The American Hair Loss Council explains that normal hair fall is approximately 100 to 125 hairs a day. When you lose an excess of this amount, or the lost hairs aren't replaced by new growth, you're most likely suffering from some form of hair loss. Both men and women experience this condition, which is often referred to as pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. Though this is the most common form of hair loss in either gender, there are other reasons why people lose their hair, making treatment dependant on the root cause.
Minoxidil
One of the more effective scalp treatments for thinning hair is minoxidil, a topical medication administered directly to the scalp, assert experts at the Mayo Clinic. Twice-daily application can prevent further thinning and even encourage new hair growth in both men and women. It's offered in two concentrations, including a 2 percent nonprescription strength and 5 percent prescription strength. According to the American Hair Loss Association, minoxidil is more effective in treating women suffering from androgenetic alopecia than men. Men respond better to finasteride, a prescription medication that affects the production of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a hormone responsible for follicular reduction that results in thinning and baldness.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is another scalp treatment for thinning hair, advises the American Hair Loss Association. Much like minoxidil, it's applied directly the scalp. However, instead of a foam or liquid, ketoconazole is administered in the form of a shampoo. Women using this topical medication can actually reduce the production of testosterone, which can reduce the production of DHT, and thereby treat female-pattern baldness. It's offered in a prescription and nonprescription strength. The prescription formula is considered more effective, so you may want to discuss this treatment option with a dermatologist.
Corticosteroids
The Mayo Clinic offers corticosteroids as a scalp treatment for thinning hair, stating that cortisone injections directly into the scalp may help to stimulate new hair growth. The only caveat with this form of treatment is that it doesn't work for people suffering from androgenetic alopecia. Only those individuals with alopecia areata experience new hair growth roughly four weeks after treatment.
Anthralin
When you are suffering from alopecia areata, you may also benefit from anthralin, advises the Mayo Clinic. Much like minoxidil and ketoconazole, this topical medication is applied directly to the scalp to help stimulate new hair growth. This form of treatment takes longer to encourage hair growth, averaging at upwards of 12 weeks.
Hair Transplant
If other forms of treat fail to provide results, you may benefit from a hair transplant. There are a number of different ways in which hair transplants are administered. You may simply have donor hair removed from other areas of the scalp and transplanted in grafts along thinning areas. You may also have scalp reduction where balding segments of the scalp are removed, minimizing the number of graft necessary to thicken your head of hair.
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