Hair loss is more common than you imagine. It happens to both males and females and the reasons for it differ from person to person. The first step towards hair loss treatment is to consult with a dermatologist or your healthcare practitioner.
Before diagnosing the reason for hair loss, the doctor may likely perform a physical exam and ask basic questions about your hair care routine, family and medical history, and diet. Additionally, you may be asked to go through some tests, including blood tests, hair pull tests, scalp biopsy, and light microscopy.
Depending on the prognosis, your healthcare practitioner will provide the best hair loss treatments for you. Different treatments are available for different types of hair loss. The treatment may be to reverse hair loss or slow it. This post looks at different treatment options for hair loss.
Medication as hair loss treatment
Sometimes, hair loss can be caused by an underlying medical condition. In this case, the first step is to treat the disease first before tackling the hair loss. If any of your medication is the cause of the hair loss, your doctor can recommend that you stop the medication for a few months.
Some medications can be recommended for hair loss treatment. Some of the popular options include the following.
Minoxidil: Also known as Rogaine, Minoxidil is an over-the-counter hair loss treatment product and it comes in shampoo, foam, and liquid forms. It should be applied to the scalp twice a day for men and once a day for women for effectiveness. Minoxidil is said to help re-grow hair loss or reduce the loss. You may need to use the product for six months to see full results but within a few months, you can know if it is working for you or not.
Some side effects that you may experience while using this treatment include unwanted facial hair growth and scalp irritation. You have to continue using this product indefinitely because when you stop its use, you will lose the hair that has re-grown.
Finasteride: Also known as Propecia, Finasteride is a prescription drug that comes as a pill. It is a product for men and with regular use, patients can experience new hair growth and slow hair loss. You may have to take the pills for a few months to know whether it is working for you or not. Some rare side effects of the drug are sexual dysfunction and reduction in sex drive. It has also been reported to increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Hair transplant surgery as hair loss treatment
Hair transplant is often the most recommended treatment option for permanent hair loss where the top of the hair is balding. The procedure is carried out by a cosmetic surgeon or a dermatologist. It involves removing hair from some parts of the head with hair and transplanting it to the bald spot.
Hair transplant surgery is an outpatient surgery but a sedative will be administered to you to reduce discomfort. Some risks that are associated with this option of hair loss treatment include swelling, infection, bruising, and bleeding. In some cases, a patient would require more than one procedure to achieve the effect that you want.
Laser therapy as hair loss treatment
The FDA has recently approved laser therapy as an alternative hair loss treatment for men and women with hereditary hair loss. The treatment uses a low-level laser device to stimulate growth in hair loss areas. Some studies have shown positive results and improved hair density when this treatment is used.
The above are the options of hair loss treatment that are available to individuals suffering from hair loss. While these treatments may work, lifestyle changes and diet can also affect the re-growth of your hair loss.