Hair Loss Treatment for Adults

Hair Loss Treatment for Adults
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Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can affect anyone of any age, especially adults. It can be the result of poor nutrition, injuries, sicknesses, genetics and hormonal shifts. According to FamilyDoctor.org, hair grows one centimeter a month. Ninety percent of hair on your head is growing, while the other 10 percent is in a resting phase. At the end of the resting phase, that hair is shed, and new hair grows in its place. When you begin noticing that you are shedding more hair than usual, you may want to explore options that help you to grow more hair on your scalp.

Medications

Minoxidil is a liquid or foam medication that is available without a prescription. It is rubbed onto balding areas twice a day and can take up to six months to provide results. It is also necessary to continue using Minoxidil in order for hair to keep growing.
Finasteride is a prescription pill available for men experiencing hair loss as a result of aging or genetics. It works by stopping the hormone that shrinks hair follicles. It should not be handled by pregnant women, as it can cause birth defects.

Medical Procedures

A dermatologist can determine if specific cases of hair loss are severe enough or have the potential to benefit from medical procedures such as cortisone injections, which are used to stimulate hair follicles. Hair transplants involve taking hair from regions such as the sides or back of the head and transplanting the hair to bald areas. The balding area can begin to look normal in about six months. Scalp reductions, which involve removing bald areas of skin and then joining the remaining skin to make the area appear smaller, are also an option.

Other Treatments

Since hair loss can be caused by several things, treating the cause of hair loss directly is often most effective. Hair loss can be caused by hormonal imbalance, illness, stress or certain medications. If this is the case, hair growth could return to normal with hormone supplements, reduced stress or different medications. Unnecessary stress on hair, such as tight ponytails and excessive bleaching, coloring and straightening, can also inhibit growth. Reducing these practices can restore it.

References

Article reviewed by Lauren Fritsky Last updated on: May 12, 2010

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