the early stages of hair loss, it is generally recommended to start slow, using propecia alone for at least a year, as it has very good maintenance rates, then adding other products, such as minoxidil, if regrowth is desired.
Propecia is the same as the oral prescription drug, Proscar, used in higher doses to treat an enlarged prostate. Some users save money by buying Proscar instead of Propecia , and split the pills in quarters using a pill-splitter to ensure the same amount as is present in Propecia is taken.
Propecia has been shown to be ineffective for treating hair loss in women, and shouldn't even be touched by pregnant or potentially pregnant women, as it causes severe birth defects in male fetuses.
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Possible health concerns
The UC Berkeley Wellness Letter in March 2003 states they don’t recommend Propecia "because its long-term safety is unknown. This is disquieting, since young men are the prime candidates, and the drug has to be taken for a lifetime. If you do decide to take it, you should know that although the standard dose is one milligram, there is some evidence that one-fifth that amount also works. If you cut the pill into quarters, you will save money."[5]
While they point out Propecia must be taken for a lifetime to avoid losing hair, it should be counterpointed that future treatments are widely expected by baldness specialists to replace Propecia, which would end the need for continued use. Additionally, Propecia is widely considered safe enough to prescribe by health professionals, and is one of the only two FDA-approved baldness treatment products on the market.
Stem cells have been discovered in hair follicles and some researchers predict research on these follicle stem cells may lead to successes in treating baldness through hair multiplication, also called hair cloning within three or four years (as of November 2004). This treatment is expected to initially work through taking stem cells from existing follicles, multiplying them in cultures, and implanting the new follicles into the scalp. Later treatments may be able to simply signal follicle stem cells to transmit chemical signals to nearby follicle cells which have shrunk during the aging process, which respond to these signals by regenerating and once again making healthy hair. [17]
Stem Cell Research Update (March 2004) - Covers a study by Dr. George Cotsarelis and his team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
― Chris Tigck, Saturday, 28 January 2006 11:13 (twenty years ago)
two years pass...