Finding Out the Right Treatments for Hair Loss

April 25th, 2010 posted by Guest Author

People of all ages can suffer from many different types of hair loss. The word most commonly used when referring to hair loss is “alopecia.” Alopecia is merely a general term that indicates any kind of hair loss. While hair loss is an embarrassing condition, there are a multitude of treatments for hair loss available that will halt future loss and cause regrowth.

Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness found in both men and women, is the most frequently diagnosed kind of alopecia. Most men find great success with use of the drug Propecia. Propecia works by preventing hair follicles from getting smaller, and allowing hair to regrow as well.

For women, the most effective treatment is a topical cream called Minoxidil. Doctors are hesitant to prescribe systemic medicines for women due to the effect it has on the female body compared to that of men. Some medications will lower androgen levels in the body, which is why topical treatments are used instead.

Only three percent of pediatric patients each year are seen because of hair loss. Children suffering from hair loss are usually easily treated. An infection caused by fungus, an immune system attack on follicles, trauma to the hair shaft and extraordinary stress induced by occurrences like death or painful injury are both reasons that a child may experience hair loss and seek treatments for hair loss.

Non-surgical hair replacement is a treatment for loss that is available to men, women, and children. Hairpieces can be purchased and affixed directly to the head, either temporarily or permanently. Real human hair is used in the best pieces. They are a fantastic option for many people. Price plus the regular maintenance required are a couple of drawbacks associated with this option.

Another of the potential treatments for hair loss is surgical hair restoration. Hair is harvested from the back of the scalp and then transplanted to balding areas on the scalp. As with any surgery, it is important to do thorough research to find the most qualified surgeon.

There is a great deal of research being conducted today on future treatments for hair loss. These treatments include things such as hair follicle duplication and gene therapy. These options require finding the DNA that is responsible for hair loss. Today’s surgical options are limited because no new hair is added. The client’s own hair is simply redistributed over the scalp to create the overall look of a fuller head of hair.

Other options are for management, including cosmetic solutions that can be applied to the scalp to create the look of thicker hair. The future for hairpieces is bright as well. They will likely be constructed with higher quality materials, and will be virtually undetectable.

It is important for those suffering from hair loss to find support, which is available both locally as well as on the internet. Support can even be found while driving in the car and listening to the stereo – there is a show committed to providing information that is helpful to those suffering from the emotional aspect of hair loss. The local library or non-profit group are also great places to locate printed information about treatments for hair loss and how to deal with it.

Mary Ann Stevens offers a lot of useful information regarding treatments for hair loss. You can visit her website about remedies for hair loss for more helpful information.