So called hair restoration products can be found all over the internet and in most health stores.  Some of them do a little good but a lot of them are basically worthless.  There is a very interesting correlation between men's prostrate medications and effective hair restoration products.  This makes sense and male pattern baldness is caused by an accumulation of DHT which is a testosterone derivative hormone and prostrate health is also closely related to testosterone.

One of the few products that has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of hair loss is a drug that was originally developed to treat enlarged prostrates in men.  But during the clinical trials an interesting thing happened.  Many of the men who were exhibiting signs of male pattern baldness, that is hair loss in patches on the scalp, showed an improvement in hair growth during the trials.  The drug is finasteride which is marketed under the brand name Propecia or Proscar.  This drug is only available by prescription due to the possibilities of side effects including birth defects.

The other more common hair loss medication approved by the FDA is minoxidil.  This drug was originally derived to combat high blood pressure but it was soon found that if could slow hair loss and even promote hair growth if applied in a topical solution to the areas of the scalp experiencing hair loss.  This drug is normally known as Rogaine and can be purchased over the counter or by prescription depending on the strength of the mixture.

Both of these products have been shown to have a positive effect on hair loss and hair restoration in men who suffer from male pattern baldness.  Finasteride, marketed as Propecia or Proscar, show a higher level of success as a hair restoration product in clinical tests.  It does have draw backs though.

Finasteride is only available by prescription in the US due to possible side effects.  It is delivered orally by swallowing a tablet.  Pre-menstrual women are not candidates for this drug because of the possibility of birth defects.  Even just handling the drug may possibly have a detrimental affect on the fetus.  As hair restoration products go this is effective but must be used with care.

Minoxidil on the other hand has not been shown to be as effective at stopping hair loss and regrowing hair but it is much safer.  This drug, an example of which is above, is sold under the name Rogaine.  It can be purchased over the counter, which means with out the need of a prescription from a doctor, in a solution containing 1% to 2% of the effective ingredient.

Stronger solutions, up to 5%, can be prescribed by a physician.  There is a correlation between the strength of the solution and the effectiveness as a hair loss treatment.  The higher the dose the better but it may be well worth your while to try the over the counter strength first and see what results you get.

A natural extract that is receiving a lot of attention as a hair restoration product to be used to slow down and stop hair loss and help in the regrowth of hair is saw palmetto.  This extract from the fruit of the serenoa has been used in Europe for years to treat enlarged prostrate and other prostrate problems.  It has recently seen extensive use in the US and Europe to assist in the treatment of hair loss and to help with hair regrowth.

So again we see the tie in between the prostrate and hair loss treatments in men.  This is probably too strong a coincidence and should require further study.

There are hair growth products available that really do help when a person suffers from the embarrassment of balding or thinning hair.  If a product says it is 100% to regrow all your hair back in a week then it is probably a scam.  The products above take time to reverse the hair loss and start the process of hair growth again.

The best advice I have for you is to learn all you can about treating your hair loss.  You may find you would be more happy with other forms of hair restoration than just shampoo's and creams.  Check out all the information you can in order to make a good decision for yourself.