Some individuals are so desperate for the best hair loss treatment they become victims to hype and dubious promises which only lead to disappointment and a lighter pocket!

Leading international hair loss advisor Jonathon E. Phillips sets out in his ebook “Hair Loss No More” (see Resource Box below) to protect the innocent consumer against being enticed by false claims. At the same time he sets out a Step-By-Step Hair Power Regimen that doesn’t cost much except a little time and effort. In his opinion this is certainly the best hair loss treatment compared with prescription drugs and other remedies.

Mr. Phillips gives a very full explanation in his book regarding hair growth and the various factors contributing to hair loss. It is evident he is an expert in his field.

He believes the best hair loss treatment must involve the whole body. After all, applying lotions to the exterior or taking prescription drugs can be no match for understanding how your body works and the key elements of healthy blood and good blood circulation for hair follicles that work well and produce new hair.

“Hair Loss No More” is divided into 3 parts with an excellent Appendix section which provides illuminating information on popular methods considered by some to be the best hair loss treatment including drugs such as Rogaine and Propecia.

The first section of the book gives an in-depth consideration of male pattern baldness, female hair loss, the effect of diet and nutrition, exercise, stress, and heredity factors which have a bearing on hair loss.

Section two then focuses on what Mr. Phillips believes is the best hair loss treatment - his revolutionary Step-By-Step Hair Power Regimen. In details he sets out a three part regimen which treats the whole person to ensure the risk of hair loss is greatly reduced and healthy hair growth is maintained.

While it may take some effort to implement, the regimen makes sense. There are no hypish false claims here. It does require an examination of one’s lifestyle. But then, if you are serious about keeping your hair, I would imagine the sacrifice is minimal in view of what is at stake.

In section three, Mr. Phillips gives some of the best explanations of various hair loss procedures including laser, transplants, hair lotions, and drugs such as Rogaine and Propecia. Some of the details may surprise you.

Finally the Appendix gives much information on various methods for helping the body reduce stress and stay in good ‘operating condition.’

Mr. Phillips’ answer to the question “What is the best hair loss treatment” may not sit easy with anyone looking for a quick, easy, immediate solution. In all honesty such a remedy does not exist. Even the FDA has issued a statement to that effect.

However, the guidelines in “Hair Loss No More” certainly demands close examination. Treating hair loss from the inside my be the best hair loss treatment you can get!

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendation - a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug:

The NewHair Biofactors System with deep cleansing shampoo - Click here:

http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Browse the “Hair Loss No More” Table of Contents here:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/hair-loss-no-more-guide.html

Hair Loss Research Library:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/Hair-Loss-Library

Rogaine hit the world by storm back in 1988 after gaining FDA approval. Since then many Rogaine review articles have been published extolling the virtues of this wonder drug in promoting hair growth.

However, it is necessary to read between the lines and do more thorough research into the background of this drug to get an objective Rogaine review.

In his ebook “Hair Loss No More”, Jonathon E. Phillips, an international hair loss analyst who has helped many people including celebrities and sports professionals, presents lesser known information regarding the marketing of Rogaine. (See resource box for more information)

While Mr. Phillips’ book provides a complete education on hair growth and hair loss including his own Step-By-Step Hair Power Regimen, the Appendix section contains helpful information on popular hair loss drugs and remedies including Rogaine.

While this information is to be found with a little digging on the internet on public domain web sites operated by the US government, we owe it to Mr. Phillips for bringing lesser known facts into the spotlight that should be carefully considered when looking for an objective Rogaine review.

As you will discover by checking government sources, Rogaine is a brand name for the drug Minoxidil, manufactured by the Upjohn company, which was originally prescribed for patients with high blood pressure. Those who took the drug noticed increased hair growth.

In view of the huge interest worldwide for a product that would stop hair loss and promote new hair growth, the media obviously took great interest in this information. Upjohn realized it could be sitting on a virtual goldmine and invested time and resources into testing Minoxidil for hair loss.

Numerous studies were initiated in different parts of the USA and the public interest in these tests can only be described as phenomenal.

Herein lies the danger with any Rogaine review. The public in general desperately wants to find a hair loss remedy. It seemed from the intense interest surrounding the Rogaine tests that the public just ‘wanted it to work.’

The 1987 hearing held by the FDA (Federal Food & Drug Administration) lasted for four hours and was attended by hundreds of people including 40 financial analysts and a number of television crews.

