By: Plume Community Member
- What are hair restoration medications?
- Topical medications for hair restoration
- Oral medications for hair restoration
- Hair transplant surgery
- Pros and cons of hair restoration medications
- Tips for choosing the right type of hair restoration medication
- Possible side effects of hair restoration medications
- Cost of hair restoration medications
Hair restoration medications are a popular and effective way for trans men to combat male pattern baldness and restore their own natural hair. There are many different types of hair restoration medications available, and all of them have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. While some medications are designed to work quickly and provide fast results, others may take longer to work, but provide more long-term results.
Not everyone who uses testosterone as a gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes called HRT or hormone replacement therapy) experiences hair loss. However, many people do notice some changes to their hair. It’s important to discuss the various options with your Care Team in order to choose the best option for your specific situation. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most commonly used types of hair restoration options for trans men, including topical medications, oral medications, and hair transplant surgery.
What are hair restoration medications?
Hair restoration medications are prescription drugs designed to combat hair loss and help regrow hair on the head and face. These medications may be used as a standalone treatment for hair loss or be combined with other treatments, such as low-level lasers and topical creams.
Hair restoration medications are very safe, effective, and convenient ways to regain your hair without having to undergo surgery. There are many different types of hair restoration medications, and each has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to discuss the different options with your Care Team in order to choose the best option for your specific situation. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most commonly used types of hair restoration medications, including topical medications, oral medications, and hair transplant surgery.
Topical medications for hair restoration
Topical medications are applied directly to the scalp to promote hair growth. Types of topical medications include finasteride, minoxidil, and spironolactone. Finasteride is an oral medication that can be taken once a day, while minoxidil is applied twice a day, and spironolactone is taken once a day. All three of these medications are highly effective at combating hair loss, and many men who use them report significant hair regrowth. They also have few to no side effects.
However, topical medications may take up to six months to start working. They are also very effective in the long-term, with many people continuing to use them for years after regrowing their hair. Because topical medications are applied directly to the scalp, they are highly effective at treating hair loss in all areas of the scalp, including the temples, top of the head, and forehead.
Oral medications for hair restoration
Oral medications for hair restoration are taken by mouth and can be helpful for a wide range of hair loss conditions, including male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, alopecia, telogen effluvium, and androgenic alopecia. There are many different types of oral hair restoration medications, including finasteride, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, and dutasteride.
Finasteride is the only oral hair restoration medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of male pattern baldness. It comes in both pill and topical forms and is effective at slowing hair loss and regrowing hair in most people. It is also very safe, with very few side effects reported. However, it may take up to six months for finasteride to start working, and it is only effective for as long as it’s taken. This means that if you stop taking finasteride, you may notice hair loss resuming.
Dutasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that has been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of hair loss. It comes in pill form and must be taken daily, and it has many potential side effects, including decreased libido and sexual function. You can learn more about how finasteride and dutasteride work as gender-affirming medications in this article.
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that has been proven effective in slowing the progression of hair loss in people with male pattern baldness. It comes in pill form, and the dosage varies depending on your specific needs. Spironolactone has many potential side effects, including fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and muscle cramps. You can learn more about spironolactone in this article.
Cyproterone acetate is an androgen inhibitor that has been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of hair loss. It comes in pill form and must be taken daily, and it has many potential side effects, including weight gain, fatigue, and increased risk of blood clots.
Hair transplant surgery
Hair transplant surgery is a surgical procedure in which donor hair is removed from the back of the head and transplanted to the bald or thinning areas of the scalp. Hair transplant surgery is most commonly used for people with extensive hair loss, especially on the top of the head. It is a permanent solution with long-lasting results, but it does come with a high price tag—from $4,000 to $15,000.
Hair transplant surgery is best for people who have extensive hair loss, cannot use other types of hair restoration medications, and are willing to commit to regular follow-up appointments. It may take one to two years after the procedure for the transplanted hair to fully grow in. Hair transplant surgery is a highly effective way to regrow hair, but it is a very expensive and invasive option that is best suited for long-term hair loss solutions.
Pros and cons of hair restoration medications
All of the different types of hair restoration medications have their own specific benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to discuss the options with your Care Team in order to choose the best option for your specific situation. Topical medications are applied directly to the scalp to promote hair growth. Oral medications are taken by mouth and can be helpful for a wide range of hair loss conditions. Hair transplant surgery is a surgical procedure in which donor hair is removed from the back of the head and transplanted to the bald or thinning areas of the scalp.
Pros of topical and oral medications – These are very safe, effective, and convenient ways to regrow hair without having to undergo surgery. They are also easy to use, have few side effects, and are helpful for people of all genders.
Cons of topical and oral medications – These may take a long time to start working, and they are not as effective at treating hair loss in all areas of the scalp, such as the crown of the head.
Tips for choosing the right type of hair restoration medication
When deciding which type of hair restoration medication is right for you, it’s important to first understand how each medication works and what the potential benefits and drawbacks are. Then, discuss the options with your Care Team in order to choose the best option for your specific situation.
– Ask your Care Team about your hair loss condition and what types of hair restoration medications may be right for you. They will be able to help you select the best medication based on your specific situation.
– Be open and honest with your Care Team. They can’t help you if they don’t know what’s going on.
– Consider your lifestyle and budget when choosing a hair restoration medication. Some are more expensive and others are less expensive. Some are better for certain lifestyles, such as topical medications, which can be applied once a day.
– Take your medication as prescribed. It may take a while to start working, and it’s important that you don’t stop taking it too soon. Follow your Care Team’s instructions and take your medication regularly.
Possible side effects of hair restoration medications
All of the different types of hair restoration medications have their own unique side effects. It’s important to discuss the options with your Care Team in order to choose the best option for your specific situation.
Some side effects of topical medications include itching, irritation, and flaking of the scalp. Some side effects of oral medications include stomachaches, headaches, and fatigue. Some side effects of hair transplant surgery include swelling, infection, and bleeding. Depending on the type of medication you choose, some may come with more side effects than others. It’s important to be aware of the potential side effects.
Cost of hair restoration medications
The cost of hair restoration medications varies depending on the medication, brand, and dosage. You can estimate the costs of your medications using this list. This list includes the hair restoration medications prescribed by Plume and available through our delivery pharmacy option for Members. Got more hair loss questions? Reach out to your Care Team to schedule an appointment!
