For those looking to find a permanent solution for their hair loss, but are averse to any type of surgery, needles, and any medical procedure, there are some solutions that can work and are popular and safe.
These consist of either an orally administered drug or a topical solution. There are many other claimed “solutions” which you can find on the Internet, but for now we will focus on those that are popular and have some proven record of preventing hair loss, and/or the ability to regrow hair. I would be remiss not to mention the recently advertised Hair Cloning, which involves the stem cells to regrow hair, although this treatment is currently in its preliminary stages, and still involved in complex medical trials. If you happen to come across a doctor or clinic which advertises this procedure, you should be somewhat skeptical and find another solution.
Why would someone forgo hair transplants for alternative treatments?
As a results oriented procedure, hair transplants have proven to be the most effective, long -lasting, and most popular of all hair replacement methods. Unfortunately, this treatment is not a viable option for a large part of the population.
The primary reason why an individual might forgo a hair transplant is the cost involved. To give a general idea as to the cost, in the U.S., a transplant will set you back between $3,000 – $30,000. Most of the time it’s an out of pocket expense as it’s an elective procedure and will not be covered by insurance. Because it is a surgical procedure which involves a qualified doctor, medical team, office, anesthesia and in some cases advanced robotics (ARTAS), the cost can be prohibitive. Even with the competitive prices in countries such as Hungary, it is sometimes just too expensive.
Another reason, which might seem a bit unusual, is the fact that for a proper and quality transplant, the head of the patient must be shaved, and for some individuals this is not acceptable. Hair transplants will not provide immediate results and on average, it will take between 8-10 months for the hair to grow out. There are available methods for transplanting longer or long hair, but many of these methods fall short because of the strain and the weight on the newly implanted follicle.
As with any type of surgery you will have to have blood taken and tested. These tests check for any health issues which would prevent you from having the transplant surgery. Diabetics and those who are HIV positive can undergo hair transplants, although this is determined by the clinic in which the surgery is performed. For women, there are other issues and concerns which are not applicable to men, so check with your doctor to discuss viable options and whether you are a good candidate.
What are the alternatives to Hair Transplant Surgery?
The 3 main options for this type of treatment are Minoxidil (Rogaine®), Finasteride (Propecia and Proscar) and TRX2®. Both Minoxidil and Finasteride are pharmaceutical drugs and both have been approved by government organizations such as the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). As such these two have undergone scrutiny, tests and trials before they could be approved as a prescription drug for the public.
What is TRX2®, what are its uses and side-effects?
TRX2®, produced by Oxford Biolabs Ltd., is NOT a drug and does not need a prescription to use. It is considered a dietary supplement and has not gone through any of the testing or rigorous case studies which both Minoxidil and Finasteride have been subjected. TRX2 can be taken orally, as a topical lotion, or foam applied to the scalp of the thinning area. This is a natural “cure” and contains no drugs or any type of medications. Its two main ingredients are vitamins and amino acids. A more detailed list of the ingredients includes potassium chloride, nicotinic acid, L-tartaric acid, L-carnitine, L-leucine, isoleucine, valine, and biotin.
TRX2 is recommended for both men and women who are experience thinning hair and progressive hair loss. This supplement will not provide immediate results and will require the individual to continue its use for as long as they would like to see results. Most results will occur between 8 -12 months for the average patient. The regrowth process can take time, as the hair growth starts as a new hair. It is comparable to shaving your head completely and waiting for the hair to grow to its previous length.
Because TRX2 is a vitamin, and not a drug, the side effects are limited, although there are a few which need to be taken into consideration. For pregnant women, it is advised that you do not take the supplement, since its long-term use has not been studied. There is a chance of an allergic reaction on your skin as well as some gastrointestinal issues, most notably an upset stomach and diarrhea.
With regards to its cost, compared to other non-surgical treatments, TRX2 is very affordable. Compared to hair transplants, it’s a bargain. Of course, all of this is contingent upon the fact that it works. The approximate cost is €95.00 or €50.00 per month, depending on which treatment you use, and you must use it for a whole year to see the expected results.
Does TRX2® work for Hair Loss?
The Oxford Biolabs Ltd. website is a slick and professional presentation which showcases their product and its results. They claim that TRX2 works on 80% of those involved in their study and provide the criteria for the study, as well as graphs and charts. On face value, you would conclude that TRX2 does work and that it is cost effective. Digging a bit deeper and looking at all the information presented by users and doctors, the results are not as optimistic as those presented by Oxford Biolabs Ltd.
At the end of the day, when all the smoke has cleared and the professional website presentation is gone, the fact remains that it is still a supplement. Call it what you will, but there is no magic or “Eureka” moment for TRX2®. Any assessment requires you to analyze the pros and cons of a decision and whether its right for you or not
What is Finasteride (Propecia and Proscar), what are its uses and side effects?
Finasteride, a product of Merck & Co., is a medication used for both hair loss and an enlarged prostate. Many medications are introduced to cure a specific ailment, but after long-term use are shown to remedy other medical issues. With Finasteride, the original use was to shrink an enlarged prostate. Finasteride is considered a drug and you need a prescription from a doctor for its use.
The leading cause of male pattern baldness is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone, which blocks hair growth. 5-alpha reductase (5RA) is the cause of this process, and by taking Finasteride, you can block this process and create an environment for the hair to grow.
