treating
hair loss
THE COMPLETE GUIDE
What is Hair Loss?
Hair loss occurs in most people. Around two thirds of men, and about half of women, will experience some form of hair loss by the age of 40.
The most common type of hair loss is androgenic alopecia, which is more commonly known as male/female pattern baldness.
Some other common hair loss types include; alopecia areata, traction alopecia, seasonal shedding phases, stress-related hair fall, and for women, hair loss after pregnancy (postpartum hair loss) and during menopause, is also common.
Hair loss is usually genetic, but there are also other contributing factors that cause the hair to fall out.
Most hair loss types are difficult to treat, and results tend to vary from person-to-person.
Can Hair Loss Be Treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for hair loss. Permanent hair loss types such as androgenic alopecia, are irreversible.
However, there are some treatments on the market that can help reduce the effects of hair loss, and also support the function of normal hair growth. Results will vary with each individual.
There are three main options to take when it comes to treating hair loss, and they are:
From medications to surgical procedures, we will go through every single treatment option that has in some way been shown to help treat hair loss.
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Types of Hair Loss Treatments
- Hair Loss Medications
There are three main hair loss treatments that are medically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA-approved hair loss medications can help minimise hair loss to a certain extent, but many men (and women) are choosing to veer away from these types of treatments in order to avoid the risks of negative side-effects and potential health problems.
The three main hair loss medications are:
Let us go through each of these hair loss medications, and assess the pros and cons of each.
Finasteride
Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia among many others, is a oral medication pill used to treat hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men. Finasteride is a 5α-reductase inhibitor and therefore an antiandrogen.
Finasteride has shown to be effective as a hair loss prevention treatment for male pattern baldness. In rare cases, finasteride can also aid in hair regrowth, but this is rare.
Like with any drug or medication, finasteride does come with the risk of side-effects. Side-effects from using finasteride can include; low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, breast enlargement, skin rash, feminisation, and depression.
You should speak to your doctor before taking finasteride or any other medication.
Learn more about safe alternatives to finasteride.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole, sold under the brand name Nizoral among others, is an antiandrogen and antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal, scalp and skin infections.
While ketoconazole can't regrow hair that has fallen out as a result of androgenic alopecia, it can help regrow hair that's temporarily fallen out due to temporary hair loss conditions.
Ketoconazole is mainly used as a shampoo, most commonly branded as Nizoral. It is thought that ketoconazole lowers DHT levels and may help slow hair loss. It may even support hair growth.
Rare side-effects from ketoconazole include; itching and irritation, rash, oiliness and dryness on the scalp, and flaky skin. Ketoconazole 2% solution is generally regarded as safe to use.
Minoxidil
Most commonly branded as Regaine/Rogaine, minoxidil is a medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure and androgenic alopecia. It is an antihypertensive vasodilator, and is available as a generic medication by prescription in oral tablet, and over the counter as a topical liquid or foam.
Affects are usually minimal, but minoxidil can reverse the miniaturisation of follicles, increase blood flow around follicles, and stimulate follicle movement to growth phase.
Minoxidil should be used twice a day, and left in to absorb for a minimum of four hours after each application. This is a continuous treatment.
Some negative side-effects from this treatment can include; skin rash, headaches, dizziness, itchy scalp, swelling of the face, and excessive hair shedding.
Learn more about safe alternatives to minoxidil.
Types of Hair Loss Treatments
2. Non-Medical Hair Loss Treatments
Non-medical hair loss treatments offer patients a safe alternative to potentially harsh drugs and medications.
The effects of non-medical hair loss treatments varies greatly, with only a select few able to treat hair loss on any sort of scale. Non-medical treatments are most effective for early stages of hair loss.
The three main types of non-medical hair loss treatments are:
Let us go through each of these non-medical hair loss treatments, and assess the pros and cons of each.
Micro Needling
Micro needling with a derma roller, or a derma stamp, can be a method of treatment for hair loss.
Micro needling is a cosmetic procedure. It involves pricking the skin with tiny sterilised needles. As the small wounds begin to heal, this causes the body to produce a rush of protein and collagen, which can stimulate hair follicle activity, thus leading to the healthy production of healthy hair growth.
