According to a recent article in the New York Times, there is a low-cost generic prescription treatment for pattern baldness in both men and women. You may have heard of Minoxidil, which goes by the brand name Rogaine. It is used as a topical treatment, that is, you apply it directly to the scalp. A lot of people find that cumbersome and stop treatment. Alternatively, you can take Minoxidil internally as a low-dose pill, which many people find easier and more effective.

Because it is now a low-cost generic medication, there is a lack of funding to prove that a low-dose oral pill is safe and effective in a large-scale clinical trial. But, since the medication is already FDA approved for other uses, it can legally be prescribed off-label, which some dermatologists are now doing. According to the article and one small study, many people are seeing dramatic results, and one doctor alone has prescribed the treatment to over 10,000 patients.

Pattern hair loss is one of the most visible and unwelcome signs of aging. Having a new low-cost effective treatment option could potentially benefit the millions affected by a form of alopecia.

By the age of 30, I was already starting to see signs of a bald spot growing on the back of my head. After initial treatment—and even after discontinuing treatment—my hair has almost fully re-grown. I stopped taking medication primarily because of the cost—even though I was seeing results. I would consider a low-cost option if I saw a return to hair loss. Should you talk to your doctor or dermatologist about an off-label prescription for a low-dose Minoxidil pill? If you are one of the millions experiencing hair loss, the time may be now.