Topical Spironolactone is an alternative to topical solutions such as Rogaine, Provillus or other Minoxidil-containing products. Spironolactone works as a potent “androgen blocker”. Whereas Propecia inhibits the creation of DHT, Topical Spironolactone also blocks DHT from binding to receptors and damaging your follicles.

Many consider the use of  both Propecia and Topical Spironolactone together as a highly effective way to protect your hair from further loss.

Spironolactone is marketed under a variety of brand names, including Aldactone, Novo-Spiroton, Aldactazide, Spiractin, Spirotone, Verospiron and Berlactone. Spironolactone is also a diuretic, and is therefore made available in forms other than a topical cream, and is not always intended solely as a solution for hair loss.

How does Topical Spironolactone work?

Hairs in certain parts of your scalp have been genetically programmed to respond to DHT. Whilst Propecia blocks DHT from forming in the first place, Spironolactone blocks the remaining DHT from attaching to your follicles.

To explain, hair follicles develop receptor sites. DHT binds to those receptors and tells your body to begin rejecting the follicles. The reason for this isn’t totally understood, but the solution is simple. Propecia stops DHT from forming, and Topical Spironolactone stops DHT from attacking.

What results can I expect from Topical Spironolcatione?

Provided the user has realistic expectations, it is likely that many people will have a positive experience using a Topical Spironolactone product. The science certainly stacks up.

Bear in mind however, that using the cream on totally bald areas of scalp will not yield results, as the follicles will be beyond repair. As with Rogaine, this product only benefits areas that still have active hair follicles remaining.

Minoxidil was first used exclusively as an oral drug to treat high blood pressure, however it was later discovered to have an interesting side-effect. Minoxidil may cause increased growth or darkening of fine body hairs. When the medication is discontinued, the hair will return to normal within 30 to 60 days. Upjohn Corporation produced a topical solution that contained 2% minoxidil to be used to treat baldness and hair loss, under the brand name Rogaine in the United States and Canada, and Regaine in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Treatments usually include a 5% concentration solution that is designed for men, whereas the 2% concentration solutions are designed for women.

In 2007 a new foam-based formulation of 5% minoxidil was claimed to be as effective as the liquid-based treatment for male pattern baldness.

While the drug is available in the United Kingdom, it cannot be prescribed on the NHS, so patients must either buy it over-the-counter or have a private prescription.

How does Minoxidil work?

The mechanism by which minoxidil promotes hair growth is not fully understood. Minoxidil contains the nitric oxide chemical moiety, and may act as a nitric oxide agonist. Similarly, Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener, causing hyperpolarization of cell membranes. Minoxidil is less effective when there is a large area of hair loss. In addition, its effectiveness has largely been demonstrated in younger men.

Hair regrowth on the forehead areas can be aided by using minoxidil in conjunction with a microneedle roller, which allows greater penetration of the product. This usage can also aid the regrowth to the scalp.

Minoxidil is also a vasodilator. It is speculated that by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the follicle. This can also cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, usually soon to be replaced by new, thicker hairs in a new anagen phase.

What products contain Minoxidil?

The most widely known product to contain Minoxidil as its principle active ingredient, is Rogaine, known as Regaine in the UK and Europe. Other products also contain Minoxidil, such as Provillus solution and Hairmax Gel.

The Provillus food supplement contains vitamins, minerals and various nutrients. Although the Provillus supplement is in many cases marketed as a product for prevention of hair loss and hair regrowth, like all other hair loss supplements there is no firm clinical evidence to suggest it will be effective to this purpose. The Provillus supplement is not licensed by the MHRA (UK) or approved by the FDA (US) and therefore is not a medically proven treatment for hair loss. There are also no widely known clinical trials having been carried out for these products.

Following research, many UK suppliers of Provillus seem only to offer the supplement, yet advertise the product as ‘containing an FDA Approved ingredient’. The FDA approved ingredient (Minoxidil) is not in fact contained in the supplement, only the liquid. If you are looking to purchase Provillus be sure to check that the liquid is included in your supply, as a significant level of hair loss prevention is unlikely from the supplement alone.

