It is normal for a person to loose 50-150 hairs a day. Hair usually falls out in the 5th year and is replenished in the next six months. These are barely visible changes in a person’s appearance. Some people however, loose more than the average amount and even takes time to regenerate new hair. These people suffer hair loss also known as Alopecia. Statistics says that about 25% of men experience hair loss by the time they turn 30 and by they are 60 years old, more than half of them have gone bald or suffer hair loss patterns. Men develop bald spots usually on the forehead and women experience hair thinning all throughout.
In treating hair loss, we need to identify first how this medical condition came about. Genetics is one cause of hair loss. Known as androgenetic alopecia, this may be attributed to the mother and would be identified as female-pattern loss or to the father and identified as male-pattern hair loss. Hair loss caused by genetics usually begins between the ages 12 to 40. There is a gradual change that can be seen in the individual. Sensitivity to the androgens is created and this causes the hair follicles to shrink. This type of hair loss must be treated early for hair to be able to regenerate. Androgenic alopecia affects half of men over 50 and 40% of women who had reached menopause.
Another cause of hair loss is alopecia areata. The immune system confuses the hair follicles as antibodies, which prompts them to attack these and lead to its shut down. This type of hair loss is temporary and hair can grow back within one year. There have been cases though of hair not growing back unless it is given treatment. Tinea capitis or what is known as the ringworm in the scalp is also one factor that can contribute to hair loss. So is poor diet lacking protein and iron.
Diseases also like cancer also bring about hair loss. This is due to the side effects of certain medications and of stress. Female changes in hormone levels such as giving birth, taking birth control pills, or changes in the menstrual cycle can lead to hair loss. There is also a compulsive behavior called trichotillomania that leads to hair loss. This behavior results to the person’s pulling out of his hair, eyelashes and/or eyebrows.
If you have gone through any of these conditions and is experiencing hair loss, there is no need to worry. There have been many remedies that dealt with hair loss. The person can choose from alternatives such as hair products, medication or surgery.
Hair products are available to help treat hair loss. There are hair care products like lotions, sprays or pills. If one decides to purchase pills, there are certain measures to follow to ensure a safe and effective acquisition. Hair loss pills are better if they are prescribed. Non-prescribed pills’ level of medicine is often weaker than prescribed ones though they may be cheaper. In the case of purchasing vitamins for cure of hair loss, it is important to make sure that it is FDA approved and is made up of natural ingredients not made of chemicals. Hairpieces or weaves are also another option to deal with your hair loss. It can be attached to the scalp through glue, tape or metal clips. Weaving is done by braiding the pieces of long hair to the existing hair.
Different medications are also available to treat hair loss. In hair loss due to genetics or androgenetic alopecia, minoxidil or rogaine and finasteride or propecia are the two FDA approved products to treat this. There are quiet expensive and although they do not guarantee to grow all the hair back, it slows down the process of losing hair. The setback of using these medications is that is you discontinue usage; the result will be more hair loss than before.
In the case of alopecia areata, corticosteroids are injected into the scalp. This is the most common treatment for this type of hair loss. Corticosteroid ointments and oral corticosteroids are available but they can cause negative side effects. For trichotillomania, a behavioral modification needs to be done.
Surgery is a more permanent solution to deal with hair loss. There are three types of these, hair transplantation surgery, scalp reduction and scalp flaps. In hair transplantation, doctors will move pieces of skin with full hair to the areas where hair is thinning or balding. This is the most common type of surgery. In scalp reduction, bald spots are removed from the head, the remaining patches of skin that have full hair will then be stretched and sewn together. Scalp flaps is the procedure that has high complication level as this often results to bleeding and infections.
In any form of medical condition, prevention is always the best cure. Having the right diet always prevents any condition from developing. In the case of hair loss, it is making sure that one has the proper amount of protein and iron in their diet. Also avoiding certain medications, and avoiding hairstyle that may damage the hair. If its too late, there are always the technological and medical advancements that are available in the society. Just be careful how to choose the remedies and carefully examine the effects that these may have on you.
