Finasteride

Finasteride is an inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme responsible for the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It was originally used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia or prostate enlargement. It is only available via doctor's prescription and should not be used without prior medical consultation.

Studies discovered that the blocking of DHT production by finasteride can also stop hair loss in 83% and increase hair count in 60% of men (with only 42% showing visible improvement).

As DHT is required for normal sexual functions in men, the side effects of finasteride include sexual performance problems, such as impotence or erectile dysfunction. This side effect lasts for as long as the medicine is taken. Finasteride is also not approved for women and has not been shown to work for receding hairline at the temple.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical solution that is thought to work by promoting blood microcirculation to hair follicles. It is available without prescription in two forms: a 2% solution for men and women and a 5% extra-strength for men only.

Minoxidil is not a DHT inhibitor and does not cause hair loss to stop. Instead, it promotes new hair growth by forcing the hair follicles to grow, and in some people, can successfully override the hair loss rate. The new hair, however, is often thinner and finer than regular hair.

While its side effects are usually mild, such as skin irritation, inflammation, and redness at the site of application, overabsorption of the 5% solution, however, can cause vision changes, chest pain, unwanted facial hair growth, and even irregular heart beat.

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat prostate enlargement. Studies have suggested that it does this in a similar way to the chemical drug finasteride, that is by blocking the production of DHT.

In orally ingested supplement form, saw palmetto extract blocks the production of DHT throughout the entire body. In topical solution, it is thought that the extract blocks only local scalp DHT production.

Although there is suppossed to be less or no unwanted side effects from taking saw palmetto (unlike finasteride), there is currently no studies that link saw palmetto to preventing hair loss.

Vitamin B12, Iron, and Zinc

Because Vitamin B12 is only present in foods derived from animals, its deficiency has been linked to hair loss in strict vegetarians. This form of hair loss can often be reversed by taking Vitamin B12 supplements.

Similarly, iron and zinc deficiencies can lead to hair loss (typically general diffuse thinning of hair). Taking iron and zinc supplements can often lead to regrowth and reversal of this form of hair loss.

Biotin, Folic Acid, and Inositol

Deficiencies of biotin can lead not only to hair loss, but also premature graying as well. Lack of folic acid and inositol have been linked to severe hair loss. For these reasons, biotin, folic acid, and inositol supplements can be taken to help prevent and treat hair loss.

Standard Grafts, Minigrafts, Micrografts, and Follicular Unit Grafts

Hair grafts are divided into four general categories by size:

In follicular unit grafts, each graft is a natural grouping of 1 - 4 hair follicles.

In general, the smaller the graft size, the better the result. However, even micro and minigrafts breakup the natural arrangement and groupings of hair follicles. Micrographs also tend to produce a thin or diffuse look if used exclusively on the entire scalp and can cause inconsistent graft growth.

With follicular unit grafts, hair transplant surgeons can recreate hair patterns that mimic the way hair grows naturally. It is also a more efficient use of donor hair, and has less scarring problems than larger graft techniques. Of all the graft sizes, follicular unit graft surgery creates the best full hair look. It is also, however, the most expensive.

Hybrid Grafting, Blend Grafting, or Variagrafting

This grafting technique involve using larger grafts for the crown and smaller grafts for the frontal hairline and perimeter area of the transplant.

Hybrid grafting generally cost less and can be performed in less sessions than smaller graft techniques. In men with curly hair, hybrid grafting is can be used to reduce cost. When used in men with straight hair, however, hybrid grafting can create unsatisfactory looks.

Hand Punch, Mechanical Punch, Multi-Bladed Knife, and Single Strip Harvesting Methods

These are the different methods of harvesting the donor hair for grafts. In the original method, hand punch is used to cut single 4 mm grafts one at a time. Besides producing large grafts, the hand punch method also waste a lot of donor hair and is now rarely used.

The second method uses a mechanical punch to create multiple grafts of smaller size. However, because the donor hair is often damaged by the heat of the machine, and that scarring often occurs at the site of the extraction, this method is no longer in use.

A multi-bladed knife can be used to remove thin strips of skin and hair from the donor area. Although this method is simple and popular, improper cutting can result in significant damage to the donor tissue and loss of individual follicles. Furthermore, this method often yields follicles that have been broken out of its natural groupings.

In the single strip harvesting method, the donor tissue is removed in a single strip. Individual follicle units can then be dissected from the strip under a microscope.