Hair Loss Medications Vs Laser Hair Therapy For Inherited Hair Loss

Hair loss medications are the traditional treatment, laser hair therapy is the new kid on the block. Which method is better to treat androgenic alopecia (inherited hair loss)?

We all shed hair during its release phase in the hair growth cycle. But if we are shedding more than 100 or so hairs per day we may be on our way to thinning, patchy growth or male or female pattern baldness. Prescription medications promise a full head of thick, shiny hair...but what are the realities of this treatment method? There are two main medications that treat hereditary hair loss. Propecia (Finasteride) is delivered in a pill taken once daily. It is not FDA approved for women, however and in fact should not even be handled by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. That eliminates many hair loss clients. Rogaine (Minoxidil) is a non-prescription spray that is rubbed into the scalp twice a day. For men this may not be such an issue, but for women keeping a clean, styled head of hair (even a thinning one) is a must every day for our self esteem. Both of these medications slow the thinning of hair, grow new hair and thicken the shaft of existing hair. Both work on the crown and top of the head, but not along the front forehead hairline. Minoxidil works best on people younger than thirty. This cuts out the baby boomer population from getting the best results.

The low level light therapy (LLLT) delivered in a laser comb or brush is applied to the scalp in any target area for only 15-20 minutes 3 times per week. This laser treatment is used in conjunction with healthy vitamin supplements, non-sudsing shampoo and non-buildup conditioners. A pre-cleansing treatment, amino acid nutrient and shower water filter all will add to the positive results. As with the above medications, it can be taken with you on business trips or vacations, and can be used in the privacy of your own home. Use of a laser brush is side effect and danger free and is completely safe for women. It also has an initial outlay of a few hundred dollars and uses rechargeable batteries. The "extras" of shampoo, conditioner, etc. would need to be purchased anyway over time. The above medications are much more expensive as medical insurance does not pay for any of these hair loss drugs, and they must be taken continually in order that the hair that is re-grown remains.

Since side effects are non existent with the use of the laser hair brush, any side effects from taking either of the above medications are a negative. Minoxidil users may exhibit skin irritation or itchy scalp. Heart patients must ask their doctor before using this drug. Female users may experience growth of facial hair on the forehead or cheeks. Rogaine users (women are not permitted to take this medication) may include lack of sexual function.

As with the laser hair comb, either of these medications may not work and visible results may take from 4 months to a year. With medications they must be used every day. The recommended use for the laser brush is 3 times a week but for 15-20 minutes each time. Time to take a single pill per day is not much, but using a spray or cream on the scalp twice a day is very time consuming, especially when you take into account re-styling time.

The only risks to stopping the use of the nutrevehairloss.com/Low-Level-Laser-Therapy laser comb or either medication are recurrence of the original hair loss, and then continued loss. Of course our self-esteem and mental health may be compromised if loss of hair or thinning hair is important to us. Thick, shiny hair is one of the things that determine a youthful appearance, and in this time of aging baby boomers trying to maintain a young, healthy look, the market for happinesslifetime.com hair loss treatments is huge.

Each one of us needs to determine the cost, risk and appearance factors for ourselves. With the above information and more research into the use and effectiveness of medications vs. the technology of a laser comb, we have taken the biggest step toward choosing a hair loss solution which is best for us.

Carol is a freelance writer working in the healthcare industry for over 30 years. Her main interests are in promoting health care products that help men and women maintain their natural, youthful looks at any age. Her prime topic is the problem of hair loss, and strongly recommends the natural products available from Nutreve International Hair Therapy Systems.