The problem with a hair loss cure is that if it works, why are there so many different products on the market. If an actual cure for baldness were found, it would be in the headlines of all the major newspapers and magazines. While these so-called hairloss cures may work and spur hair growth, the process takes a long time and anyone using the products has to have a lot of patience.



Minoxidil is a vasodilator and originally was exclusively used as an oral drug (Loniten?) to treat high blood pressure. It was discovered, however, to have the side effect of hair growth and reversing baldness, and in the 1980s, Upjohn Corporation received FDA approval to market a topical solution that contained 2% minoxidil to be used to treat baldness and hair loss as Rogaine. Minoxidil is applied topically to the scalp, and has been shown to promote hair growth in about 25% of men and women, though it may take several months to work.

While there are a number of genetic factors which determine a person's susceptibility to androgenic alopecia including androgen receptor polymorphisms, 5-alpha-reductase levels in the scalp, androgen receptor density and distribution in the scalp, and other factors some of which may not have been discovered. Some speculate the increase in baldness in the population of Japan after World War II demonstrates that hair loss can be influenced by diet and lifestyle.

Hair transplantation involves relocating (transplanting) bald resistant hair follicles from the back and sides of the head (the donor areas) to a person's bald or thinning areas. The transplanted hair follicles will typically grow hair for a lifetime because they are genetically resistant to going bald. In recent years hair transplantation techniques have evolved from using large plugs and mini grafts to exclusively using large numbers of small grafts that contain from between 1 to 4 hairs.

Some more tips for hair loss and baldness treatment:

Most hair-coloring products contain chemicals that can do serious harm to the hair itself if not properly used. But will it instigate hair loss? Not a chance.

Hair loss may occur in extreme cases in which there's been surgery or an otherwise stressful event, which can cause a shutting down of hair production. However, it does not cause male pattern baldness, as hair growth will resume in time.

Since hair loss appears at the follicle level, the sun would have to penetrate at this depth to do any damage. Fortunately, your hair acts as a shield against the sun.