The National Institutes of Health says most people lose up to 100 hairs from their scalps every day, and for most people, the hair grows back. Losing a more noticeable amount of hair can simply be a sign of aging, and heredity is likely to blame. However, some people may lose hair because of certain medical conditions, stress, diet or medications. Proper treatment depends on a proper diagnosis.
See a Doctor
If hair loss becomes a problem for you, it's wise to see your doctor before beginning any self-treatment. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, says a physician can help to rule out conditions such as thyroid problems, diabetes or lupus that may contribute to your loss of hair. The doctor should also look at possible causes such as poor nutrition, a low-protein diet or a stressful lifestyle. If these conditions are addressed, the hair problem may resolve itself. Some medications list hair loss as a potential side effect, and in that case, a change in your prescription could solve the hair problems. Patients who undergo chemotherapy for cancer frequently lose their hair, but grow it back again once the treatments end.
Medications
While there's no cure for baldness, there are medications on the market that can help to promote hair growth. The Mayo Clinic says minoxidil is a non-prescription medicine that comes in a liquid or foam that's rubbed into the scalp to help grow hair and prevent further loss. It says the new hair may be thinner or shorter, but you may grow enough to help to hide some bald spots. Finasteride is a prescription given to men for male-pattern baldness, but it has not been approved for use by women. Pregnant women are advised to not even handle broken or crushed finasteride tablets because absorbing the drug could cause serious birth defects in male fetuses. Doctors may prescribe corticosteroid injections, ointments and creams for treatment of some extensive hair loss problems.
Surgery
There are some surgical options for treating hair loss. If you opt for a hair transplant, tiny plugs of skin with a few hairs each will be taken from the back or sides of the scalp and implanted in the bald areas. It may take several transplant sessions to maintain the desired look. Another option is to have a scalp reduction. In this surgery, some of the bald skin is removed and the space left is closed with hair-covered scalp.
Wigs
Wigs and hairpieces also may be used to cover up hair loss. These may be an especially good option if the hair loss is temporary, such as in the case of chemotherapy treatments. Many shops specialize in giving you just the look you desire.
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