Baldness and hair loss can be caused by several factors. With most people, it is hereditary. Since the recede of the hairline is mainly caused by male hormones affecting the growth of hair at the follicles, there are several treatments to go for.
Some believe that thinning hair can be saved while lost hair would really require surgery. Whether you’re afraid of the medical procedure or you can’t afford it, there are alternatives to getting a follicular unit hair transplant. Hair loss medication has grown quite popular as more and more are coming out that can stop and even revert hair loss. Here are three tried and true solutions you may want to consider:
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (Rogaine) was previously prescribed for heart problems. In the late 70’s to the early 80’s, it was observed that continued use made your hair grow. Further investigations confirmed that hair loss was hindered in most test subjects.
The treatment had demonstrated successfully that it could slow down the loss of hair and in some cases, even restore hair growth in the back areas. It was determined, however, that the crown or frontal hairline area could not be slowed or reverted.
Minoxidil should be applied topically to the scalp twice a day (in the morning and in the evening) regularly. Otherwise, the effects stop. Hair loss will continue and the hair that was revived will be lost.
Although it first came out as a prescription drug, you can now buy it as Minoxidil or Rogaine as an over-the-counter drug in strengths of 2% and 5%.
Finasteride
Like the previously mentioned medication, Finasteride (Propecia) was not intended for hair loss. Used initially to remedy enlarged prostate glands, it was ascertained that it could impede baldness and even cause hair to grow back.
Apparently, the drug hinders the production of dyhydrotestosterone or DHT, which is the main cause of baldness. This drug, however, should never be used on women or children.
Finasteride should be taken once a day.
Currently the only hair loss medication approved by the Food and Drug Authority, Minoxidil (in 1988) and Finasteride (ten years later) can be bought without a prescription.
Laser Hair Therapy
Aside from medication, you can also go for Laser Hair Therapy or LHT to treat scalp conditions such as hair loss, hair thinning and baldness. LHT uses a low level cool laser to successfully remedy and suppress hair loss.
This therapy makes use of the same technology as phototherapy. The laser light incites cell metabolism. This hastens the repair of damaged cells. The light energy from multiple rotating laser positions enhances the flow of blood to the scalp.
LHT is an innovation that has recently swept the medical world by storm. It has received high praise from physicians as a grand step in man’s goals towards preventing hair loss.
Non Surgical Hair Loss Treatment
Female Pattern Baldness
You might not be aware about it but 1 out of 4 American women have female hair loss. Although not as prominent as they are in men, women who have Female Pattern Baldness or FBP experience the same thing men do in terms of hair getting thinner until no hair eventually grows from the scalp.
FBP in women can be caused by:
- Heredity
- High levels of male sex hormones known as androgens
- Age
- Hormones gone awry because of menopause, birth control pills or even pregnancy
- Iron deficiency
- Exposure to toxins (smoking, chemotherapy, certain medicinal compounds)
Some say women are luckier than men when it comes to hair loss. Women do not generally experience total hair loss on all parts of their head as the frontal hairline is usually still intact. Sometimes, not all parts of the scalp experience thinning and instead grow thicker. This just leads to hair that is less dense but with no signs of hair loss.
However, women are unluckier than men when it comes to hair loss. Men do not have to deal with the societal consequences of hair that is not attractively dense and lush. Hair loss in men is usually pretty obvious and occurs early on with telltale signs in the shape of their crowns. Women would normally detect it in their late 20’s to early 40’s.
Stress that causes hair loss and thinning is not FBP. Known as telogen effluvium, it is the body’s way of diverting energy during the resting phase. Hair lost in sleep is easily replaced by new hair and less stress.
Although women do not normally experience total hair loss, it can happen. This would most likely be caused by other factors. Since baldness is caused by the sebaceous glands producing more male hormones that lead to hair thinning and loss, it is advisable for women to have their selves checked in cases of extreme hair loss.
Treatment for baldness or receding hair is different for men and women. Finasteride (Propecia) is good for men but women and children would find this medication too strong. Minoxidil (Rogaine) can be practical for both men and women but with baldness being rarer in women and with hair loss likely to become more of a symptom rather than the actual disease in women, proper examinations and diagnoses should be made before getting treated.
Choosing the Right Hair Loss Treatment
A strand of hair normally has a life span of 2 to 6 years. It grows approximately one centimeter every month during its growing phase. The shaft stays on during the resting phase. 2 to 3 months later, it naturally falls out and a new one grows in its place.
On average, we lose 50 to 100 locks of hair every day. Losing more than that may be caused by several factors. Temporary hair loss may occur after having a traumatic illness or major surgery. Hormonal imbalances in the thyroid gland may also trigger hair loss. Most women experience excessive hair loss after giving birth. Some drugs such as birth control pills, antidepressants, anticoagulants, and medicines for chemotherapy can cause hair loss. Certain fungal and bacterial infections cause hair loss and most usually affect children. There are also some diseases that chart hair loss as one of the symptoms such as lupus and diabetes. And then of course, there’s common baldness which is primarily genetic and caused by the excessive secretion of male hormones which upon reaching the scalp can weaken and accordingly prevent hair growth.
There are several treatments available to treat hair loss:
- Follicular Unit Transplant entails grafting good follicles from the back and relocating them to the thinning or balding area in the front or near the hairline. Albeit the most expensive, getting a hair transplant is currently the most effective and most natural-looking treatment for male pattern baldness.
- Low Laser Light Therapy is slightly cheaper than a hair transplant but it is recommended for earlier stages of baldness where the follicles are still repairable. LLLT emits “cold” lasers which help the cells on the scalp to repair and regenerate thus allowing hair to regrow.
- Hair applicators like Rogaine can prevent hair loss and, in some cases, regrow hair. It is an over-the-counter topical solution that can
- The only orally-taken medicine that has been approved by the FDA is Propecia but it is not recommended for women because it’s also used as a treatment for the prostate gland.
First and foremost, do not try out any of these treatments until you have consulted a hair specialist. A doctor could give the assessment that’s best for you. Keep in mind that most of the best treatments are costly so you must get ready for that. Remember that different people get different results so your first try might not be that much of a success. If it is not hazardous to your health and you opt not to treat the hair loss, prepare yourself for the societal and personal impacts that may have. And like with all problems in life, it’s best to encourage the support of friends and family during this major milestone in your life.