Men of all times all over the world have experienced hair loss. For some it has never been a big problem, but the others get really bothered when they notice first signs of baldness. Many natural remedies were invented, but none of them helped to stop hair loss as well as the modern medications do.

Most achievements in hair industry have been done in the last decades. Pills and surgical hair restoration have done an impressive job for those who do not want to be bald. The hair comes back naturally, there is no need in wigs, and the person does not feel stressed losing hair.

Unfortunately many pills are fake; they do not give any positive result. Some of the medications are widely advertised on media, but the miraculous power of them is very doubtful. sadly the majority of them does not restore hair, stop or treat hair loss. It is important not to make a mistake in the very beginning of hair loss treatment, because the sooner medications are used, the more hair can be saved.

If a person doubts about a medication, the best way to know it works as it should is to check if it is approved by Food and Drug Administration or American Hair Loss Association. There are only two treatments clinically proven to successfully help men treat pattern baldness.

• Finasteride, Proscar/Generic Propecia

Finasteride was originally developed by Merck for men to treat enlarged prostate glands in 1992. This is why it was named Proscar. During 5-year studies the scientists found out an unusual side-effect: 48% of men with mild and moderate hair loss have experienced re-growth of hair and 42% had no further hair loss.

The dosage of a 5 mg Proscar pill was revised and changed to 1 mg and now Merck sells Finasteride as a male hair loss treatment Propecia. The FDA has approved this medicine as a hair loss pill in 1997.

Propecia is effective as long as it is taken. The best result is achieved after 6 months of using it. The pill should be taken once daily. There have not been any significant side-effects noticed.

The American Hair Loss Association advises taking Propecia as a primary treatment for male hair loss. If it does not show results in 12 months, Propecia should be stopped and substituted by other hair loss treatments.

• Minoxidil (Ioniten)

Minoxidil was also invented for other purposes. Several years ago it was sold as Loniten which treated high blood pressure. The studies have shown that it prevented hair loss and provoked hair re-growth. Upjohn Corporation decided to profit from this side-effect and designed a topical solution with 2% Minoxidil for treating baldness. Later the concentration for men had to be changed to 5%. The new medication went to the market named Rogaine in the U.S. and Canada and Regaine in Europe and Asian-Pacific.

It is also approved by FDA, but some experts say its work is very marginal. Besides, some patients experience hair loss in unexpected places: cheeks or backs of their hands. The American Hair Loss Association recommends trying this treatment if the person has not responded to Finasteride.