Are we getting close to a cure for hair loss?

Where is the cure for male pattern baldness? 

I was doing some reading on the topic of hair loss the other day, and apparently over 60% of men suffer from some stage of baldness by the time they reach the age of 40.

Now, I knew male pattern baldness was a common thing, but even I was surprised how high that stat was. It puts further emphasis on finding a cure for baldness.

So, even though there isn't a cure for alopecia, are we any closer to finding one? In this multi-billion dollar industry, let's take a look through some of the most potent treatments available for balding and thinning hair.

The only two drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hair loss are minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia).

Minoxidil

A medicine that was originally used to treat high blood pressure, Minoxidil is now a mainstream brand that is listed under the more familiar name, Regaine (or Rogaine in the US). This topical formula has showed real signs of generating new hair growth in men and women suffering from thinning hair across the scalp. And although this was not effective for me personally, Minoxidil is a popular drug that can work on a small scale. The risks side-effects are high, but luckily they aren't too severe.

Finasteride

Finasteride, better known as Propecia, is an prescription oral pill that blocks DHT in men. This drug can prevent baldness occurring in men, providing they take the treatment during early stages of baldness, but the risks or side-effects are high - and what's more, the potential side-effects are pretty nasty. Erectile dysfunction, sever skin rash, and mental complications are just a few of the issues that come with Finasteride.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is used to treat prostatic enlargement. While the FDA has not approved the drug to treat hair loss, physicians sometimes prescribe Dutasteride (branded as Avodart) off-label for male pattern baldness. Dutasteride works similarly to finasteride, but it may be more effective. Like finasteride, dutasteride inhibits the activity of type II 5-alpha reductase. However, dutasteride additionally inhibits type I of the enzyme. Blocking both types of the enzyme lowers DHT even more and reduces the risk of damage to hair follicles.

HR23+

Natural vitamins are becoming the most popular choice of hair loss treatment. Why? Because they work!  HR23+ is the latest in a long line of hair health supplements that seem to be taking the market by storm.  Multi-vitamin supplements cater for many of who have vitamin/nutritional deficiencies.  Supplements like HR23+ contain key hair beneficiary ingredients that can prevent the pattern of hair fall and promote the rate of hair growth.