Hair loss---also known as alopecia---comes naturally with age for many men and women. Sometimes hair loss that occurs early in life can be hereditary or it can be caused by a health condition such as diabetes. A dermatologist can help you determine the cause of your hair loss, which can affect your treatment choices. There are many hair loss remedies available for this condition, including medications and surgical options.
Medication
Medication can be used to treat an underlying cause of hair loss. Often times proper medical treatment will improve the condition, resulting in hair regrowth. A dermatologist can try injecting the target area with cortisone. Minoxidil is a topical medication that promotes hair growth and works to prevent further hair loss. Finasteride is a prescription pill that is FDA-approved for men for the treatment of male-pattern baldness. Finasteride can cause birth defects in a male fetus, making the medication unsafe for women of childbearing age. Anthralin is another topical medication that is used like a shampoo. Anthralin stimulates hair growth.
Cosmetic Surgery
There are multiple cosmetic surgery options available to treat hair loss. A hair transplant involves taking small strips of skin with hair on it---such as from the back---and applying them to bald areas. Scalp reduction is a procedure that reduces a few inches of the bald areas, then suturing the skin back together. Scalp expansion involves placing a device to stretch the skin under the scalp for a few weeks.
Wig
A wig is a non-invasive treatment alternative for those who do not feel comfortable with medications and those who have not had positive results. Wigs come in a variety of hair styles and colors, and many are made so well that others cannot tell you are even wearing a wig or hairpiece.
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