In this day and age when faced with
hair loss you have a number of choices. Long gone are the days when you
hid your thinning hair underneath an obviously fake wig ignored the jokes or
just accepted hair loss as fait accompli. But today if you are not happy with
the status quo you have the option of hair re-growth lotions, medicines, hair
replacement systems and hair transplantation.
Lotions and Medications
A number of pharmaceutical products
are available that affect the structure and working of the hair follicle itself
enabling it to support the growth of healthy hair again. These
medications come in the form of lotions or as tablets to be taken with
water. There are prescription as well as over the counter drugs available
to counter hair loss. The prescription drugs are stronger, show a more
remarkable difference than the over the counter types that are less effective
but also carry less chances of side effects.
Minoxidil or Rogaine (Brand Name) is
a hair growth stimulant that is applied topically to stimulate the follicles to
grow hair. Minoxidil or Rogaine is available as a lotion, hair spray, gel
or foam and has shown to regrow hair in hereditary pattern baldness in men as
well as in women. Minoxidil is dose dependent, meaning that to maintain the
benefits to the hair the application of Minoxidil should be continued.
Minoxidil 2% takes about at least 4 months of regular usage to show results
whereas Minoxidil 5% may show positive results as soon as in 45 days.
Minoxidil 5% should not be used by women.
Retin-A by Ortho Pharmaceutical is a less familiar product that is
used alone and in combination with minoxidil to treat male pattern
baldness. Retin-A increases the amount of minoxidil reaching the hair
follicle cells thus some believe it works better.
Another solution known as Xandrox,
used as an alternative to Rogaine, is manufactured with different percentages
of Retin-A, minoxidil and azelaic acid. A doctor or pharmacist should be
consulted to advise the suitable formula for you.
Finasteride or Propecia is the only
‘take-one-a-day’ tablet that is taken as a treatment for hair loss in men due
to Male Pattern Baldness. Finasteride stops the male hormone Testosterone
from converting into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Dihydrotestosterone has
been linked to hair fall in men genetically predisposed to Male Pattern
Baldness. It is a prescription drug and is only prescribed for men with no
liver complications. It is not recommended for women or children.
Hair Replacement Systems
Hair replacement systems are hair
additions or any external hair-bearings attached to the scalp or existing hair
to cover bald spots or thinning hair. This category covers toupees, hairpieces,
hair weaves, hair extensions and partial hair prostheses. These systems may
consist of human hair, synthetic fiber or a combination of both. More
popular nowadays are partial hair additions which are secured in a number of
ways to the existing hair. Some of the techniques used are fusion,
cabling, bonding and weaving.
The last and usually the most
expensive treatment would be:
Hair Transplantation
Hair transplantation is the
surgical procedure of removing small plugs or hair bearing pieces of scalp from
the thick hair on the sides and back of the head called the donor site.
These plugs are then inserted into punched holes on the bald or thinned out
area of the head. There are several other types of hair transplant surgeries
like scalp expansion, reduction and flaps etc. Hair transplants are done by cosmetic surgeons and great care should be taken while choosing a surgeon and a
procedure.
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