The five doctors on the panel unanimously approved Rogaine as safe and effective but warned it was not a cure all. The panel chairman even made the comment that he didn’t consider it a major medical breakthrough. It was shown to be effective on a small number of those tested.

In fairness to Upjohn, when giving information for promotional material, they stressed that results were better for younger men who had been losing hair for less than 10 years. They also pointed out that it was only effective on the crown of the head, not on the sides or for receding hairlines.

It seems when considering many a Rogaine review that these details are glossed over to a certain extent.

Yes the manufacturer clearly states Rogaine does not work for everyone and individual results will vary.

Also consider this: Embarking on a treatment of Rogaine will last for many months and involve an outlay of a few hundred dollars. Those who see some improvement then need to maintain the medication to avoid losing any hair gained.

As clinical test results showed about 55% of the men who used Rogaine saw some improvement, there is a fair chance a user might be in the 45% who didn’t see any improvement.

Mr Phillips makes an astute observation however regarding the effect of Rogaine’s main ingredient, the drug Minoxidil. It serves to underline one of the main philosophies in his book “Hair Loss No More.”

The fact that Minoxidil was originally prescribed for high blood pressure with a resultant side effect of increased hair growth in some patients underscores the connection between good blood circulation and hair growth.

Pay attention to your diet so as to maintain healthy blood, invest time and energy in proper exercise to contribute to good blood circulation, and you are well on the way to a healthy head of hair. The hair follicle needs nourishment from the blood and Minoxidil seems to prove that.

So if you are considering a course of Minoxidil for hair loss, be aware when reading through a Rogaine review and try and analyze it objectively. Is it full of hype? Is sufficient attention drawn to the limitations of Rogaine or is it a case of the writer ‘wanting’ the product to work?

Make your own Rogaine review after considering all the facts!

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendation - a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug:

The NewHair Biofactors system stops hair loss within 1 week guaranteed - Click here: http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Browse the “Hair Loss No More” Table of Contents here: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/hair-loss-no-more-guide.html

Comprehensive Information On Rogaine And Best Prices: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/rogaine.html

Hair loss is a big problem for millions of men and even for some women. These times, people pay so much attention to looks and a full head of hair is one of the prerequisites of looking good. Fortunately there are ways of knowing how to deal with hair loss, from the simplest to the most advanced. These steps may help you to learn how to deal with hair loss or prevent it from taking place.

Here are some tips on how to deal with hair loss:

1. Use milder shampoo - a lot hair loss problems stem from using shampoos that are harsh and damaging to the hair and scalp. The best way to prevent losing or stop your hair from thinning this way is to use mild shampoos. Usually clear ones are milder than others. You might even benefit from baby shampoo, whose ingredients are mild enough to deal with sensitive infant hair.

2. Another tip on how to deal with hair loss is avoid using your finger nails when shampooing - a lot of people think that using their fingernails when shampooing can stimulate hair growth. This actually over stimulates hair follicles and makes them work too hard that hair fall off. It is better to use just the pads on your fingers instead.

3. Avoid harsh manual and chemical treatments is another tip on how to deal with hair loss - people try very hard to make their hair look good, but some of the usual steps for doing hair can actually cause damage, sometimes irreparable. Avoid getting perms, straightening hair, dyeing, tight braiding, bleaching, blow drying, or at least keep these things at a minimum. Be sure to have such processes done only by professionals who know more about hair care than you do.

4. When drying hair, just pat it dry - avoid rubbing your hair with a towel because it can split hair and cause damage. If you need to dry your hair quickly, use the coolest setting of the blow dryer. It is better to use an Ionic blow dryer if you can find one because it helps prevent damage from heat and static electricity.

5. Do not brush wet hair - hair is at its weakest point when it is wet and brushing just after washing your hair can easily damage it, causing you to lose more hair.

6. Sport an easy to wear hair-do - not only is it easy to have a wash-and-go hairstyle it is also a good way on how to deal with hair loss or preventing it from happening as you would not need to subject you hair to damaging styling routines. Shorter hair is usually good for this purpose.

7. Protect your hair from the sun - when you are going to a beach or just going out on a sunny day, apply leave-on conditioner, preferably one with sunscreen, on your hair to prevent sun damage.

