When you consult family, friends, associates and the web about hair loss treatments, you will find a host of "do-it-yourself" hair loss products such as creams, ointments, lotions, nutrition supplements, scalp stimulants and other "miracle cures", all promising to stop hair loss and regrow hair.

Among all the options for nonsurgical treatment of androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), you will find only two that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and are recommended by physician hair restoration specialists. Hair restoration products not approved by the FDA are often a waste of money and can be harmful.

In some men, hair loss may be slowed or even new hair growth stimulated by medical hair loss treatments. The two such treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are finasteride (PropeciaŽ) and minoxidil (RogaineŽ).

Minoxidil is topically applied and is available without a prescription. Finasteride is a prescribed drug taken orally in pill form. The medical treatments may be used separately or in combination, as recommended by the physician hair restoration specialist.

Medical treatment may retard the rate of hair loss and preserve an acceptable appearance until the physician determines hair transplantation can be undertaken. Medical treatment is sometimes continued as a complement to hair transplantation. It is likely that, once started, hair transplantation procedures will have to be continued for some years to keep pace with progressive hair loss.

Source: http://www.ishrs.org/articles/cosmetic-strategies.htm

Also See:
Using Minoxidil as a Hair Loss Treatment
Clinical Studies regarding Minoxidil