Everything you want to know about procedures, clinical trials, medications, and more.
Hair follicles are small, living structures in your skin that produce hair. They regulate the hair growth cycle through active, resting, and shedding phases. When follicles are damaged or affected by stress, hormones, or illness, hair loss can occur. But many cases are treatable.
Vellus hairs are fine, unpigmented "peach fuzz" covering most of the body, while terminal hairs are thicker, darker hairs like scalp hair. In male pattern baldness, terminal hairs miniaturize into vellus hairs due to DHT. Treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and laser therapy can help reverse this process and restore hair growth.
Minoxidil shampoo contains lower concentrations than other formulas and is only left on the scalp for a short time. While it may help improve scalp health, it's not effective enough to treat hair loss on its own. It should be used alongside FDA-approved treatments like topical minoxidil.
Spironolactone is a drug that's usually used to treat cardiovascular problems. However, it's also the most common anti-androgenic medication used by dermatologists in the USA. This medication can be used both orally and topically for hair loss. It can even be combined with other hair loss treatments, including minoxidil and finasteride.