8. After you swim, wash your hair with shampoo that has EDTA (ethylendiamine tetracetic acid), which neutralizes hair damaging chlorine. This substance is also found in commercial mayonnaise so if you cannot find shampoo like this, you may coat your hair with the condiment and then wash it with your regular shampoo.

Hair loss is a normal occurrence in life and there is no need to panic when you feel you are about to lose your crowning glory. Knowing how to deal with hair loss can help you prevent it from happening or worsening.

Did you know that there is a herbal cure for hereditary hair loss that you could make at home within 10 minutes with some plants and roots that probably grow in your own garden or that can be purchased at the supermarket for $1.00?

Do you like the idea of a basically free alternative from expensive hair re-growth treatments, which is totally organic, made in your own kitchen, and which is just as effective if not more so? If so then find out more how to deal with hair loss visit The Herbal Hair Regrowth Solution at Great Discovery-Health and Beauty

Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Keep Your Crowning Glory: How to Deal with Hair Loss. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

Many people agonize over the growth rate of their hair. Let’s face it, nothing grows out slower than a bad haircut! What most people don’t realize though, is that your hair is constantly going through 3 stages of growth. Once a hair falls out, it doesn’t mean that that’s it for that particular spot where that hair came from. Your hair is constantly going through the 3 steps - growing, shedding and fresh new growth. When you shed a hair, it’s not the first step toward baldness, but it’s just a continuation of an ongoing cycle.

We’ll start with the anagen stage where hair is just growing, getting longer. For some people a hair will continue growing for about 2 years, but for others, it could be as long as 6 years. The length of time that hair grows depends on how old you are and your genetic makeup. The growing or anagen stage is a lot longer for a teenager than for someone who is middle-aged. Your genetics also have a lot to say about how long your hair continues growing.

The second stage of hair growth is called the catagen. This is when the papilla (the factory for producing hair cells for growth) shuts down. This process generally takes between 2 or 3 weeks. When that happens, the follicle (the skin surrounding the hair root) begins to shrink.

The last step in this cycle is the telogen stage. During this stage the papilla (the hair growth factory) takes a rest and the follicle hangs onto the hair for about 2 or 3 months. The hair could fall out during this stage during combing/brushing or during shampooing. It won’t necessarily come out because it was dislodged, it could also be pushed out by the new hair that is starting to grow in the papilla.

In any given time, about 85% of your hair is in the longest stage, the anagen or growing stage. The other 15% is either in the catagen (shutting down) or telogen (shedding) stage. Because of that, you will loose between 50 and 200 hairs per day. It’s perfectly normal to lose and shed hair.

If everyone goes through the same 3 stages of hair growth, why do some people seem to be able to grow hair much faster than others? This is because the papilla (the hair growth factory) produces hair cells a lot faster for some people than for others. Also, the anagen, or growing stage, lasts a lot longer for some than for others. So if one person has an average rate of producing hair cells, and the growing stage lasts 2 years, s/he will have a lot shorter hair than the individual who papilla produces hair cells very quickly and whose growing stage lasts 6 years. But don’t be alarmed. When you lose your onger hairs, they are just finished growing and will very quickly be replaced by the other hairs that are longer and have been growing for some time. Remember - 85% of your hair is in the growing stage and only 15% in the catagen (shutting down) or telogen (shedding) stage. It’s not going to fall out all at once!

Nadine Visscher is the author of Cutting Your Own Hair and The Beginner’s Guide to Cutting Hair. She has been cutting hair for 20 years and now helps others learn the art of haircutting.

For potential users of Rogaine, side effects may not seem that serious. This is supported by the fact that Rogaine started out as a prescription only medication but since 1996 when the license came up for renewal, the FDA accepted the recommendation of an advisory committee that Rogaine be made available over the counter.

For the majority of users Rogaine side effects may be limited to an itchy scalp and skin irritation. However, if an individual is already receiving medication or has other medical conditions a closer look is advised to make sure Rogaine side effects do not create more serious health problems.

Here is a list of possible Rogaine side effects:

Adverse scalp conditions:

• irritation
• redness
• dryness
• flaking

Some users find a good anti-dandruff shampoo alleviates the problem. Users of Rogaine Extra Strength (5%) may wish to have a supply of the standard Rogaine (2%) and alternate them during the daily application. For example, the 2% could be used in the morning and the 5% at night.

