You know that you will never have thick hair again. But he would like to retain at least the one he has. Is there anything I can do to prevent hair loss other than a transplant?

Yes. With some treatments, you can slow or stop hair loss and possibly even regrow some of the hair you thought you had lost forever. Read on to find out what is effective and what is not.

Minoxidil

This is the only OTC hair loss medication that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It won’t make your tickets disappear. It stimulates hair growth, but scientists aren’t entirely sure how it works.

Minoxidil is sold as Rogaine or in its generic version. It comes in liquid or foam and has two strengths: 2% and 5%.

• Efficacy: Minoxidil works in about two out of three men. It is most effective if you are under 40 and your hair has just started to fall out.

How to use it: Twice a day and with dry hair, apply minoxidil to the scalp where hair loss has started. Then arm yourself with patience. You may not notice changes for four months or more.

• What it does not do: Minoxidil does not cure baldness. If you stop using it, your hair will fall out again. Your hair may fall out faster than before.

• Side effects: The scalp may become red, itchy, dry, flaky, or have other irritation, although this is not very common. If you use the most powerful solution, the probability increases at 5%.

How to apply minoxidil

The application of Minoxidil in search of paralyzing hair loss must always be topically, in the form of a hydroalcoholic solution, and distributed throughout the central affected area that we want to treat and then spread it over the rest of the scalp.

It is important to emphasize that the lotion must always be applied to the scalp with dry hair. Also, once applied on the initial area, we will gradually spread it over the rest of the scalp through a gentle massage that we will perform with the fingertips.

In the same way that it acts on the scalp, Minoxidil helps to prevent facial hair loss and stimulates beard growth in those bald spots or areas where it does not grow or does so timidly and insufficiently. That is why many people turn to Minoxidil in search of a bushy, lustrous beard.

Once the application is finished, in a maneuver that will take just one or two minutes, it is important to wash your hands well and prevent the lotion from coming into contact with some sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

Although you can dry your hair, it is recommended not to do so and, if unavoidable, to use the dryer in cold air mode so as not to excessively alter the application of the lotion on the scalp.

Finasteride

This medication stops the body from producing the hormone that causes male pattern baldness, DHT (dihydrotestosterone). It is sold under the brand name Propecia.

• Efficacy: Finasteride is very effective. Slows or stops hair loss in almost 90% of men. About two-thirds of them also grow a little hair again.

How to use it: Finasteride is a pill. It is usually taken once a day. Your dermatologist may recommend taking it at the same time you use minoxidil.

• What it does not do: It does not prevent hair loss like minoxidil. If you stop taking it, your hair will fall out again.

• Side effects: Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual side effects, although it is rare. If this is the case, they will probably go away when you stop taking finasteride. But in some men, this can take three months or more.

Biotin and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Biotin is a B vitamin that is essential for your health. You are most likely getting enough, thanks to egg yolks, yeast, liver, and other foods. That’s good as a biotin deficiency can cause hair loss. Does that mean taking huge doses of it will make you have more hair? Probably not. No scientific study has shown that biotin is used for the prevention or treatment of baldness.

You may have heard that laser combs, brushes, hoods, and caps can help stop hair loss. The theory is that when the hair follicles absorb a certain level of laser light, hair growth is stimulated. But there is no evidence that these devices help hair regrow or prevent baldness.

When to see a doctor about hair loss

If your hair suddenly falls out, see a doctor. It may be due to illness, medication, or poor diet.