This Hair Loss Treatment for Men Works Better Than Others

Since the 1990s, many so-called “miraculous” treatments have been marketed ;s to combat hair loss. And one of them has proven to be more conclusive than the others.

In twenty-five years, baldness has gone from being a minority problem to a “societal phenomenon”, according to IFOP. The reason is that “three out of four French people who are not bald report losing their hair”, a proportion that has been rising sharply since the 1990s. This period also marked the beginning of studies and analyses on treatments for androgenetic alopecia (hair loss). Although men are more predominantly affected by this problem, women are also affected. height of 20%. 

In everyday life, baldness can become a real source of concern, stress or anxiety. Some people use various strategies to hide it: thickening powders, toupees or even scalp tattoos. Scientists have also looked into the issue by developing several drugs supposed to combat hair loss. The diagnosis may, however, vary depending on the causes of alopecia, whether genetic or hormonal, or due to physical or mental shock.

In the myriad of so-called miracle solutions that have appeared in recent years, there are still some treatments that work better than others. A study recently published in the journal JAMA Dermatology reports a significant reduction in baldness in the case of a very specific treatment. The analysis reveals that taking 0.5 milligrams per day of “dudastéride” oral is more likely to reduce hair loss in men than finasteride or minoxidil. “Dudastride”, also called “Avodart”, is commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its potential effectiveness in androgenetic alopecia has been éstudied by scientists.

Because hair loss is often caused by genetic and hormonal factors, resulting in the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This DHT participates in the reduction of hair follicles and leads to a lack of hair density. Thanks to Avodart inhibits the production of the metabolite, which could potentially slow the progression of alopecia.

Be careful, however, this medication is not without its dangers and has multiple side effects: decreased libido, impotence, ejaculation disorders (including a decrease in sperm volume), dizziness, breast enlargement (gynecomastia). In general, hair loss medications often have serious adverse health effects.

In 2019, European health authorities had to re-evaluate the risks of Propecia, a drug whose active substance, finasteride, is supposed to promote hair growth. Its side effects, similar to those of dudastéride, rendered one of its consumers impotent, plunging him into a chronic apathetic state. In total, 70 plaintiffs' files had been filed against the laboratory that markets it.