Micro needling can be done at most hair clinics, or from the comfort of your own home. The most affordable option is to invest in a derma device, and implement the practice remotely.
Using a 1.5mm derma roller, just once a week, in conjunction with minoxidil and Nizoral shampoo,
can help halt hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is an important endogenous mediator of hair follicle growth, development, nourishment, and differentiation.
KGF, most commonly used in a topical serum, can be hugely effective for the prevention of hair fall, and the stimulation of strong, healthy hair growth. The effects of KGF vary from person-to-person.
KGF serum is often used as a safe and effective alternative to harsh medications such as minoxidil. It is safe to use for both men and women, with no reported major negative side-effects.
For best results, apply KGF Serum to the desired areas of the scalp, 3-4 times a week. Leave in to absorb for a minimum of four hours before washing out. KGF Serum can be particularly effective when used in conjunction with regular micro needling.
HR23+® Hair Supplement
HR23+® is the leading specialist hair supplement that contains key properties for the development and maintenance of hair follicle cells. It can build capillaries and improve the blood flow to the scalp, as well as protect hair follicle membranes, and activate hair cell growth.
This supplement contains potent extracts that contribute to blocking 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, and additionally work as an antiandrogen, which can highly benefit women
with hair loss, in particular.
With consistent use, HR23+® can help minimise hair loss, support hair growth, and maintain the function of healthy hair. This supplement has shown to work in 9/10 users.
HR23+® is is often considered to be the safest and most effective alternative to harsh prescription medications.
Types of Hair Loss Treatments
3. Advanced Hair Loss Treatments
Male and female patients suffering from advanced stages of baldness and thinning hair, should seek more advanced treatments and procedures.
Advanced hair loss treatments may include surgical procedures, which are usually very expensive.
There are three main types of advanced hair loss treatments, and they are:
Let us go through each of these advanced hair loss treatments, and assess the pros and cons of each.
Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) — also referred to as red light therapy and cold laser therapy — irradiates photons into scalp tissues.
These photons are absorbed by weak cells to encourage hair growth. It's widely accepted that the procedure is safe, tolerable, and less invasive than hair transplant surgery. LLLT does not fully reverse permanent hair loss types like androgenic alopecia.
The effects of LLLT tend to vary. Some patients reported some hair growth after multiple sessions, while other patients saw no significant improvements in their hair.
LLLT can be done professionally at a hair clinic, or at home. LLLT devices such as laser combs, helmets and brushes are widely available to purchase, varying in price from £150 to £1,000. The exact effectiveness of LLLT is unclear.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) consists of two elements: plasma, or the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, a type of blood cell that plays an important role in healing throughout the body. Platelets contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and stimulate tissue regeneration in the treated area.
The PRP procedure is a process that involves withdrawing a blood sample from the patient and then placing it into a device called a centrifuge. This rapidly spins the sample, separating out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrating them within the plasma. The sample is then injected into the scalp. The procedure is repeated over multiple sessions, with each session costing around £400-£800.
More trials and testing is needed in order to establish PRP's exact effectiveness.
Hair Transplantation Surgery
Hair transplantation is a surgical technique that removes hair follicles from one part of the body, called the 'donor site', to a bald or balding part of the body known as the 'recipient site'. The technique is primarily used to treat male pattern baldness, but it can also be used to treat women with thinning hair.
Despite their rise in popularity, hair transplants do not guarantee best results. Cases tend to vary from patient-to-patient, but hair transplants often deliver good results.
Hair transplants can be very expensive, over a number of sessions. Each procedure can cost in the region of £2,500 upwards, depending on the patient's age, hair type, and stage of hair loss.
A hair transplant is usually the last course of
action to take for more advanced stages of hair loss.
Conclusion
Hair loss is a complex issue, but in some cases it can be treated both safely and effectively.
It is important to diagnose a hair loss type before treating it. This is vital because once the hair loss type has been diagnosed, it will be easier to treat the issue more efficiently and effectively.
It is also important to asses the stage of hair loss. If the patient is experiencing early stages of thinning hair, then medications, as well as non-medical treatments, may help slow down and even stop the excessive hair fall. More advanced stages of baldness will likely require advanced treatments. I all depends on the individual case.
Results will vary from person-to-person when treating hair loss. Much of the process is finding a treatment plan that works best for the individual.