Changes in blood pressure resulting in:

• increased heartbeat
• chest pains
• headaches
• fainting
• breathing difficulties

Rogaine contains the drug Minoxidil which was originally prescribed to lower blood pressure in patients suffering with high blood pressure. As Minoxidil relaxes blood vessels to make blood circulation easier a small number of users may find it affects them in the ways described above.

In such cases it is advisable to stop using the medication and consult with your medical practitioner.

Increased hair loss

It may seem strange that one of the Rogaine side effects is hair loss seeing the medication is intended to halt hair loss and promote new growth.

It is understandable however when you realize that Rogaine causes changes in the hair follicle so that weaker hairs are discarded before making way for new hairs to grow.

This hair shedding process should not last long. If it goes beyond a month seek medical advice from your doctor.

Greasy hair

Propylene Glycol was used in the original formulation which made hair greasy and sticky and difficult to manage. As the hair may already have been thin, making it heavy with Rogaine made it appear even thinner!

However, Rogaine Foam recently came on the market and this seems to address the problem. Rogaine Foam is only for men so women have to persevere with the 2% version, although this doesn’t cause the hair to be as greasy as the extra strength 5% version.

It is important for potential users to realize when evaluating Rogaine side effects that a long term commitment is needed when using this medication. Perseverance is needed and some recommend using it for six months or so before coming to a conclusion on whether it is working for you or not. A twice daily application is very important.

So Rogaine side effects may only result in some scalp irritation for a majority of users. In other cases, effects on blood circulation may make it advisable not to try this hair loss treatment option. If in doubt, discuss the Rogaine side effects which concern you with your medical practitioner.

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendation - a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug:

The NewHair Biofactors system stops hair loss within 1 week guaranteed - Click here: http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Comprehensive Information On Rogaine And Best Prices: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/rogaine.html

Comprehensive Information On Propecia And Best Prices: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/propecia.html

Rogaine is the brand name for a drug which contains Minoxidil in 2% and 5% doses designed to combat hair loss. The main question is: Does Rogaine work?

Consider these facts:

Minoxidil was originally developed to reduce high blood pressure. One of the side effects noted was increased hair growth in some patients. This aspect of the drug was then utilized to market a medication with huge profit potential given the number of men and women in the global market concerned about hair loss or thinning hair.

The individuals who experienced this side effect would obviously answer YES to the question “Does Rogaine work?”

However, the human body is a complex organism and each individual responds differently to drugs and medications. What works for some may not work for others.

The manufacturers of Rogaine brought out a heavier dosage version, called Rogaine Extra Strength (5%). Some sources report that this version of Rogaine was 45% more successful in stopping hair loss and generating new growth than the standard version (2%).

However, it is important to note these other observations:

About 55% of the men who took part in clinical trials reported an improvement in their hair loss dilemma. This means that in some men hair loss stopped, in others, hair loss not only stopped but there was an increase in density of hair on the scalp.

So 55 out of 100 men would say that Rogaine does work to a degree. The other side of that percentage is that 45 men out of 100 did not see any difference.

Added to that, it appears that Rogaine works best on younger men whose hair loss has not gone longer than 10 years. Also the bald patch should be smaller than 4 inches across with some hair growth in the middle.

Does Rogaine work for hair loss on any part of the scalp?

The answer to that is No! Rogaine can improve hair growth or at least stop hair loss on the top of the scalp, called the vortex area. Hair loss on the sides (temples) or a receding hairline are not helped by Rogaine.

The lower dosage 2% version can be used by women. They are not advised to use the extra strength as the 5% version can result in increased facial hair growth which many women would find unacceptable.

In this though Rogaine scores an advantage over the other FDA drug approved for hair loss, namely Propecia. Propecia is only for men as it works in a different way to Rogaine by neutralizing DHT through a process involving the male hormone testosterone. So at least women have some hope of arresting hair loss by using Rogaine.

In the hair loss industry it pays to be skeptical over wild claims of success. According to government guidelines, there is no current treatment that can be guaranteed to stop hair loss and promote new hair growth.

So keeping those factors in mind a realistic answer should be given to the question: Does Rogaine work!

Yes, Rogaine does work for some but be prepared for disappointment. Rogaine can help hair loss on limited areas of the scalp, it is not a total hair loss solution.

Additionally, only when it is used daily and persistently does Rogaine work for some. Patience and determination are needed as results may not be seen for some months. Hair loss can even increase in the early stages of taking the medication so be prepared to stick with the treatment.

