Since the 1990s, many so-called “miraculous” treatments have been marketed to combat hair loss. And one of them proved more conclusive than the others.
In twenty-five years, baldness has gone from a minority problem to a “societal phenomenon”, according to the IFOP. For good reason, “three out of four French people without baldness report losing their hair”, a proportion that has increased sharply since the 1990s. This era also marks the beginning of studies and analyzes on treatments against androgenetic alopecia. (hair loss). Even if the majority of men are affected by this problem, women are also affected up to 20%.
On a daily basis, baldness can become a real source of concern, stress or anxiety. Some people use various stratagems to hide it: densifying powders, toupees or even scalp tattoos. Scientists have also looked into the issue by developing several drugs intended to combat hair loss. The diagnosis can, however, vary depending on the causes of alopecia, whether genetic or hormonal, due to physical or mental shock.
In the myriad of pseudo-miraculous solutions that have appeared in recent years, there are still some treatments that work better than others. A study recently published in the journal JAMA Dermatology reports a significant reduction in baldness in the case of a very specific treatment. The analysis reveals that taking 0.5 milligrams per day of “dudasteride” orally is more likely to reduce hair loss in men, compared to finasteride or minoxidil. Dudasteride, also called Avodart, is generally used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its potential effectiveness on androgenetic alopecia has been studied by scientists.
Because hair loss is often caused by genetic and hormonal factors, resulting in the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This DHT contributes to the reduction of hair follicles and leads to a lack of hair density. Thanks to Avodart, the production of the metabolite is inhibited, which could potentially slow the progression of alopecia.
Be careful though, this medication is not without dangers and has multiple side effects. : decreased libido, impotence, ejaculation disorders (including reduced semen volume), dizziness, increased breast volume (gynecomastia). Generally speaking, hair loss medications often have serious adverse health effects.
In 2019, European health authorities had to reassess the risks of Propecia, a medicine whose active substances, finasteride, is believed to promote hair growth. Its side effects, similar to those of dudasteride, rendered one of its users impotent, plunging him into a chronic apathetic state. In total, 70 plaint files had been filed against the laboratory which markets it.