According to the Provillus website, they manufacture a 5% minoxidil liquid for men and 2% concentration for women. Provillus liquid is, in essence, a similar product to Rogaine. Minoxidil, the principle active ingredient in Rogaine, is one of only two products medically licensed in the UK and FDA approved in the USA, the other being Propecia.

The effects of baldness

Even if an underlying medical condition exists that is causing hair loss, baldness itself does not cause any physical damage or discomfort. The emotional and psychological effects of hair loss can however, have a significant impact on a persons self-esteem, and therefore, their quality of life.

At HIS Hair Clinics, we are often asked to provide hair loss advice, for those suffering from genetic hair loss, as well as various forms of alopecia and other conditions. What is apparent, is that losing ones hair creates a variety of feelings and insecurities including lack of self-worth, poor self-image, even to the point of believing oneself to be unattractive, and a general sense of feeling old and passed their prime.

Perhaps most significant, is the effect these feelings can have, on the day to day lifestyle of the individual. We have met clients who stopped socialising, deliberately avoiding going out with friends, family and colleagues. Several clients who had previously been happily married, have reported marital problems, often due to a lack of sex drive, a manifestation of their poor self-image. Many single guys struggle to meet eligible partners, due to a general avoidance of social situations, and a lack of confidence.

Baldness is not a life sentence

For those suffering from thinning hair, it is important to remember that baldness does not have to rule your life. Believe it or not, a lack of hair does not carry the same social stigma that it used to. Many women actually find bald men more attractive! Just look at celebrities like Vin Diesel, Jason Statham and Bruce Willis. Even under the critical spotlight of the world’s media, these men are not perceived to be any less attractive as a result of their baldness.

Solutions ARE available

In years gone by, the only viable solutions for hair loss were a hair transplant, hair systems or the constant wearing of a hat. Nowadays, the range of solutions is endless.

Short term solutions such as temporary concealers are now available, alongside a range of ongoing hair treatment options such as the HairMax Lasercomb, topical lotions including Rogaine and Nanogen Nanogaine, pills such as Propecia and Procerin, as well as a range of vitamins for hair loss such as Advecia.

Of course, permanent solutions are also an option. These include hair transplant surgery and our very own MHT^® technique.

In reality, many of these products are actually proven to work, in fact many of our clients have tried them with varying levels of success. It would be fair to say that no hair treatment as yet, can justifiably claim to offer the definitive answer to hair loss, however many offer mild benefits including the slowing of hair loss, and even the prevention of it, be it short or long term.

If, like many of our clients, you would be prepared to use a combination of different hair treatments, your results are likely to be more positive as a result.

What hair treatments are available?

For the purposes of this article, we’ll bypass options such as hair systems, hair transplant surgery, scalp pigmentation temporary concealers and pills such as Procerin and Propecia, and focus on hair treatments in the strictest sense, i.e lotions, shampoos and supplements.

Hair Loss Shampoo

There are several hair loss shampoo options available that claim to slow down, or even stop hair loss. The most popular amongst these are Revivogen and Nanogen Nanoguard.

Revivogen is a shampoo made from natural ingredients, that is marketed for the prevention of hair loss. Very little is known about Revivogen shampoo and conditioner. Several HIS clients have tried Revivogen with mixed results, however the general consensus is that the product may offer mild benefits as a hair loss remedy, but does not prevent hair loss entirely.

Nanogen Nanoguard is part of a vast range of branded hair loss products, marketed by Nanogen, a laboratory based in the UK. The manufacturer claims that the product can reduce hair loss, and recommends that it be used in conjunction with another product called Nanogen Nanogaine. The information we have gained via our clients is limited, therefore it is up to the individual to decide whether they would like to trial Nanogaine, as well as other hair loss remedies offered by Nanogen, for themselves.

Topical Lotions

Put simply, these products are applied to the scalp on a daily, or twice-daily basis, and claim to reduce or prevent hair loss. The most common products available include Rogaine and Nanogen Nanogaine.

Rogaine contains the active ingredient Minoxidil, and is available as either a foam or lotion. Rogaine is applied directly to the scalp. Exactly how Rogaine works is not entirely understood. It claims to dilate blood vessels in the scalp, possibly improving hair follicle function and in turn, stimulating the growth of hair. Reviews of the Rogaine hair loss product are mixed.

