What Guys Are Saying About Their Health

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Men say thinning hair or hair loss is as inevitable as income tax or death. Scientific evidence, however, shows they're wrong: Hair loss can be managed through prescription and natural remedies.

Action Rx:
Massaging certain plant oils into the scalp may encourage new hair growth. In 1999, dermatologists at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland tested a precise blend of thyme, lavender, rosemary, jojoba, grapeseed, and atlas cedarwood oils on 43 people suffering from patchy hair loss. After seven months, 19 re-grew as much as half of their hair; a few regenerated nearly all of their hair. The researchers say the plant oil treatment may also help reverse other types of balding, such as thinning and male pattern baldness.

The Handsome Hair Blend
Here's how to make the handsome hair blend: In a small jar, mix two drops each thyme and atlas cedarwood essential oils with three drops each lavender and rosemary oils. Add one-half teaspoon jojoba oil and four teaspoons grapeseed oil. Massage mixture into scalp for at least two minutes every night. To aid absorption, wrap head in a warm towel after applying the oils. If you have high blood pressure or any other chronic condition, check with your doctor first.

Shampoos
Thinning hair or hair loss may also be remedied through shampoos such as Rogaine (topical minoxidil), or Propecia, which is a small dose of the prostate drug, finasteride. A consultation with a physician will help determine which formula may be appropriate; both of these preparations must be used with care. The minoxidil in Rogaine is a blood pressure-lowering medication that can affect certain heart functions. What's more, finasteride interferes with the conversion of testosterone to another form of the hormone. (Look out: Other side effects of Propecia may include loss of libido and impotence.)

These treatments can be costly and require a long-term commitment, since they must be used continuously in order to encourage new hair growth. (When the shampoo is no longer applied, hair growth ceases.)

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