Hair Loss Treatment

Hair loss treatment can be simple if the cause of hair loss is accurately diagnosed. Many cases of hair loss get better if on their own over time. Others may respond slowly to treatment. However, any hair that grows back may be thinner than the hair you had originally.

A hereditary thinning of scalp hair, androgenic alopecia, occurs frequently in genetically susceptible men and women. It is androgen mediated and occurs in both men and women.

Hair loss treatment for men with androgenic alopecia involves physicians prescribing the drug finasteride (Propecia) to be taken by mouth or recommending an over-the-counter drug minoxidil (Minoxidil for Men, Rogaine) to be applied to the scalp to stop hair loss. These have been found to be effective in helping to slow the progression of male pattern hair loss.

Similarly, hair loss treatment in women revolves around minoxidil or a hormonal or iron supplement may be given. If the hair loss is caused by an infection, an antifungal or antibacterial medication can be helpful to stop hair loss.

Alopecia areata has a wide range of severity - from small, round, patchy areas of baldness of the scalp and body, to total loss of hair of the scalp (alopecia totalis) and body (alopecia universalis) which occurs in both men and women. It more commonly affects children and young adults who are typically otherwise healthy. Alopecia areata sometimes responds to use of a steroid drug in stopping hair loss. However, the stopping of hair loss effect from both drugs requires the continued use of the medication. With cessation of the treatment, susceptible hair follicles, including those with hair that has been restored, restarts the progressive hair thinning according to the individual's pattern of hair loss.

Surgical therapy ultimately achieves an overall scalp density less than that of normal hair. Given its limitations, the goal of surgical restoration is to achieve a well-groomed, presentable appearance with acceptable coverage of the bald scalp. Professional help is often most warranted in dealing with stopping hair loss.