Nanogaine is a topical solution that is applied daily. Whilst Rogaine is soluble in alcohol, Nanogaine is soluble in water, making it arguably less damaging to the scalp. As with many hair loss products, reviews are mixed. It appears that the product can offer benefits, but not necessarily to all hair loss sufferers.

For further information regarding hair loss remedies or the MHT^® technique, please see our hair loss treatments section, or for information about specific hair loss products, click on the various links above. Feel free to speak with our existing clients in our hair loss forum, or you can contact us directly for free and impartial hair loss advice.

During your search, you will have inevitably come across a huge range of hair transplant clinics, each fundamentally offering the same service, although the expertise offered from one clinic to another can vary enormously. If the idea of hair transplant surgery sparked some interest, you may have researched further, and learnt a little about the various techniques used to transplant hair from a donor site to the scalp.

Most recipients of a hair transplant procedure will experience scarring to varying extents. Whilst techniques have undoubtedly become more sophisticated in recent years, a significant hair transplant scar is still a possibility. It is important to note however, that despite the potential for scarring, this option is favoured by many thousands of people annually, and in many cases, surgery may be the most appropriate choice.

There are however, non surgical hair replacement options available that may be more suitable if you are concerned about scars. In brief, these options include the following:

• Hair systems
• Temporary concealers like DermMatch and Toppik
• The laser comb
• Topical lotions such as Rogaine
• Pills including Propecia and Procerin
• Our own MHT^® Micro Hair Technique

The Micro Hair Technique is described below. For information regarding other products, please follow the various links above to dedicated information pages on our website.

The Micro Hair Technique

MHT^® was born from the combination of several existing techniques, tailored and perfected to create the worlds most innovative hair loss solution. Suiting the needs of thousands of hair loss sufferers worldwide, MHT^® is quite literally changing lives.

The treatment involves the sophisticated application of scalp pigmentation techniques, to replicate individual hair follicles. The end result is the perfect representation of natural hair. You believe you have hair, and so does everyone else. The results achievable are truly remarkable.

For more information please see our Gallery, our YouTube video library, and feel free to speak with our existing clients and hair loss sufferers in our hair loss forum. If you would like to ask any questions directly, please contact us.

In reality, the ‘best hair loss treatment’ depends entirely on the individual, their lifestyle, their tolerances, the extent of their hair loss, and of course, their budget.

For example, it could be argued that hair transplant surgery would be too drastic a measure for some people, if they happen to suffer with relatively mild hair loss. On the same token, for an individual who does not want their lifestyle to be compromised, hair systems may be equally inappropriate.

To make an informed decision as to what would be the best hair loss treatment for you, lets first look at your options. All hair loss treatments can be split into three basic categories – temporary, permanent and supplemental.

Temporary hair loss treatments

This category includes all ‘cover-up’ solutions. By their very nature, they do not provide a hair loss cure, but they do enable the user to disguise their thinning hair. These include hair systems, and temporary concealers such as Toppik, Nanogen Nanofibres and DermMatch.

Temporary solutions do provide relief for many hair loss sufferers. Unfortunately, they are also subject to a degree of social stigma, and can leave the user feeling more conscious of their hair loss, the exact opposite of what they are trying to achieve. Many of our clients have tried temporary cover-ups, and have remained dissatisfied with their hair loss.

Permanent hair loss treatments

All treatments that can be described as ‘permanent’, reside here. The most common solution is hair transplant surgery, however many clients complain of excessive scarring, and insufficient coverage of their balding areas. Whether or not this option is suitable in your case, depends on the extent of your hair loss, the availability of donor hair and your tolerance for scarring. Furthermore, your budget must also be a serious consideration, as a hair transplant is generally the more expensive option.

The MHT^® Micro Hair Technique is also a permanent solution. Whilst it would be easy for us to claim that MHT^® is the best hair loss treatment, again, this depends entirely on your circumstances. We believe passionately in our technique, as it provides a safe, permanent solution for hair loss, with none of the drawbacks associated with surgery, however there are also drawbacks, principly the fact that you are required to wear your hair in a short, cropped style. That said, the style created is ultra-modern, is sported by many celebrities, and is accepted in all walks of life.

