Topical treatment for Male and Female

There is no arguing that balding and/or thinning hair is a troubling development for many men and women, After all our hair is part of who we are, and is many plays a role in how we express ourselves, how others perceive us to be, and is even a determining factor in our personal and private relationships.

In the world of hair loss causes there is no bigger scrooge than a condition known medically as androgenetic alopecia, or less formally as male or female pattern baldness. It is responsible for nine out of ten cases of balding in men and one out of every four or five in women. This most common of all hair loss conditions is progressive, will not reverse itself without some form of treatment, and has often produced extensive follicle damage by the time it is noticed. The combination of the number of instances, progressive nature, and the lack of viable treatment options has made topical minoxidil the primary treatment method for both men and women.

Topical minoxidil is the only topical treatment for androgenetic alopecia. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and goes under the brand names Rogaine and Loniten. Minoxidil was originally produced in pill form for the treatment of hypertension (blood pressure) but was also found to promote hair growth. Topical minoxidil must be applied twice a day to the scalp and is both moderately affordable ($30 per month) and widely available.

Studies show that indeed it does work for most people, but not all. It is weakest in its ability to re-grow hair, with only about a 30 percent success rate. On the other hand topical minoxidil is extremely effective in slowing the balding and thinning process, boasting an impressive 90 percent success rate.

While the numbers are pretty good, especially since there are so few viable options, there is some confusion as to exactly how topical minoxidil works. Some experts simply say they don't know while others point to minoxidil's ability to enlarge follicles, encourage dormant hairs to grow, and prolong a hairs growth phase.

Many natural health experts believe that the effectiveness of topical minoxidil can be enhanced with the help of herbal supplements such as saw palmetto and/or nettle root extract. There seems to be emerging science which supports this hypothesis, and utilizing these herbs could be a valuable tool in reversing both male and female pattern balding.

What Next? There are currently a handful of rel=nofollow [http://purchaseremedies.com/HairLoss.html]hair re-growth products (specially formulated for both men and women) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated treatments can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.