Baldness, also known as alopecia, can affect both men and women. There are three kinds of alopecia known as alpoecia aerata, androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium. Andogenic alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness, is the most common form and, despite the name, can affect women, too. Baldness is often age-related, but illness, certain medications and stress can cause hair loss. Baldness does not bother some people; however, some find it has a negative effect on their confidence and self esteem. There are a number of treatments available for baldness.
Hair Transplant Surgery
During hair transplant surgery, a surgeon removes tiny patches of skin that contain hairs from the back or side of the scalp, and moves them to bald areas of the scalp. This type of treatment may be helpful for male-pattern baldness. Several treatment sessions may be needed to make any discernible difference. It is often expensive and painful and can take up to eight months for new hair to grow, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Scalp Reduction Surgery
Scalp reduction surgery removes bald areas of the scalp and stretches parts of the scalp that still contain hair across to replace the areas that have been removed. It is sometimes combined with a hair tranplant. According to the International Society of Hair Replacement Surgery, it can be a very effective solution to baldness for some patients. Scalp reducation surgery may cause scarring. Swelling, pain and numbness in the areas of the scalp treated may also occur following scalp reduction surgery.
Finasteride
Finasteride is an oral drug indicated for the treatment of male-pattern baldness in men and women. It works by stopping the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone which causes hair loss by shrinking the hair follicles. Finasteride is taken once daily and needs to be taken for several months in order to have any effect, notes MayoClinic.com. Side effects may include a lowered sex drive, though MayoClinic.com notes this effect is rare.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is a topical treatment that is rubbed in the scalp twice daily. It is available over-the-counter and is used to treat male-pattern baldness and alopecia areata. According to MayoClinic.com it can take several months for new hair growth to occur. Once minoxidil treatment is discontinued, new hair growth ceases. Some people may find minoxidil irritates their scalp; others may find it tedious to apply minoxidil twice daily.
Steroids
According to NHS Choices, the website of the U.K. National Health Service, steroid injections into the scalp may help small bald patches. Steroids prevent the immune system from attacking hair follicles, thereby preventing hair loss. Steroids can also stimulate new hair growth around four weeks after starting treatment. Topical steroids and oral steroids are also available, though their long-term effects are largely unknown.
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