Balding is a common concern for men of all ages. By age 35, roughly 66 percent of men experience some degree of noticeable hair loss, and by age 50, approximately 85 percent have significantly thinning hair. Genetics, aging, and certain medical conditions are all things that can contribute to hair loss, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless to do something about it. If you’ve started noticing a receding hairline, thinning crown, or hair falling out, there are a few medical treatments that could help slow the process and encourage regrowth before you consider more extreme measures.
“One of the earliest signs of hair loss is increased shedding,” says Robert T. Leonard, Jr., DO, FISHRS, FAACS, director of Hair Health Institute. “The average person loses approximately 100 hairs per day. Consistently losing more than this may indicate abnormal hair loss and should be investigated by a medical hair loss specialist. Men should pay attention to the amount of hair they notice in the shower, on their brush or comb, on their pillowcase, or even on their clothing and around their workspace. What’s concerning is that a person may have already lost a significant amount of hair before they begin to notice visible thinning.”
Read on for three effective treatment options Leonard recommends for middle-aged men.
Medical Treatments for Hair Loss
Topical Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Rogaine is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter topical treatment available as a 5 percent foam. It can help slow the progression of hair loss and promote regrowth, with approximately 60 to 80 percent of patients experiencing stabilization. It’s generally well-tolerated, though some users may experience scalp irritation or other side effects. Visible results can take anywhere from two to six months of consistent use to appear.
Oral Finasteride (Propecia)
Oral finasteride, sold under the brand name Propecia, is an FDA-approved prescription medication that comes in pill form. It’s been shown to help stabilize hair loss in approximately 83 percent of men and promote regrowth in about 66 percent. Leonard notes that it works particularly well at the crown of the scalp, where men commonly develop bald spots. Although generally well tolerated, finasteride can cause side effects, including sexual side effects.
Photobiomodulation
Photobiomodulation is a low-level laser therapy. It uses specialized devices to deliver light to the scalp. FDA-cleared devices may help slow hair loss and stimulate regrowth. Research has found that approximately 90 percent of patients may experience stabilization, while around 60 percent may see regrowth of miniaturized hairs. The treatment is noninvasive and has a favorable safety profile, with few reported side effects.
“For photobiomodulation, I recommend the Capillus MD Duo because of its unique design. It provides a larger treatment area than many other devices and uses laser diodes with two different wavelengths of energy that have been studied for treating hair loss in both men and women,” Leonard says.
Related: Red Light Therapy May Help Men Fight Hair Loss, Here’s What the Science Says
Experts
- Robert T. Leonard, Jr., DO, FISHRS, FAACS, director of Hair Health Institute
