Treatment for Thinning Hair, Hair Loss and Baldness
Thousands of people deal with hair loss every day but every person has their own way of coping. Whether it’s pounding it out in the gym to control at least one aspect of your physique, trying out the latest herbal remedy in search for a natural solution, turning to the scientifically proven treatments for a better guarantee, opting for hairpiece when your follicles have become dormant, or simply living with baldness. Some people have learned to live with hair loss, but some choose to do something about it and find ways to solve it.
If you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to take action right away by first finding out why it’s happening to you. Thinning hair and hair loss may be caused by illness, medication, infection, stress or poor nutrition but it is often temporary. If you can address the cause, your hair will usually grow back. For hair loss caused by male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss, there is no cure as such. However, these are the treatments available to halt the process and reverse the effects.
Treatment for Thinning Hair and Hair Loss
1. Minoxidil
This lotion which promotes hair growth in both men and women is rubbed into the scalp on the areas needed but works best on top and on the crown than on the frontal region (where the first signs of baldness usually occur). It is generally an over the counter topical treatment available in 2% and 5% concentrations, however, minoxidil is a dose dependent treatment so while a 5% solution may work for more subtle thinning, it may not be strong enough for more stubborn hair loss. Extra strength versions are available up to a 12.5% minoxidil cream and versions with anti-androgens are available, although the treatment then becomes a prescription medication requiring a doctor’s signature. The benefit of this is that anti-androgens work to combat the root cause of hair loss which further augments the effectiveness of the re-growth function of minoxidil. Side effects are minimal (less than 4% occurrence) but can include itchiness and dandruff.
2. Propecia
This is prescribed for men only. It’s an oral pill taken once a day which blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a bi-product of testosterone that causes hair loss in both men and women. It’s considered unsafe for women as it can cause abnormalities in the male foetus if a woman is pregnant. It requires a doctor’s prescription and side effects of Propecia are again extremely rare (less than 2%) and always disperse once the medication is stopped. Some men are not comfortable with the thought of a chance of experiencing such symptoms, even if they are only temporary, or the prospect of taking a pill every day but then again others take food supplements every day and most wouldn’t be too comfortable going bald.
It is worthy to note that these two drugs are best used in combination (at least for men) to combat all angles of hair loss and generate re-growth. The anti-androgens in some versions of minoxidil can supplement Propecia but hair growth boosters can also be beneficial for optimising the effectiveness of both treatments for men and women. It’s also important to be aware that these treatments are the only ones approved by the FDA to treat thinning hair and hair loss. Other hair loss products may prove somewhat beneficial, but will come nowhere near the levels of effectiveness of these approved treatments.
3. Hair Transplant Surgery
Contrary to popular belief, hair transplants aren’t for the bald. To be suitable for a hair transplant you need to still have actively growing hair that can be used as the donor site for the balding patches. Hair transplants can be good option for people with hair loss as a result of scarring but sometimes people with thinning hair are interested in the treatment. The result can be very natural with minimal scarring but it’s advised that you try the medically proven hair loss treatments first and then use them after the transplant to maintain hair growth and prevent further hair loss.
Treatment for Excessive Hair Loss and Baldness
1. Wigs/Hair systems
Cosmetically adding artificial or human hair may be a temporary solution for cancer treatment patients or a permanent solution for men and women who are completely bald. These days with a hair system you can choose the colour and texture that will suit you and have it fitted to look as natural as normal hair.
The golden rule when searching for a hair loss solution is that the earlier you treat it, the more chance you have of maintaining a full head of hair. Call 020 7730 6666 or send an email to book a free appointment with a hair loss specialist at the Belgravia Centre and decide what remedy is best for you. Or why not fill in the online diagnostic form and get expert advice and treatment from anywhere in the world. Who knows, maybe you can stop losing more hair or better yet, restore the hair that was once lost.
More Information:
Male Hair Loss
Female Hair Loss
Hair Growth Boosters
Interesting Articles:
Propecia vs. Procerin vs. Provillus
Hair Loss Treatments vs. Hair Transplant
Herbal Hair Loss Treatment Options
