Hair loss, called alopecia, has a significant impact on an individual's well-being and emotional state. While some amount of hair loss is normal, excessive amounts are not and may indicate a condition needing attention from a health care professional. Treatments to improve the health of your hair and to address cosmetic issues are available. Rather than ignoring your condition, educate yourself about the treatment options offered to you.
Treatment Options
Hair loss has been the topic of extensive research and development, and a wide variety of treatment options now exist. These range from over the counter medications to surgery to dietary supplements, and treatments are often combined to achieve the most optimal result possible. Because some hair loss situations may indicate a more serious condition, the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) encourages individuals to consult a professional dermatologist who will be able to accurately diagnose your condition and guide you as you select treatment.
Dietary Supplements
Often, hair loss can be caused by a lack of vital nutrients in your diet. Hair grows an average of half an inch per month. This rapid rate of growth requires adequate nutritional support. Additionally, your body needs to be equipped with what it needs to protect your hair follicles from the harmful attacks of free radicals. Dietary supplements treat hair loss by giving your hair the nutrients and protection it needs and is often a good first choice when beginning treatment. According to the Huntington College of Health Sciences, crucial hair supplements include vitamins A, C and E, biotin, zinc, selenium and folic acid.
Pharmacological Treatments
Both over-the-counter and prescription drugs are available to treat hair loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, these treatments are not as successful when there is extensive hair loss, and their effectiveness depends on the individual's condition and response to the drug. Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is a commonly used over-the-counter drug to treat hair loss. Minoxidil is applied topically, and can help reduce hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth. Finasteride is prescribed for men only, and combats the male hormones that encourage hair loss. In some cases, corticosteroids can be injected directly into the scalp, or applied topically.
Surgery
The AAD describes several types of surgery options as treatments for hair loss. Hair transplant involves taking sections of hair-bearing skin and grafting them into balding areas. Scalp reduction removes bald areas of skin and sutures the scalp together, thus minimizing the amount of bald skin visible. This surgery is often performed in conjunction with scalp extension, where extenders are placed beneath hair-bearing skin to stretch it and allow it to cover a greater area.
Stress Reduction
The National Library of Medicine states that physical or emotional stress can cause an individual to lose one-half to three-quarters of their scalp hair. Situations that may cause this type of stress are illnesses, childbirth, radical diets and severe emotional distress. Hair loss may not begin until several weeks after the initial stress, and may take six to eight months to resolve. Helpful treatments involve using hats or wigs to address appearances, and treating the source of stress with stress reduction techniques and medical attention.
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