FDA has till now approved only two hair loss products. It therefore becomes necessary to check the efficacy of hair loss products, which are not FDA-approved. Many dermatologists do prescribe these products but when people come to know that they are not FDA-approved there is slight hesitation on their part in using them. They believe it will further aggravate the situation.

At present, two FDA-approved products are minoxidil, better known as Rogaine, and finasteride, better known as Propecia. Originally developed for prostate conditions, low dose of Finasteride is used for treatment of hair loss in men. It prevents the conversion of 5-alpha-reductase into DHT, which is the main male hormone linked to hair loss. Finasteride is approved for men only as the drug can have serious effects on unborn male foetuses. Women should use it only under the supervision of a doctor. Minoxidil is the only anti-baldness drug approved for women.

There are several other drugs available in the market not approved by FDA, but you can use the approved ones with no prior prescription. Among the drugs that have shown good results but have not yet got approval from FDA is Dutasteride. Dutasteride (Avodart) is a new medication used in treating prostate conditions. It works like Finasteride but is known to reduce overall DHT production by over 93%. As is the case with Finasteride, women should consult their doctor before using Dutasteride. Dutasteride has already gone through two phases of tests and only one is left. The results of second phase show that Dutasteride performs better than Propecia. Small doses of Dutasteride inhibited both types of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme to a great deal. Sexual side effects have however been found in the studies.

Several studies have shown that certain non-drug products promote hair re-growth but have yet been approved by the FDA. This is partly because cost involved in conducting trials to prove effectiveness of these products as hair loss treatments is very high. Many doctors however recommend the use of certain non-drug treatments as an alternative or complement to drug therapy.

Next are some treatments that are based on natural ingredients. There are also products that have been put on test or have their effectiveness supported by independent feedback. Some of these products are:

Arcon Tisane: It is Europe's top selling natural supplement for hair loss. It comes as a capsule and sub-lingual spray containing saw palmetto and fenugreek. It stimulates a response similar to that of finasteride by inhibiting the production of DHT.

Calosol: It is for alopecia areata sufferers. It consists of a shampoo and an accelerator.

Fabao 101: It is available in different forms for different forms of hair loss.

Folligen copper peptide products: It helps create an environment that improves scalp health, reduces hair loss and stimulates hair re-growth. Studies conducted in over 30 leading universities and medical research institutes have proved the effectiveness of Folligen products.

Tricomin: It delivers copper to the base of the hair follicle. It has been clinically proven as an effective treatment for stopping hair loss and stimulating hair re-growth.

Revivogen: It is an all-natural hair loss treatment. It reduces DHT production, blocks androgen receptors and stimulates hair growth. It has no known side effects.