Medical Hair Restoration

Medical hair restoration in the genuine sense includes the hairlessness treatment which depends upon the use of medications. Unusual hairlessness both in men and women is caused by the modifications in the androgen metabolism. The metabolism of androgen involves an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase which combines with the hormone androgen (testosterone) to form the DHT (Dihydro-testosterone). DHT is a natural metabolite of our body which is the basis cause of hairlessness.

DHT obtains into the hair follicles and roots (dermal papilla), it stops essential proteins, vitamins and minerals from providing nourishment for hair follicles. This shortens their increasing stage (anagen phase) and grow longer their resting stage (telogen phase) of the follicle. DHT is responsible for 95persent of hairlessness.

Some persons both men and women are hereditarily pre-disposed to produce extra DHT than the usual individuals. DHT also creates a waxen substance around the hair roots. DHT accretion inside the hair follicles and roots is one of the main causes of male and female pattern hair loss.

Blocking the synthesis of DHT at molecular level shapes the basis for the treatment of MPHL (male pattern hair loss) and FPHL (female pattern hair loss). There are many natural DHT blockers and numerous drugs which are used for medical hair restoration. Let’s see.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil has the differentiation of the first drug being used for promoting the hair restoration. Minoxidil was then approved as medical hair restoration treatment medicine for men by the FDA, USA in 1988 as a 2% solution, followed by 5% solution in 1997. For women, the 2% solution was approved in 1991. Though 5% solution is not approved for women, it is used as a medical hair restoration treatment by many dermatologists worldwide.

Mechanism of action

Minoxidil is consideration to have a direct mitogenic effect on epidermal cells. Calcium normally enhances epidermal growth factors to inhibit hair growth. Minoxidil by getting converted to minoxidil sulfate enhances potassium ion permeability to prevent calcium ions from coming in into cells. It takes about few months time for the results to be apparent since it is the time which is necessary for restoring the normal growth cycle of hair fibers.

Though minoxidil does not have any effect on blood pressure, it should be used with care in patient with cardiovascular diseases. It is also contraindicated in pregnant and nursing mothers.

Finasteride

The drug finasteride was before used as treatment for prostate enlargement, under the medical name Pros car. But in 1998, it was approved by FDA for the Medical hairlessness restoration in MPHL.
Mechanism of Action

Medical hair restoration treatments with Finasteride depends upon its specially action as an inhibitor of type II 5α-reductase, the intracellular enzyme that converts male hormone androgen into DHT (Dihydro Testosterone). Its action results in substantial decrease in serum and tissue DHT levels in even in concentration as low as 0.2mg. Finasteride stabilizes hair loss in 80% of patient with Vertex hair loss and in 70% of patients with frontal hair loss. The peculiar thing about Propecia is that its effect is more pronounced in crown area than in the front.

Several hair restoration surgeons find Propecia (finasteride) to act as an excellent adjunct to the surgical hair restoration.

Combination Therapy

There are reports which say that use of finasteride and topical minoxidil combination therapy as a Medical hair restoration treatment is of more rewards in cases of mild to moderate MPHL. Many hair restoration doctors have already started the use of combination therapy in order to obtain better hair growth.

Anti Androgen Therapy

For women with hyperandrogonism(with increased levels of androgen) who do not react well to minoxidil, antiandrogen therapy is another choice of medical hair restoration. In UK the most commonly used anti-androgen for women is CPA (cyproterone acetate), which is used in combination with ethinyl-estradiol.

In United States CPA is not obtainable, the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone is the alternative choice of hair restoration doctors.

Flutamide

Medical hair restoration with flutamide has shown enhancement as hair loss restoration treatment in women with hirsutism. For hyperandrogenic premenopausal women, flutamide is a better medical hair restoration agent than both the CPA or finestride.