You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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This decision aid is about whether to use medicine to treat hair loss. It doesn't discuss hair transplant surgery.
Medicines to treat hair loss caused by heredity include:
Medicine for treating inherited hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair. It also thickens the shafts of your existing hair so that it grows in thicker.
With these medicines, hair coverage tends to improve on the top of the head but not on the forehead area.
Finasteride and minoxidil (for men) and minoxidil (for women) have the best level of evidence for medicines used to treat inherited hair loss.footnote 1, footnote 2 How well finasteride or minoxidil works depends on your age and the location of the hair loss. These medicines don't work for everyone, and you should not expect to regrow a full head of hair.
Both medicines must be used daily. It may take 6 months of treatment before you see results.
These medicines slow thinning of the hair and increase coverage of the scalp by growing new hair. They also thicken the shafts of your existing hair so that it grows in thicker. If you stop using the medicine, any hair that has grown in will gradually be lost. Within 6 to 12 months after you stop using the medicine, your scalp will most likely look the same as it did before treatment.
Side effects of minoxidil include skin irritation, dandruff, and an itchy scalp. In women, minoxidil may cause facial hair growth, especially on the forehead and cheeks. If you have heart problems, ask your doctor before you use this medicine.
Finasteride should not be taken or handled by women who are or may become pregnant, because it can cause birth defects. Possible side effects in men include sexual problems, such as trouble getting an erection.
The disadvantages of using these medicines for hair loss include the following:
There are no risks to your health if you decide not to use medicine for hair loss. But some people may be bothered by hair loss that they feel has affected their appearance.
If you don't use medicine, your hair loss will probably continue. But medicine doesn't always work, and hair loss may continue despite treatment with medicine.
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
My father and grandfather are both bald. I decided to use Rogaine to see if it would slow down my hair loss. I don't want to look like my dad just yet!
Johan, age 28
My hair began to thin when I was 28 years old. Now I am 44 and the top of my head is bald. Recently, I considered using medicine to treat my hair loss and see if any hair would regrow. After reading the literature and talking to my doctor, I decided not to take medicine because it is unlikely to make a huge difference in my hair—and I don't want to take medicine forever!
Bob, age 44
My hair is very important to me and my appearance. I noticed that my hair was starting to thin. And because baldness runs in our family, I decided to take an aggressive approach to reduce my chances for more hair loss. I am willing to take a pill every day, and to pay for it.
Marc, age 32
I have noticed some thinning throughout my scalp. Although this is disturbing to me, I have decided not to take medicine for the hair loss. It seems that medicine works best for young males. So now I'm checking out hair transplant surgery. I think that in the long run, I may be happier with the results.
Stella, age 38
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use medicine for inherited hair loss
Reasons not to use medicine for inherited hair loss
My hair loss causes me a lot of stress or unhappiness.
My hair loss doesn't bother me too much.
I am willing to pay for the treatment over the long term.
I do not want to pay for treatment over the long term.
I realize that the treatment may not work for me, but I want to try it anyway.
I don't want to try the treatment if there is a chance it won't work.
I will be happy if I can stop the hair loss and some hair grows back.
Using medicine will only be worth it to me if I will have a full head of hair.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking medicine to treat the hair loss.
NOT taking medicine to treat the hair loss.
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
| Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Ellen K. Roh MD - Dermatology |
This decision aid is about whether to use medicine to treat hair loss. It doesn't discuss hair transplant surgery.
Medicines to treat hair loss caused by heredity include:
Medicine for treating inherited hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair. It also thickens the shafts of your existing hair so that it grows in thicker.
With these medicines, hair coverage tends to improve on the top of the head but not on the forehead area.
Finasteride and minoxidil (for men) and minoxidil (for women) have the best level of evidence for medicines used to treat inherited hair loss.1, 2 How well finasteride or minoxidil works depends on your age and the location of the hair loss. These medicines don't work for everyone, and you should not expect to regrow a full head of hair.
Both medicines must be used daily. It may take 6 months of treatment before you see results.
These medicines slow thinning of the hair and increase coverage of the scalp by growing new hair. They also thicken the shafts of your existing hair so that it grows in thicker. If you stop using the medicine, any hair that has grown in will gradually be lost. Within 6 to 12 months after you stop using the medicine, your scalp will most likely look the same as it did before treatment.
Side effects of minoxidil include skin irritation, dandruff, and an itchy scalp. In women, minoxidil may cause facial hair growth, especially on the forehead and cheeks. If you have heart problems, ask your doctor before you use this medicine.
Finasteride should not be taken or handled by women who are or may become pregnant, because it can cause birth defects. Possible side effects in men include sexual problems, such as trouble getting an erection.
The disadvantages of using these medicines for hair loss include the following:
There are no risks to your health if you decide not to use medicine for hair loss. But some people may be bothered by hair loss that they feel has affected their appearance.
If you don't use medicine, your hair loss will probably continue. But medicine doesn't always work, and hair loss may continue despite treatment with medicine.
| Treat hair loss with medicine | Don't treat hair loss with medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"My father and grandfather are both bald. I decided to use Rogaine to see if it would slow down my hair loss. I don't want to look like my dad just yet!"
— Johan, age 28
"My hair began to thin when I was 28 years old. Now I am 44 and the top of my head is bald. Recently, I considered using medicine to treat my hair loss and see if any hair would regrow. After reading the literature and talking to my doctor, I decided not to take medicine because it is unlikely to make a huge difference in my hair—and I don't want to take medicine forever!"
— Bob, age 44
"My hair is very important to me and my appearance. I noticed that my hair was starting to thin. And because baldness runs in our family, I decided to take an aggressive approach to reduce my chances for more hair loss. I am willing to take a pill every day, and to pay for it."
— Marc, age 32
"I have noticed some thinning throughout my scalp. Although this is disturbing to me, I have decided not to take medicine for the hair loss. It seems that medicine works best for young males. So now I'm checking out hair transplant surgery. I think that in the long run, I may be happier with the results."
— Stella, age 38
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use medicine for inherited hair loss
Reasons not to use medicine for inherited hair loss
My hair loss causes me a lot of stress or unhappiness.
My hair loss doesn't bother me too much.
I am willing to pay for the treatment over the long term.
I do not want to pay for treatment over the long term.
I realize that the treatment may not work for me, but I want to try it anyway.
I don't want to try the treatment if there is a chance it won't work.
I will be happy if I can stop the hair loss and some hair grows back.
Using medicine will only be worth it to me if I will have a full head of hair.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking medicine to treat the hair loss.
NOT taking medicine to treat the hair loss.
1. If I use medicine to treat my hair loss, I will end up with a full head of hair.
2. If I stop taking the medicine, my new hair growth will fall out.
3. I should check with my doctor before I take hair loss medicines.
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Ellen K. Roh MD - Dermatology |
Current as of: March 3, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Ellen K. Roh MD - Dermatology
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