Hair Loss Treatment

On average, we lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs each day. If you are shedding over 125 hairs in a day, notice bald patches or thinning hair, you are experiencing hair loss.

Apart from genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors also play a role in hair loss, such as

nutritional deficiencies

• stress
• a hormone imbalance
• chronic illnesses
• certain medications
• treatments such as chemotherapy
• damage to hair or scalp due to harsh chemicals, excessive use of heat, styling, or tight ponytails

In women, the additional risk factors include age above 40, menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth.

The Balancing Act: Hair loss treatments

Effective hair loss treatments begin with the identification of the cause. A board-certified dermatologist evaluates the scalp, the pattern of baldness, and the extent of damage to the hair apart from reviewing your medical and medication history. The dermatologist may order a scalp biopsy, blood tests, and other diagnostics as required to make an accurate diagnosis.

If the hair loss is due to tight ponytails/braids or excess heat, the doctor will recommend you to change your hairstyle and avoid the use of styling products.

If the blood tests reveal a nutritional deficiency, your doctor may prescribe a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. A supplement may also be prescribed to correct the deficiency. The most common nutrients linked to hair loss are iron, zinc, magnesium, protein, biotin, vitamin A, B complex vitamins, vitamin E and C.

Prescription medications

Finasteride with the brand name Propecia® is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved prescription medication to treat hair loss in men due to androgenetic alopecia. This medication slows down hair loss while stimulating the growth of new hair.

Spironolactone is an option for women with female pattern hair loss that can increase hair thickness and stop further loss of hair.

If the hair loss is due to a fungal infection of the scalp, the doctor may prescribe antifungal medication.

Minoxidil or Rogaine® is a topical hair loss treatment that is applied to the scalp once or twice a day. Many people experience hair regrowth with minoxidil, although it can take anywhere from three to six months to see the results. The drawback is that hair stops growing once you stop using minoxidil.

Other hair loss treatments

Microneedling: A few studies show that microneedling can stimulate hair growth. This involves creating micro-injuries on the scalp using very small needles. It can also be combined with PRP (Platelet-rich-plasma) treatment where plasma rich in growth factors are infused into the micro-injuries.

Hair transplant: Hair transplant is a surgical process where hair follicles are removed from other parts of the body (such as legs) and planted on the bald areas.

Laser therapy: LLLT or low-level laser therapy is a non-invasive and safe way to treat hair loss. When used along with minoxidil, laser therapy helps improve blood circulation to the scalp and promotes hair growth.

Natural hair loss remedies such as onion juice, eggs, lemon juice, herbal teas, and oils may also help with performing the balancing act when it comes to restoring hair health.