Hair loss is an unfortunate fact of life for many men. For some men, only extreme treatments, such as surgical hair transplants, will restore their hair, but many other men may see hair regrowth simply by using an over-the-counter or prescription medication. Products that regrow hair include topical ointments, injections and pills.
Minoxidil
Commonly sold as Rogaine, minoxidil is a topical medication. A man suffering from hair loss should apply minoxidil twice a day to the area the area of the scalp where he is losing hair, such as along the hairline or on a bald spot. According to Drugs.com, a man should use minoxidil only on the scalp.
New hair should start to grow on the affected areas within 12 weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even though hair returns, a man should not expect it to be as lush and thick as the hair he previously had. Although hair will continue to grow back as long as a man keeps applying minoxidil twice daily, it will fall out again once he stops using the product.
Corticosteroids
Injections of corticosteroids may help a man suffering from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. According to the Cleveland Clinic, corticosteroids reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. A man who has a mild case of alopecia areata may apply a topical corticosteroid to bald spots on his scalp. A more severe case may require a man to get injections of corticosteroids into his bald spots. A man may have to take corticosteroids in pill form if his hair loss is great. Unfortunately, corticosteroids are not guaranteed to regrow hair and may cause more harm than good in some cases.
Finasteride
Sometimes, a chemical called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, can cause a man to lose his hair, according to Merck. DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink so that less hair grows. Men can take finasteride, usually available in pill form as Propecia, which helps hair to regrow by preventing DHT from forming in the scalp.
Usually, a man will take finasteride for about three months before he notices any new hair growth or a reduction in the amount of hair lost. As with minoxidil, a man needs to continue to take finasteride in order for hair to continue to grow. If he stops taking the pill, he will lose any hair gained.
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