Recommendation: Use a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug. The NewHair Biofactors system stops hair loss within 1 week guaranteed - Click here:

http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Comprehensive Information On Rogaine And Best Prices:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/rogaine.html

Comprehensive Information On Propecia And Best Prices:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/propecia.html

Rogaine Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment came on the market back in 1988 after gaining FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval to be sold as a prescription drug.

Then in 1996 the status was changed so Rogaine Minoxidil could be sold over the counter instead of being prescription only. This has no doubt accelerated the growth of Rogaine Minoxidil as a popular hair loss treatment for both men and women.

Minoxidil was originally a drug used to treat high blood pressure. It was marketed under the name Loniten by the Upjohn company (now part of Pfizer). It works by relaxing blood vessels to allow the blood to pass through easily. However, patients using Minoxidil for high blood pressure noticed the following side effects:

• hair growth
• weight gain
• increased heartbeat
• chest pain

It was the hair growth side effect that caught attention and after further development Minoxidil was manufactured in 2% and 5% doses under the brand name Rogaine to combat hair loss.

Two Versions

The 2% version could be used for men and women while the 5% version was recommended for men only. Some women who used the extra strength noticed undesirable facial hair growth.

In view of the effect on the blood circulation, heart patients are advised to consult their doctor before considering using Rogaine Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment.

In all its forms, Rogaine Minoxidil is a topical solution that needs to be massaged into the scalp areas affected by hair loss. This must be done daily and patience is needed as results may not be seen for many months. Initially there may even be more hair loss before improvement is seen.

In view of the fact that Rogaine Minoxidil changed from being a prescription only hair loss treatment to over the counter status indicates the side effects are no longer deemed that serious. In fact, from user feedback it appears the side effect that causes most concern is skin irritation on the scalp.

Additionally, users report that Rogaine Minoxidil can make the hair extremely greasy. Applying it first thing in the morning after a shower can result in the hair appearing limp and matted through the day - a condition many men and women find a major disadvantage.

Relief For Men

Relief for men has come in the form of Rogaine Minoxidil Foam. This new application seems to overcome this negative side effect. Like shaving foam in appearance, this new form of Rogaine Minoxidil can be easily applied to the scalp.

Rogaine Minoxidil Foam contains 5% Minoxidil and is therefore recommended for men only. It is suggested you wash your hands under cold water first before using the foam dispenser so the foam doesn’t melt so quickly in the hand before applying it to the scalp. The foam appears to melt as it comes to skin temperature.

It needs to be stressed that Rogaine Minoxidil is not a whole scalp hair loss treatment. In the clinical trials it worked best for hair loss on the crown of the head and mid-scalp area. Hair loss at the temples or a receding hairline seemed to not respond in the same way as hair loss or thinning hair on the top of the head.

Nevertheless, the popularity of Rogaine Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment cannot be disputed. From the time it came on the market in 1988 to the time it’s status was changed in 1996, some estimates put sales at over $700 million. From 1996 to the present with its over the counter availability the sales must be colossal.

Scientific studies indicate Rogaine Minoxidil does work for many. In one trial, over 55% of men regrew hair. That means 45% did not see any improvement. It seemed to work best on men who had been experiencing hair loss for less than 10 years with a balding patch under 4 inches across with some hairs in the middle of the balding patch.

A Realistic Appraisal

These details help give a realistic picture. As the manufacturer clearly states: “Not everyone responds to Rogaine. Individual results vary.”

There are at present only two FDA approved medications for hair loss treatment - Rogaine and Propecia. Propecia is for men only and it appears to have a higher success rate than Rogaine although the side effects need consideration as well as the lifelong commitment.

So if you are looking for a hair loss treatment, you may wish to consider Rogaine Minoxidil. You could be one of the group who find it is the answer they have been looking for.

