Hair loss is an acknowledged issue of the aging process for a few people and a cause of anguish for some other ones. Hair loss has its effect on a large number of men and women across the globe with some more quickly than others. The cause of hair loss may be excess stress, which is temporary but the permanent kind is due to a condition termed androgenetic alopecia. Here the hair follicle shrinks and will lose its capability of growing any hair.
What is androgenetic alopecia?
This is a condition that affects both men and women. In men, hair loss occurs in the form of an “M” shape to begin with and later on progresses to other parts causing partial or full hair loss. In women, this does not cause complete hair loss, but the hair starts to become thinner at all places. Male pattern baldness is hereditary and may be due to a decrease in male sex hormones. It may also start during the very early stages of life and increase as age progresses. The reasons for female hair loss are not much clear. Usually, hair loss in women occurs after menopause, which may be due to the decrease in female hormones.
With the cases of an increase in hair loss problems, there are a lot of advancements in finding a permanent solution to reduce concern for the majority of the population. But the effect of the medicines and treatments is dependent on several factors. If the follicle has disappeared, closed, damaged, and has not grown hair for a long time, then it is impossible to generate the growth of new hair. If the follicle is still present, then it can be treated to regrow the hair or enhance the condition of the remaining hairs.
Hair loss treatments: There are different types of medications available to stop or reverse the hair loss effects. But the majority of them only stop hair loss instead of providing a permanent cure and generate new growth.
Medications: A medicine called Finasteride hinders the growth of an enzyme called type II 5-alpha-reductase, which converts male hormone testosterone into androgen DHT. These DHT stops the weak follicles and does not allow them to grow back. The DHT levels are termed to be decreased with the usage of this medicine. But this medication will only work until it is taken and will not have any effect on women.
Dutasteride is a type of medicine that works in the same way as finasteride. But along with hindering the growth of type II 5-alpha reductase, it also additionally hinders the growth of another type I of the enzyme. Inhibiting both the type of enzymes drops the effects of DHT and more effectively decreases the possibility of damage to the hair follicles. But it has similar downsides as the finasteride, so it only works if it is taken regularly and doesn’t have long-lasting benefits.
One of the other alternative medicine is Minoxidil. It encourages hair growth by stimulating potassium channels in the follicle which leads to an increase in prostaglandins that enhance hair growth. The usual style of treatment is the application of Minoxidil lotion to the scalp that causes an increase in blood flow and thereby promoting the growth of healthy hair. But a major downside of this is that people who had taken this medicine have reported a decrease in sex drive. This treatment has very less effect on the hormonal hair loss problem and its results are very much temporary. With the minimal effect of this medication, it is very rarely used.
Herbal Supplements: A herbal medicine called saw palmetto is an herb that is conventionally been given to treat prostate problems in men. Since the other medications come with side effects, men prefer to take this medicine as it is known to stop the effects of stimulated receptors upon the hair follicles in the condition of androgenetic alopecia. Few of the other herbal supplements and medicines include pumpkin seeds, zinc, vitamin B6, horsetail extract, chamomile, ginseng, etc. Researches have shown that any of these things or a blend of them might generate follicle growth and may enhance the strength of hair.
Hair transplantation: This is a procedure that comprises harvesting follicles from a healthy part of the head (generally back part) that are DHT resilient and transplanting them to hair loss areas. A hair transplant expert will extract tiny parts of skin that hold hair follicles and implant them in the place of non-functioning follicles. There are chances that hairs may grow as one per follicle or emerge in a group of hairs. When the procedure is complete, the total amount of hairs in the head will be the same as before, but they would be evenly distributed across the scalp. But downsides are that there is a risk of infection and procedure marks. This procedure is quite painful and relatively very expensive.
Plasma Injections: The latest advancement in hair restoration treatment is Platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP). They have been utilized in different areas of modern-day medicine for many years but their use in hair treatments has been started only a few years back. In this procedure, blood is drawn out from the individual with a hair loss problem and growth features are taken out from the blood. These are infused into the area of the scalp where there is a hair loss issue. This procedure is highly recommended by experts since it has the maximum potential for stopping hair loss and stimulate the regrowth of hair.
Bottom line: If you are facing hair loss issues and if your family has a history of androgenetic alopecia or thinning hair, you should make a quick decision to consult the finest expert for prevention and suitable treatment approaches. Chariss Family medical spa services in Lanham, MD, US has specialization experts in PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy for hair loss to give you the peace of mind and the hair that you needed.