Finasteride is taken orally as a 1 mg daily dose. Because of its dual use and potency, Finasteride has some serious side effects which should be considered when deciding to take this drug. The results for women differ from men, and in most cases, it does not work for women. Another concern is birth defects, which even if the pill is handled and not taken, could still prove dangerous for both the woman and child. If you are married and planning on having children, it is recommended that you take these issues into consideration.
For men, there are a list of side-effects which come with both short-term and long-term use. As mentioned above, Finasteride was initially used to reduce an enlarged prostate and because of this, some of the side effects can be somewhat off putting.
More Common:
- Lack of libido or low interest in sexual intercourse
- Difficulty in keeping an erection
- Confusion
- Chills and Cold sweats
- Some Dizziness and Wooziness
Less Common:
- Itchy and redness of the skin
- Hives/Welts
- Bloating
- Runny nose, stuffy nose and sneezing
- Diarrhea
Is Finasteride a viable option for Hair Loss?
First you must remember that taking any drug can have side effects and some of them can be serious. This must be taken into consideration when weighing your options for Finasteride and Minoxidil. After a 5-year study on qualified candidates for this treatment, 90% of men had either stopped their hair loss or saw growth of new hair. The initial recommended period for use is one year, although your doctor will first assess whether this is a good option for you, or not. As with any non-surgical method for hair loss, patients must be realistic and show patience, as results will tend to become obvious only after a full year of use.
For an enlarged prostate, you will need to take a daily dose of 5 mg of Proscar. This is in most cases covered by your insurance, and price is not a concern. In the case of hair loss, you will be taking a 1mg daily dose of Propecia. Unfortunately, because this is considered elective treatment, it will not be covered by insurance. The generic price is approximately €.50 per tablet which comes out to €50.00 per month. For the non-generic (Merck) the price can range between €1.85 (€55.00 monthly) and €2.50 per pill (€75.00 monthly). A year’s supply will cost you between €600.00 and €900.00. Certainly not a huge some, but spread over 10 years it’s in the thousands of Euros.
A few things must be taken into consideration when making a decision. Side effects, cost, results and alternatives. One more thing you must consider; if you’re looking ten years down the road with regards to cost and effectiveness, chances are good that a new solution for hair loss will be created. Finasteride is a viable solution for hair loss and if you are dead set against any type of transplant surgery and are a good candidate, then I would recommend Finasteride as a non-surgical hair loss option.
What is Minoxidil (Rogaine and Regaine), what are its uses and side effects?
Minoxidil, as with Finasteride, is a drug and was originally produced to treat high blood pressure. After its continual use by both men and women, it was proven to treat androgenic alopecia and thus became a prescribed drug for those looking to regrow. By 1996 after extensive long-term use and studies, Minoxidil was offered as an Over the Counter (OTC) medication and could be purchased online and at your local pharmacy and other outlets. Because of certain side-effects, Minoxidil used is a topical solution which is applied to the thinning or balding area. Although it’s an OTC medication, it is advisable to consult with your physician before deciding to start treatment, especially if you have heart disease.
Minoxidil works by reactivating your natural hair growth and treating the shrunken cells caused by hereditary. Rogaine® is the most popular hair loss treatment and in the case of doctors, it is the number 1 recommended treatment for hair regrowth. Rogaine is very effective for hair regrowth and works in 85% of the cases with results in 4-6 months. Twice a day is the recommended use and must be strictly followed the achieve these results.
Because Rogaine is a topical solution, the side-effects are less serious than Finasteride, although there are a few which you should be aware.
- itchy and redness of scalp
- eye irritation or burning
- increased facial hair (rare)
- reddening of the skin and swelling of face (rare)
- chest pain, dizziness, headache, fainting and other issues can be caused from the body absorbing too much of the medication
If any of these issues occur or you experience changes in your body or your health, please contact your physician!
Is Minoxidil a viable option for hair loss?
As the number one medication recommended by doctors, Minoxidil is the best option for non-surgical hair loss solutions. The side effects are minimal and the empirical data suggests that it does work. Another factor to consider is the cost of Rogaine and how it is competitively priced. Since becoming an OTC product and the introduction of other companies creating a similar product, the price of Minoxidil has decreased. The price is roughly $30.00 per month. Once you start using the product, you must continue its use for the rest of your life, as any suspension of use will reverse its results.
As with any hair loss treatment, there are an increasing number of advances in both medication and transplants which could be a suitable replacement for Minoxidil. Short of a hair transplant, Minoxidil is a great alternative and could be the solution for that full head of hair.
What is the best option for hair loss?
The problem with taking any kind of drug, supplement or applying medication topically, are the long-term effects and how they impact each individual. We know that both Finasteride and Minoxidil were intended for other specific purposes, but after long term use, these drugs effected the body in unforeseen ways. Luckily, the effects were positive (Hair Growth), but there is always the chance that the side-effects could be harmful. And although their results are proven, there really haven’t been any major advancements with these products or other medications, since the time they were introduced.
Time after time, hair transplant surgery has proven to be the best solution: most effective and least harmful, as well as the solution which has advanced markedly in the past few years. The techniques, instruments, successes and costs have outperformed even the most optimistic predictions from just a decade ago. As the competition increased, not just in one’s own country but abroad, the patient has been the one to benefit with competitive costs and results that are simply astounding.
Hungary has become, and continues to be, one of the world-wide leaders in hair transplant surgery. This Central European country has fought off competition from larger and wealthier countries to become the number one destination for hair transplants in Europe.
If your goal is to enjoy a full head of hair at competitive prices with the most modern techniques and equipment available, performed by the most qualified doctors, then come to Hungary and experience medical tourism at its best.
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