1. Power of Cortisone
Cortisone is one method for treating alopecia. Specifically, doctors often use cortisone pills for both alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis. Cortisone pills are stronger than injections, and more appropriate for complete hair loss on the scalp and over the entire body. Dermatologists frequently administer cortisone injections for people experiencing mild or patchy alopecia areata. Injections go directly into the site of the hair loss on a monthly basis. The goal of this treatment is to induce new hair growth, which normally occurs within four weeks of the injections.
2. Induce a Rash to Regrow Hair
Occasionally, doctors use topical immunotherapy to treat extensive alopecia, although this method is more common in Europe and Canada. Patients receiving topical immunotherapy have chemicals applied to their skin. These chemicals are strong enough to induce a rash similar to poison ivy. Some patients experience regrowth after six months of treatment.
3. Apply Creams and Ointments
There are several topical medications available for treatment of hair loss. Rogaine, an over-the-counter medication, is perhaps the best known treatment. This medication, also known as Minoxidil, is a topical solution applied directly to the scalp. Rogaine prevents future hair loss in people with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. Anthralin cream is another topical ointment applied once daily directly to hairless parts of the scalp. After a few minutes, patients wash off the cream. Some skin discoloration and irritation may occur when using anthralin cream.
4. Treating Bald Men
Propecia, also known by the generic name Finasteride, is a prescription medication that doctors use to treat bald men. This daily pill prevents testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is important because DHT actually makes male hair follicles smaller, leading to the condition known as male pattern baldness.
5. Exploring Surgical Options
If less invasive treatments prove unsuccessful, then surgical options come into play. Surgical procedures include scalp reduction and hair transplants. Scalp reduction reduces the percentage of bald scalp. A surgeons removes parts of the scalp that are hairless and then stretches scalp containing hair over that area. Surgeons also may cover hairless portions of the scalp with pieces of scalp that contain hair. Hair transplant surgery involves transplanting plugs of hair from the backs and sides of the head to hairless areas. Surgery to treat baldness is invasive, expensive and painful. Also, patients don't see results immediately. Sometimes it takes up to eight months for hair to appear.
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