Recommendation: Use a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug. The NewHair Biofactors system stops hair loss within 1 week guaranteed - Click here:

http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Comprehensive Information On Rogaine And Best Prices:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/rogaine.html

Comprehensive Information On Propecia And Best Prices:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/propecia.html

Saw palmetto, sereano repans, is often known as sabal, especially in Europe but also found under a number of other names. It is a native fan palm of the south east United States of America, especially in Florida. It was at one time part of the regular diet of the native American Seminole people, even though the taste has been described as repugnant by some. They would collect it, dry it out and use as a year round staple food. It was also used by early settlers as a medicine for cattle with urinary problems and in 1907 a saw palmetto drying facility was set up in Florida by Lilly and Company. It began to be introduced by drug companies in the 1950s when it was used in the treatment of prostate enlargement. It was especially effective when treating the early stages of the disease and considered to be less likely to cause the patient harm from side effects than using other drugs. It was later found to help with hair loss problems by limiting 5 Alpha Reductase action and so promoting healthy hair follicles. Now saw palmetto is becoming the herbal treatment of choice for alopecia androgenica.

Saw palmetto baldness treatment is said to work by interrupting hormonal signals and therefore reducing the uptake by the hair follicles of a damaging chemical called dyhydrotestosterone (DHT). There are both topical and oral preparations and these can complement each other by reducing DHT locally on the scalp and throughout the body so promoting healthy hair growth.

The study most often cited when explaining the benefits of saw palmetto baldness treatment was a trial run in 2002 by the group of scientists Nelson Prager, Karen Bickett, Nita French, and Geno Marcovici*. This was a relatively small study conducted under double-blind conditions on 19 men between the ages of 23 and 64 years with mild to moderate hair loss. The trial involved administering a oral daily dosage containing 400mg of liposterolic extract of saw palmetto (LESP) with additional [beta]-sitosterol and extra nutrients. Results after five months showed that there was an improvement in hair growth in 60% of the men taking the herbal combination. This compared to an 11% improvement of those receiving a placebo. Although the small number of men taking part in the study meant that the results could have occurred by chance the findings were still very encouraging.

There are now many companies selling saw palmetto baldness treatments and as such there can be problems with differences in recommended dosages. It is a natural product which means that there are variations in the amount of active ingredients that the berries contain. At present there are no regulated manufacturing standards for the purity of saw palmetto and so far the treatment has not yet been evaluated by the US food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for safety. Therefore purity and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed and there can also be wide variations in the quality and concentration from brand to brand. Customers should therefore only buy from reputable companies and must ensure that the preparation contains the saw palmetto lipid extracts. These are the plants natural active ingredients such as fatty acids, oils, waxes and steroids and these are not contained in the juice, bark or dried berries.

Saw palmetto baldness treatments are low in toxicity and now widely used in North America for the treatment hair loss and also used to treat prostate enlargement. Sometimes as an extra step, high concentration saw palmetto in gel form is applied topically to the scalp for improved results. For the early stages of male pattern baldness saw palmetto seems to offer a relatively safe form of treatment before resorting to prescribed drugs.

One note of caution, although saw palmetto can be used by most people, it has not been proven to be safe for women during pregnancy and lactation.

*Prager N, Bickett R, French N et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-[alpha]-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med 2002; 8(2): 143-152.

John Tulley is the author of the new free e-book, “Hair Loss Treatments: How to Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Your Hair!”, available here: http://www.alpha7haircare.com

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) gave its answer to the question “Does Propecia Work? when it gave approval to Merck & Co. to market this drug back in 1998.

For any drug to receive FDA approval, years of tests are involved and a huge investment of time and resources on the part of the pharmaceutical companies involved.

In the case of Propecia, over 1,500 men were involved in a two year study. The results showed that over 80% noticed an improvement in their hair growth and density. So the answer to the question “Does Propecia work?” is: Yes, in the majority of cases.

Obviously results differ on an individual basis and some men will experience better results than others. The drug needs to be taken daily for at least 2-3 months before making a final decision as to whether it is worth continuing.

Bear in mind that once you start taking Propecia you have committed yourself to a lifelong course of medication. Stop taking Propecia after hair has started to increase and you risk losing what you gained.

Just how does Propecia work?

The male hormone testosterone is involved. It is a contributing factor in the production of DHT, (Dihydrotestosterone) which can cause hair follicles to malfunction and shut down. Propecia blocks the process in which DHT is formed.

Each Propecia tablet contains 1mg of Finasteride, a drug originally used to combat prostate cancer in men over 50. It was prescribed in 5mg doses. It was noted that those who used this drug often experienced increased hair growth. Propecia is just the brand name of a different version of Finasteride specifically prescribed to combat male hair loss on the crown of the head or the mid-scalp area.

Does Propecia work for women too?

No. Precautions issued with the drug stress that this medication is for men only.