Supplemental hair loss treatments

There are drugs available on the market that claim to slow, stop, or even reverse hair loss. Despite a lack of evidence to support their claims, and their well-documented side effects, the promise of a pill to solve hair loss is enticing enough to encourage millions of men worldwide to try them. Such pills include Propecia and Procerin.

In addition, topical lotions such as Rogaine also promise to reduce hair loss. Although it is generally accepted that the benefits of such lotions are minor, or even non-existent in some cases, many of our clients have tried using them. There are also shampoos available, such as Revivogen and Nanogen Nanoguard.

Finally, there are several vitamins for hair loss sufferers, which claim to slow the onset of hair loss. Whilst their effectiveness is likely to be minimal, it is unlikely that they will do much harm, provided they are taken in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.

Other hair loss treatments

In addition to the above, there are alternatives available, which don’t really fit into the categories above. Some claim to be permanent, but their effectiveness has been called into question and cannot therefore, be classed alongside ‘guaranteed’ treatments such as hair transplant procedures and MHT^®. Others are at the experimental stage, and are not yet widely available. These include laser therapy, stem cell hair loss treatments and hair cloning.

It is normal to shed some hair each day as part of this cycle. However, some people may experience excessive (more than normal) hair loss, therefore it is understandable that many people wish to understand the various hair loss causes, and why specifically, it is affecting them in particular.

What causes excessive hair loss?

There are a number of excessive hair loss causes, however the most common cause unfortunately, is genetics. Hair loss often skips generations, so it is not necessarily the fault of your immediate parents. For most men with a family history of hair loss, there is little that can be done to absolutely ‘cure’ the loss of your hair.

There are however, other hair loss causes that may be applicable, depending on your circumstances:

About 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.

Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.

Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they’ve had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again.

Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, high blood pressure or heart problems, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills and antidepressants.

Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.

Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated.

Can certain hairstyles or treatments cause hair loss?

Yes. Men or women sporting tight hairstyles that pull on your hair, can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. If the pulling is stopped before scarring of the scalp develops, your hair will grow back normally. However, scarring can cause permanent hair loss. Hot oil hair treatments or chemicals used in permanents (also called “perms”) may cause inflammation (swelling) of the hair follicle, which can result in scarring and hair loss.

What is common baldness?

“Common baldness” is usually a reference to male pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia. Male-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Men who have this type of hair loss usually have inherited the trait. Men who start losing their hair at an early age tend to develop more extensive baldness. In male pattern baldness, hair loss typically results in a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head.

Women may develop female pattern baldness. In this form of hair loss, the hair can become thin over the entire scalp.

Can my doctor do something to stop hair loss?

Perhaps. Your doctor will probably ask you some questions about your diet, any medicines you’re taking, whether you’ve had a recent illness and how you take care of your hair. If you’re a woman, your doctor may ask questions about your menstrual cycle, pregnancies and menopause. Your doctor may want to do a physical exam to look for other causes of hair loss. Finally, blood tests or a biopsy (taking a small sample of cells to examine under a microscope) of your scalp may be needed.

Is there any treatment for hair loss?

Depending on which of the above hair loss causes is affecting you, treatments may be available. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Recognising and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss.

Medicines may also help slow or prevent the development of male pattern baldness. One medicine called Minoxidil (branded as Rogaine), is available without a prescription. It is applied to the scalp, and both men and women can use it. Another medicine, Finasteride (branded as Propecia), is available with a prescription. It comes in pills and is only for men. It may take up to 6 months before you can tell if one of these medicines is working. Procerin is another medication available.

Drugs such as Rogaine, Propecia or Procerin may help to reduce hair loss, however their effectiveness is an issue of much debate. What is certain however, is that such drugs do not work for everyone.

What about MHT^®?

MHT^®, or Micro Hair Technique, offered by HIS Hair Clinics is not a cure for hair loss, and will not therefore, enable your hair to grow back. It does, however, provide a very effective camouflage for hair loss, that unlike wigs or temporary concealers, offers a permanent solution for hair loss sufferers.

For more information, see our before and after photos, contact our existing clients in our hair loss forum, or contact us directly to ask any questions you may have.