On what parts of the scalp do Medical treatments for hair loss like Minoxidil actually work?
There is no permanent cure for male pattern baldness at this time. Medical treatments work best by retarding or preventing future hair loss. There are no known medications that can significantly regrow hair once it has been lost.
Although their mechanisms of action are different the two FDA-approved medicines for hair loss work on similar “targets.” Both drugs work only on miniaturized hair by increasing their diameter. Neither medication will work on areas that are totally bald. Both work in any areas on the scalp that are subject to androgenetic changes i.e. the front, top and crown. The medications work best in the crown where the miniaturization period is more prolonged. However, if there is miniaturization in the front of the scalp the medications can regrow hair in this part of the scalp as well.
As far as preventing hair loss, they work in all parts of the scalp subject to androgenetic changes. Both medications are far more effective in preventing future hair loss than in regrowing hair.
Remember that of the two, Minoxidil is far less effective for both regrowing hair and preventing hair loss. Their actions do appear to be synergistic and their use together may be advantageous, particularly in young people.
Does the medicine work only in the back of the head?
It can work all over, as long as the balding is not complete. It has the potential to work wherever there are miniaturized (fine) hairs. It is just that the crown has a longer phase where the hairs are in their transitional state. That is why it is important to treat the front early on.
Once I start, won’t I have to use the medication for life?
Not necessarily. You use it only as long as you want it to work to hold onto your hair. And there will be even better treatments in the future. However, regardless of future medical advances, it will always be much easier to hold onto your hair than to try and grow it back.
Where can I get the medication?
is an Irish based online pharmacy which specialises in hair loss treatments and offers next day delivery on all orders to anywhere on the island of Ireland.
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About the Author
DR Maurice Collins
Consultant Surgeon
MB, B.Ch, BAO, DLO, FRCSI, FRCS, FRCSEd.
Registered with the Medical Council of Ireland
Dr Collins is Medical Director and Team Principal of Hair Restoration Blackrock. He was educated at Belvedere College Dublin and did his undergraduate medical studies at University College Dublin. After graduating as a doctor he trained in General Surgery and received his Fellowship (FRCSI) in this specialty from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Find out more about DR Maurice Collins and our team of doctors and surgeons.
