In recent years, medicine has made enormous strides in treating hair loss for men. With the arrival of the inhibitors 5-a reductase, such as the propecia and the evolution of surgery for hair restoration, for many, is no longer inevitable, living with a significant loss of hair.

For the first time in history is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and replace lost hair through surgery with completely natural results. However, the vast majority of treatments for hair loss that are marketed today.

Minoxidil (Loniten) was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of male pattern baldness. For many years, minoxidill in pill form, has been widely used to treat high blood pressure. Like finasteride, the researchers found a very interesting side effect of the drug.

People taking the medication experienced hair growth in unexpected places and in their cheeks and the backs of their hands; some even grew hair on their forehead.

Some enterprising researchers had the idea that applying minoxidil topically, directly overhead, could help grow hair on bald spots. It did so in different patients depending on the extent of hair loss, but at the time was revolutionary.

While minoxidil has been clinically proven to slow the progression of hair loss and to boost growth in some cases, most experts see it as a relatively effective drug to combat hair loss. Minoxidil which has no hormonal effect on the process of hair loss is positive, favorable or temporary effect and usually is somewhat disappointing in the long-term.

With that said, for the American hair is still the drug recommended for those who have not responded favorably to finasteride and for those who want to add another product to their regime.