Balding is usually due to decreased hair growth or increased hair shedding. Many things trigger hair loss, including autoimmune disorders, medications, illness, acute and prolonged stress and trauma, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, accounts for most hair loss in those older than the age of 50 years and is caused by a combination of genetics and hormonal factors. Regrowing balding hair is possible in some cases with the long-term use of medication.
Step 1
Try finasteride, an oral medication that regrows balding hair by blocking DHT, the chemical responsible for shrinking hair follicles in male pattern baldness. The American Hair Loss Association notes that finasteride effectively treats male pattern baldness in most men who use the medication as directed. Finasteride may also be useful for some women suffering from hair loss.
Step 2
Apply minoxidil, a medication that regrows hair in some men and women by dilating blood vessels and stimulating hair follicles. Unfortunately, the effects of minoxidil are temporary and hair loss generally resumes within one year of discontinuing treatment.
Step 3
Use an androgen receptor inhibitor if you are female and your hair loss is associated with high levels of circulating androgen hormones. Spironolactone and cimetidine are two androgen inhibitors that may help regrow hair in women.
Step 4
Take birth control pills or undergo hormone replacement therapy if your hair loss is due to low levels of estrogen and progesterone. When these hormones are lacking, androgen hormones become dominant. This can trigger hair loss in some women. Supplementation with estrogen and progesterone can reverse this effect.
Step 5
Shampoo your hair with a shampoo containing ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, or apply a topical form of ketoconazole directly to your scalp to reduce androgen levels and stop hair loss associated with scalp conditions or fungal infections. Ketoconazole is suitable for men and women, and causes no notable side effects, according to the American Hair Loss Association.
Tips and Warnings
- Most cases of hair loss caused by stress, trauma and illness will resolve in time without treatment. Hair loss due to an autoimmune or other medical disorder will sometimes cease after the underlying disorder is treated.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo containing ketoconazole
References
- American Hair Loss Association: Hair Loss Treatment
- American Hair Loss Association: Men's Hair Loss Treatment
- American Hair Loss Association: Women's Hair Loss Treatment
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: Common Questions About Hair Restoration
- New Zealand Dermatological Society: Hair Loss
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