Thinning hair can be caused by heredity, medications, illness, overprocessing and many other factors. Millions of people worldwide, both women and men, have experienced thinning hair. Thinning hair remedies can improve the appearance of remaining hair and regrow lost hair.
Cut and Style Carefully
While neither of these strategies will regrow lost hair, they will protect your remaining hair. According to WebMD, curling irons and hair dryers damage the hair, resulting in breakage. Meanwhile, the wrong haircut exacerbates the problem by calling attention to thin areas. If you do not have enough hair left to style in a way that hides the hair loss, consider wearing a wig or hairpiece. The Mayo Clinic recommends this remedy for those looking for an alternative to medical remedies for thinning hair.
Take Propecia
Propecia, also known as Loniten or Finasteride, is one of only two medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of male pattern baldness. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 83 percent of male patients experienced some degree of hair regrowth after a year. Propecia is most effective when used to treat mild to moderate hereditary hair loss, particularly male pattern baldness.
Take Rogaine
Rogaine, or minoxidil, has been marketed as a treatment for thinning hair and male pattern baldness. Within four to 12 months, this topical solution slows the pace of hereditary hair thinning or loss. A University of Maryland Medical Center study found that 60 percent of men and women experienced some level of hair regrowth.
Hair Replacement Surgery
There are several surgical remedies for hair loss. During most of these procedures, hair is transplanted from other areas of the body or other sections of the hairline into areas where hair is noticeably thinning or missing. Depending on the surgical method used, up to 700 strands of hair can be transplanted in each session, according to the plastic surgery website docshop.com. During hair transplantation, small cuts are made in the scalp, and tiny sections of hair are grafted into these cuts. The transplanted hair follicles, or plugs, can take several months to root, warns the Mayo Clinic. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is the remedy of last resort, because of its invasive nature and the cost and risks associated with surgery.
Topical Hair Loss Remedies
There are many shampoos and topical creams marketed as hair loss remedies. However, the FDA has not approved any prescription drugs other than Rogaine and Propecia. According to the University of Michigan Medical Center, most other hair loss treatments have not been scientifically proven to regrow lost hair. Although many people who are not happy with the appearance of their hair try these thinning hair remedies, very few have been shown to work.
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