Hair Growth Medications
Aesthetic Scalp offers physician-guided hair growth medication treatments that slow hair loss, stimulate regrowth, and maintain lasting results — conveniently located in downtown Chicago.
*Actual Patient
About Hair Growth Medications
Hair loss is a widespread concern across many ages and demographics, and there are a number of solutions that could help slow, stop, or even reverse the process if the signs are caught early. Typically, oral and topical medication can be used to combat early-stage hair loss. At Aesthetic Scalp in Chicago, our board-certified surgeons are pleased to offer patients access to beneficial medical solutions.
During your confidential appointment with Dr. Anil Shah or Dr. Sameea Chughtai, they will assess the condition of your scalp, determine your degree of hair loss, learn about the cause of your thinning or balding, and work with you to determine which hair growth medication could work best for you. Hair loss medication can also be paired with other services to help encourage follicle strengthening and produce comprehensive results.
Am I a candidate for hair growth medications?
To learn whether you’re a good candidate for hair growth medication, you’ll first need to attend a consultation with one of our board-certified doctors. Selecting the right solution is extremely important since some medications are better suited to people of certain genders, hair types, and reasons for hair loss. At your appointment, we’ll ask about your medical past and family history, as well as what other medications you may be taking, to determine which product is best for you. In many cases, the best candidates for hair growth medications are those who are in the earlier stages of hair loss.
HAIR GROWTH medications we offer
At Aesthetic Scalp, we offer a range of hair-growth medications that can be taken orally or applied to the scalp topically. The medication that works best for you depends on your gender, hair type, medical history, and other factors. Some of the solutions we offer include:
- Minoxidil is a topical medication that stimulates hair growth for male pattern baldness. It is not used to treat a receding hairline or balding on the front of the scalp for men.
- Finasteride is an oral medication that addresses hair loss in men. The drug has shown to be ineffective for women, so only men are prescribed this medication.
- Dutasteride is can treat enlarged prostates and has an off-label use as a medication to prevent hair loss. Like finasteride, this oral drug is not prescribed to women as it is ineffective for them.
- Viviscal Professional is a commonly suggested hair growth supplement that is readily available from dermatologists and other practices. The supplement will not grow new hair, but it can strengthen existing hair follicles and promote stronger, healthier hair.
- Customized formulas may also be offered by our doctors and created at compounding pharmacies to be applied topically to the scalp and address your unique case of hair loss. These include formula 82F, formula 82S, and formula 82M.
- Minoxidil is a topical medication that stimulates hair growth for male pattern baldness. It is not used to treat a receding hairline or balding on the front of the scalp for men.
- Finasteride is an oral medication that addresses hair loss in men. The drug has shown to be ineffective for women, so only men are prescribed this medication.
- Dutasteride is can treat enlarged prostates and has an off-label use as a medication to prevent hair loss. Like finasteride, this oral drug is not prescribed to women as it is ineffective for them.
- Viviscal Professional is a commonly suggested hair growth supplement that is readily available from dermatologists and other practices. The supplement will not grow new hair, but it can strengthen existing hair follicles and promote stronger, healthier hair.
- Customized formulas may also be offered by our doctors and created at compounding pharmacies to be applied topically to the scalp and address your unique case of hair loss. These include formula 82F, formula 82S, and formula 82M.
Hair Growth Medications Before & After Results
What to Expect
When you are prescribed a hair growth medication, it’s important to take or use the product as directed by our board-certified doctors. Drs. Shah and Chughtai will work closely with you over the coming months to ensure that the medication works as it should. We may adjust your dosage as needed, depending on how the medications work. In many cases, we can offer hair growth drugs alongside other services, including PRP therapy, FUE (follicular unit extraction), and others. If you notice any unusual or worrying side effects, we encourage you to get in touch with our Chicago office as soon as you can.
Why Choose Aesthetic Scalp
Finding the right hair growth medication requires more than a quick online search or a one-size-fits-all prescription; you need a physician who understands the full picture of your hair loss. At Aesthetic Scalp in Chicago, Dr. Anil Shah brings nearly two decades of experience as a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, giving him a precise clinical eye for diagnosing the extent and pattern of hair loss and selecting the most targeted pharmaceutical approach. His academic background, including over 50 published scientific articles and a role as a clinical instructor at the University of Chicago, ensures that every recommendation is grounded in the latest evidence-based research.
Dr. Sameea Chughtai’s expertise in regenerative medicine, hormone therapy, and female hair loss makes her uniquely equipped to navigate the complex causes of thinning — particularly for women, whose hair loss is often rooted in hormonal fluctuations, nutritional deficiencies, or systemic conditions that require a holistic approach. Having personally experienced hair loss, Dr. Chughtai brings both medical precision and genuine empathy to every consultation.
Together, Drs. Shah and Chughtai take the time to understand your individual biology, lifestyle, and goals before recommending any medication. This ensures that what you’re prescribed is truly the right fit for you.
Benefits of Hair Growth Medications
- Non-invasive with no surgery or downtime required
- Can slow, stop, or sometimes partially reverse hair loss
- Physician-tailored to your specific hair type, gender, and cause of loss
- Customized compounding formulas available for unique or complex cases
- Ongoing monitoring and dosage adjustments by board-certified doctors
- Accessible and convenient for patients in the early stages of hair loss
How Much Do Hair Growth Medications Cost?
The cost of hair growth medications at Aesthetic Scalp varies depending on the specific products prescribed and the frequency of follow-up care involved in your treatment plan. During your consultation, Dr. Shah or Dr. Chughtai will outline the total price clearly so you can make an informed decision.
Easy and accessible restorative options
If you’ve noticed thinning hair or bald spots throughout your scalp but aren’t ready to have hair restoration surgery (such as FUE), then oral or topical medications could provide some relief. Aesthetic Scalp in Chicago is proud to offer patients access to a range of advanced drugs that can slow, stop, or sometimes even reverse hair loss and strengthen hair follicles in the process.
Call our office and schedule your appointment with Drs. Shah or Chughtai to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hair growth medications FDA-approved?
Some hair growth medications, such as Minoxidil and Finasteride, have received FDA approval for the treatment of specific types of hair loss in certain populations. Others, like Dutasteride, are used off-label for hair loss, meaning they were approved for a different condition but are prescribed by physicians based on clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness.
How do I know if my hair growth medication is working?
Early signs of effectiveness often include a reduction in daily hair shedding, followed gradually by improvements in density and thickness over several months of consistent use. Periodic photographic comparisons and scalp assessments with your physician are the most reliable way to objectively track progress.
Are there any lifestyle factors that can reduce the effectiveness of hair growth medications?
Chronic stress, poor nutrition, smoking, and hormonal imbalances can all undermine the effectiveness of hair growth medications by perpetuating the underlying conditions that drive hair loss. Supporting your treatment with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management practices can improve outcomes and help the medications work as intended.
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Related Procedures
To complement hair growth medications, Aesthetic Scalp provides several nonsurgical hair restoration options for stronger, thicker results. PRP Therapy for Hair Loss uses your body’s own plasma to naturally stimulate follicle activity, Exosome Therapy promotes cellular regeneration and healing, and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) improves scalp circulation to strengthen new growth. Together, these therapies create a comprehensive approach to maintaining healthy hair.
Videos
Watch Dr. Anil Shah and Dr. Sameea Chughtai discusses the benefits of combining hair growth medications with regenerative treatments for lasting results.