| We know you're too busy to wade through long, technical explanations. So, for the next step in choosing the hair loss product you want, here are brief answers to the questions you're most likely to have about hair loss and hair loss products:
What Causes Hair Loss?
As we saw on the Hair Loss Information page, there can be a variety of causes of temporary and permanent hair loss. Temporary hair loss is caused by conditions such as stress, disease and mistreatment of the hair. This sort of hair loss can normally be reversed by reducing the stress, curing the disease or stopping the mistreatment. Permanent hair loss in men is thought to be related to the overproduction of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
How Do Products Work to Stop or Reverse Hair Loss?
The main herbal and non-herbal products generally work by reducing the production of DHT, by interfering with DHT's ability to act negatively on the process of hair growth, by reducing scalp inflammation that can interfere with hair growth, and by stimulating hair growth production.
Are Non-Herbal Hair Loss Products Safe?
Non-herbal hair loss products frequently produce side effects. Some side effects are more common than others (headaches are among the more commonly reported side effects, while sexual problems are reported, but less often). See the Hair Loss Information page for more details of reported side effects from non-herbal products. These side effects generally disappear when a person stops using the product. However, for a hair loss product to work, the person needs to keep taking it long enough to start producing an effect. Commonly, the product has to be taken for as long as the person wants the effect to last. In other words, a person taking a non-herbal hair loss product has to balance whatever improvement, if any, there may be in hair growth with whatever side effects, if any, are experienced.
Are Herbal Hair Loss Supplements Safe?
Yes, because the all-natural ingredients of the most highly ranked supplements don't produce side effects when taken as directed. The only exception is that some people have reported some stomach discomfort when taking herbal supplements without food. No actual damage has been shown to be connected with this experience.
Do Herbal Hair Loss Supplements Work Permanently?
Some younger men have reported no more hair loss, even after they stopped taking herbal supplements. Nearly all older men found that hair loss started again within a few months of stopping the supplements. The best way to be as certain as possible that any improvement from the supplement will continue is to keep taking it. That's why it's so important that highly ranked herbal supplements contain only natural ingredients that produce no damaging side effects when taken properly.
Are There Times When I shouldn't Take Hair Loss Products?
Yes. If you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have certain medical conditions or take certain medications, you should avoid taking both herbal and non-herbal hair loss products. Even herbal products, that normally avoid side effects, are not indicated in some cases. For more information on this subject, see the Hair Loss Information page. The safest thing is to check with a physician to see if any medical conditions or medications you may have would mean avoiding the ingredients of a given product.
Do Herbal Hair Loss Supplements Require a Prescription?
No. The herbal hair loss products that we examine on this site are classified as nutritional supplements, and do not require prescriptions.
If I'm in a Hurry, Can I Take More Than the Recommended Amount of My Supplement?
Absolutely not. The amounts of the ingredients in these supplements have been chosen to be safe. Some ingredients do produce side effects when taken in excess amounts. There is no evidence that taking larger doses will make the products work any better.
Should Women Take Hair Loss Supplements?
No. This is a case where the difference in female and male body chemistry matters. Existing hair loss supplements are intended to affect DHT, which is implicated in male-pattern baldness, but not in female-pattern baldness. Women have little DHT in their bodies to begin with, and don't need to have this amount reduced. Women should only take hair loss products designed specifically for them, such as Rogaine for women.
Can I Take Herbal Hair Loss Supplements at the Same Time as Rogaine or Propecia?
The best thing to do is to check with your physician. Rogaine and Propecia have not been shown to reduce the effectiveness of herbal supplements. Some users have taken supplements along with Propecia and Rogaine, and have reported increased effectiveness as a result.
Are Herbal Hair Loss Supplements Guaranteed to Work?
Most of the leading herbal hair loss supplements offer money back guarantees.
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