Is Frontal Hair Loss Reversable?

What Causes Frontal Hair Loss?

Frontal hair loss is most often the result of a condition called androgenic alopecia. This condition results from either too much of the hormone DHT or Dihydrotestosterone in the bloodstream or having hair follicles that are genetically prone to damage from any amount DHT. The genetic susceptibility of some men to DHT may cause them to start to experience frontal hair loss as early at their late teens.

What Treatments For Frontal Hair Loss Are Available?

The most common treatment used by doctors is the prescription drug Propecia, sold generically as finasteride. Finasteride works by reducing the total serum level of DHT. This eventually reduces the amount of DHT around the hair follicle, allowing it to thrive.

Rogaine and Propecia In Tandem

Frontal hair loss may also be slowed by using Rogaine along with finasteride. Although Rogaine (minoxidil) is not advertised for frontal hair loss there is some evidence that it does work. Rogaine works by increasing circulation to hair follicles.

One study of fifty adult men experiencing some degree of frontal hair loss found that the study group that used 5% Rogaine twice a day plus Propecia saw the following results: Forty percent of the study group saw no further frontal hair loss, twenty two percent saw some fine regrowth and forty percent saw no positive effects.

There have been some small studies, such as one at the University of Naples in Italy, that have shown that a topical solution of saw palmetto extract can reduce frontal hair loss. There are many testimonials about the herb saw palmetto as a baldness cure but not enough studies have been done to prove it’s efficacy. Products such as Revivogen include saw palmetto as a DHT fighting agent.  For more about using saw palmetto for hair loss see: Does Saw Palmetto Prevent Hair Loss?

Hair Transplants

Hair transplants are the method of last resort for many men. Micro grafts, or very tiny hair transplants are being used with excellent results. This method involves taking a very small number of hairs from the rear of the scalp or nape of the neck and transplanting them to the front of the scalp. The procedure requires multiple doctor visits and is still quite costly. It is however the best way to restore frontal hair in men and women.

Future Treatments For Frontal Hair Loss

Researchers are hopeful that a gene based therapy for hair loss will be available soon. Stem cell therapy is one exciting area of research. It is hoped that hair follicle producing stem cells can be grown from a patients own genetic material and injected into areas of the scalp where hair loss is occurring. Many obstacles remain and it could be a decade before gene based hair loss treatment becomes available.