The cause of hair loss and baldness has for a long time never been understood.
It was only until recently that some discoveries have been made which have brought about some drugs which have proven to be effective in treating hair loss and baldness.
Amongst all these drugs, Propecia and Rogaine have delivered the best hair loss and baldness solution that can not be paralleled by any other drug on the market.
Propecia is effective in treating male pattern baldness and is only to be used by men.
Propecia acts against the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is the compound that is responsible for causing male pattern baldness.
DHT constricts blood vessels that supply hair follicles.
This constriction of blood vessels supplying hair follicles causes hair follicles to shrink in size.
When hair follicles shrink they begin to shed their hairs until they no longer have any visible hair, which then results in a bald patch.
The drug Propecia inhibits the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the reaction of testosterone to form DHT.
This results in a reduced concentration of DHT thus allowing hair follicles to recover and continue to grow thicker hairs.
Propecia though a good drug against baldness it cannot be used to cure women for the same condition.
Propecia cannot be used by women, for the drug targets testosterone and baldness in women is not caused by this hormone.
Also, another problem is that Propecia cannot be used by pregnant women.
This drug can seriously affect the development of the unborn male baby.
If a pregnant woman is to take Propecia she is bound to severely affect her unborn baby, such that it may come out with some serious defects.
This is the reason why Propecia cannot be used by women.
Minoxidil is another highly effective baldness treatment drug.
Minoxidil dilates blood vessels that supply hair follicles.
When these blood vessels dilate it will cause them to increase the amount of blood that reaches these hair follicles.
Increased blood supply means increased oxygen and nutrient supply.
The drug also opens up some potassium channels on the walls of hair follicles thus increasing the rate at which hair follicles take in oxygen and nutrients.
This will increase the metabolic rate of hair follicles which results in increased hair growth.
Minoxidil is available for both men and women.
The drug can be obtained in two different form minoxidil for men and minoxidil for women.
The difference of the drugs is mainly the concentration of the active ingredients.
Just like any other therapeutic drugs minoxidil can have side effects.
Known side effects of minoxidil include reduced libido in men, oily hair, dry scalp skin and scalp irritation.
Though these side effects may occur their occurrence is rather rare that is why there are few reports of side effects when it comes to minoxidil.
If you are interested in knowing more about minoxidil why not go online and get information on how minoxidil works against baldness.