Because of the most common cause of hair loss which is ageing and heredity, most men think that hair loss or male-pattern baldness is natural or cannot and does not need to be treated. This leads to never consulting a clinic and never getting it treated. However, there are different types of treatment programs that are effective in hair regeneration and growth.
Hair loss is common in both men and women, although more in men. There are different causes of hair loss which is why before undergoing treatment, your doctor will need to acquire important information about your medical and family history, your hair care routine, and your diet. Also, you will have to go through physical tests such as:
- Pull test – gently pulling your hair to see how many will fall out. This determines the intensity of your shedding process
- Light microscopy – using a special instrument, trimmed hair from the bases are examined to expose possible disorders on the hair shaft
- Blood test – helps in uncovering medical conditions that may be the main cause of your hair loss
- Scalp biopsy – scraping samples from the skin or plucking few hairs from the scalp so hair roots can be examined by a doctor under a microscope. This will help the doctor identify whether the infection is causing hair loss
After the diagnosis, there are different treatments that the doctor may prescribe. The three common treatments are medication, laser therapy, and hair transplant surgery.
Medication
Some causes of hair loss can be underlying health conditions so medication is needed for that certain illness first. However, different kinds of medications are available to treat pattern or hereditary baldness. Some of the most common medications are:
- Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription drug taken daily as a pill for men. IT can slow hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Take months before it starts working and may need constant intake to retain its effective hair benefits. It works best for men under 60. Women who are pregnant should avoid touching Finasteride tablets.
- Minoxidil (Rogaine) is nonprescription or over-the-counter (OTC) when it comes in the form of liquid drops, spray, foam, or shampoo forms. It works for both men and women. It is most effective when applied to the scalp skin daily: once a day for women, twice for men. IT helps regenerate and regrow hair through dilating the blood vessels where you apply it and supplies nutrient-rich blood that is needed for your hair growth. It slows the rate of hair loss or shedding and prolongs the hair growth phase. It may take at least six months to achieve lustrous hair and prevent further hair loss.
Hair transplant surgery
Only the top of the head experiences hair loss in the most common type of hair loss. Restoration or hair transplant surgeries can address this concern. Hair transplant surgery is a procedure where hair from other areas of your head is removed and transplanted into the bald spot.
Laser therapy
A low-level laser is used in this treatment to improve hair density and treat hereditary hair loss in both men and women. The use of this kind of laser is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
If you are interested in having a consultation about your hair loss and in purchasing medication, click for treatment.
