$Unique_ID{BRK00532}
$Pretitle{Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Do Hair Products for Balding Really Help Hair to Grow?}
$Subject{balding medications}
$Volume{L-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Do Hair Products for Balding Really Help Hair to Grow?


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QUESTION:  I am a young man, and really too young to start balding.  But the
hair loss is now pretty visible, and I am confused by all the advertising for
hair products that I see on television.  Are any of them proven, and do they
really help hair to grow?  I don't want to spend my hard earned bucks for
nothing.

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ANSWER:  You pose an excellent question, one that applies as well to many
types of advertising for health products on television.  The secret is in the
listening.  The ads I've seen do not claim to promote new growth in so many
words, but tell of "stopping the loss" of hair through natural means.  By this
they mean that their product is not a medication in the sense that it acts on
disease process through chemical means, and therefore it is not approved by
the Food and Drug Administration.  "Natural means" could refer to a cleansing
process that might help the general scalp condition, but these claims are
never quite clear.  The one product that does have scientific evidence to back
its claims and an FDA approval is Rogaine (minoxidil is the generic name)
produced by the Upjohn Company.  It is an active agent that has been used in
the control of high blood pressure, and was found to promote the hair growth
in balding men.  It is indicated for male pattern baldness of the top of the
head (vertex).  The medication, obtained with a doctor's prescription, will
cost you about $2.00 a day, must be used continuously for life and is most
effective in younger men, men with balding of less than ten year duration, and
men whose bald spot area, is less than 4 inches.  And it doesn't work on every
one.  About 1/4 of men using the medication over a period of 1 year displayed
no growth, or growth of only very fine (vellus) hair.  You can obtain more
information directly from the manufacturer, by calling the Rogaine Hot Line
1-800-635-0655 from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.  An
attentive and polite representative will answer all your questions.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