Additionally, although each tablet is coated pregnant women or women who think they might be pregnant are advised not to handle this medication. Contact with crushed or broken Propecia tablets can lead to deformities in the sex organs of male children.

Does Propecia work for all kinds of hair loss?

No. The drug is effective for hair loss on the crown of the head and mid-scalp. There is insufficient evidence to suggest it can help a receding hair line or loss of hair on the sides of the head.

From comments on user forums to do with hair loss it is evident that Propecia does work for many men. However, there are serious precautionary factors to consider:

1. This is a lifelong commitment which can be quite costly. Additionally the long term effects over decades of use are at this point impossible to predict.

2. A small percentage of men (around 3%) experienced various forms of sexual dysfunction including impotence, once they started taking Propecia. These effects quickly disappeared once the medication was stopped. In the clinical trials it is true that around 2% of the men using the placebo, a sugar tablet, also experienced forms of sexual dysfunction. So the number of men actually affected is quite small. However, it is important to be aware of these side effects.

Regretfully there is no ideal solution for hair loss at this time. However, there are a variety of choices available in combating hair loss. Prescription drugs such as Propecia are one option. Natural herbal remedies without side effects are another. See the resource box.

In conclusion: Does Propecia work? Yes, in the majority of cases from all the clinical evidence and user feedback available. Are you prepared for the possible implications of long term use? That is something you have to seriously consider.

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendation - a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug:

The NewHair Biofactors system stops hair loss within 1 week guaranteed - Click here:

http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Comprehensive Information On Propecia And Best Prices:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/propecia.html

Comprehensive Information On Rogaine And Best Prices:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/rogaine.html

Prescription Propecia became available in 1998 after Merck & Co., the company that manufactures this drug obtained FDA approval. Since then with the opening up of numerous pharmacies online it seems easier than ever to obtain this drug.

However, be aware of the following precautions before you order prescription Propecia:

1. Propecia is for men only, and 1 tablet has to be taken orally each day. Be prepared to take it for many years as the hair you gain through the use of this drug can be lost once the medication is discontinued. Hence, calculate the expense and determine whether you are prepared for this financial outlay.

2. Although over 80% of the men in clinical trials experienced positive results in keeping their hair and seeing new growth, a small number, around 3%, experienced some form of sexual dysfunction. These side effects disappeared shortly after the drug was discontinued.

3. Prescription Propecia is specifically to help hair growth in the mid-scalp and crown area. There is no evidence to prove it is effective with a receding hairline or for hair loss on the temples.

4. The long term effects of taking prescription Propecia are unknown. If a man starts taking this drug in his twenties and has to continue to avoid hair loss, by the time he is in his fifties he will have been on the drug for 30 years. As Propecia has only been on the market since 1998 it is not possible to determine what effects this could have in the long term.

5. A personal consultation with your medical practitioner is recommended before taking any drug. Ordering from an online pharmacy may or may not be safe. A questionnaire has to be filled out before the online pharmacy can fill the order. Be sure you research the web site and look for symbols or links indicating the pharmacy is licensed and registered with a government agency.

6. Check that the web site you wish to order from has medical professionals acting as consultants and be prepared to ask questions directly to these professionals and evaluate the response, both for speed and professionalism.

7. Remember that individuals react differently to drugs and medications. Prescription Propecia may work well for some men and not for others. Be prepared to wait patiently for at least 2-3 months before drawing a conclusion at to whether Propecia is working for you or not. If you do not see a difference in your hair density after this time then consider stopping the medication.

While FDA approval certainly gives Prescription Propecia legitimacy, some search for alternatives in view of the unknown long term side effects and cost of continued usage.

NewHair Biofactors is one such alternative. It is a natural herbal solutions, non-prescription, and much cheaper than prescription Propecia.

Although not FDA approved, it has been on the market since 1993 and it it has helped thousands of men and women stop hair loss and increase the density of their hair growth, while maintaining a healthy scalp.

Clinical studies reported in the Medical Post of 1993 reported an 85.7% success rate in the 148 participants in the study. Check the resource box for details.

Prescription Propecia may just be the answer you are looking for to combat hair loss. On the other hand, if the precautions listed above make you cautious, it is encouraging to note there is an alternative which also has a high success rate.

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendation - a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug:

The NewHair Biofactors system stops hair loss within 1 week guaranteed - Click here: http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

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