AU Hair Loss Reviews

According to the American Hair Loss Association, about 95% of hair loss in men is a direct result of androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. This is a hereditary condition caused by a genetic sensitivity to a byproduct of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Essentially, the hair follicles shrink as a result of this sensitivity and over time they become so small they stop producing hair, resulting in baldness. The pattern of the baldness is predicted and follows one of two patterns:

• Hair thins at the top and around the temples, resulting in a “horseshoe” shape being created
• Hair recedes from the front of the hairline to the back

The other 5% of hair loss in men is caused by factors such as high stress levels, an imbalance diet, the usage of specific medication, an unhealthy lifestyle, and other illnesses or underlying medical conditions. As we mentioned above, you’ll want to stick with legit providers who will take the time (and who have the systems) to try to figure out if you have an underlying condition that needs more serious medical intervention. If you have any concerns that your hair loss is from something serious, see your primary care doctor asap.

The easiest way to tell if the medical establishment (and government) in the US considers a treatment option legitimate is to see if the medicine is FDA approved. The US Federal Drug Administration puts medicines through an exhaustive review process to determine if the drug works – and if the side effects are worth the health improvement.

The two FDA-approved hair loss medicines are:

• topical Minoxidil
• oral Finasteride

We’ll get into the details of these two drugs in a bit. A few other topical treatments for male hair loss aren’t FDA approved, but have been used safely and effectively by millions of men:

• topical Finasteride
• “Finoxidil” – topical finasteride + minoxidil (2-in-1)
• topical Dutasteride

The effectiveness of minoxidil and finasteride vary from person to person. However, as a whole these medications are well-tested and proven to be effective for hair loss prevention in most men. We’ve compiled a ton of academic studies demonstrating the result of finasteride from legitimate clinical trials of real men. While both finasteride and minoxidil aren’t without occasional (i.e. rare) side effects, they tend to be effective for the vast majority of men suffering from hair loss. 

Generally patients see results in 3 to 6 months, although these medicines are NOT a cure for hair loss. As soon as the medication stops, patients may re-experience hair loss. However, changes to one’s lifestyle (i.e. diet, sleep schedule, and changes to habits) can help slow the speed of hair loss.

The most common side effects of finasteride include:

• Depression
• Erectile dysfunction
• Decreased libido due to the blocking of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

NOTE: Finasteride CAN interact with other medication since it is typically taken orally that is taken so please consult a doctor before starting.

The most common side effects of minoxidil include:

• Irritation or development of eczema
• Abnormal hair growth (or even hair loss)
• Application site redness or burning sensation or acne
• Inflammation or soreness at root of hair
• Reddened skin
• Swelling of face

NOTE: There are more potential side effects of minoxidil, however since this is a topical treatment it typically doesn’t interact with other medication.

Yes! A popular method of hair loss prevention method is called “Finoxidil” with is a mixture of finasteride and minoxidil which seems to be more effective than either of the medicines individually.