Which Hair Loss Treatments Really Work?

Everyone loses hair, right? For most people their hair loss is temporary and will grow back, or is just part of their natural hair growth cycle. But for some men and women, their hair loss is genetic and won’t grow back…at least not without help in the form of medication, surgery, or some combination of interventions. Once you begin noticing your hair loss, the problem may be exacerbated by the medical profession. A brief search online reveals dozens of stories of people devastated by hair loss. There’s the story from CNN of Lisa O’Neill Hill, a successful writer and editor who suffered from losing her beautiful red hair. There’s the acticle on the Huffington Post about a patient who took many selfies to prove she really was losing her hair, and then burst into tears with relief that someone finally believed her. And there are dozens more stories on sites such as the Women’s Hair Loss Project. Hair loss is scary and painful. Knowing there are effective treatments for hair loss can make it a little less terrifying.

Medical Treatments The first type of hair loss treatment men, and many women, consider is by prescription. Two of the most common types of medical treatment for thinning hair are Finasteride and Minoxidil (Rogaine). Of the two, Rogaine is the prescription for hair loss treatment approved for women.

Finasteride Finasteride (found in Proscar and Propecia) was first approved to treat enlarged prostate glands and in the process was found to increase hair growth. It was the first drug known to effectively treat male pattern baldness in the majority of men who use it. Hair loss is caused by heightened levels of dihydrotestosterone or DHT, and Finasteride works by lowering DHT levels. It is taken as a 1mg or 5mg tablet, and is only effective with continued use. It costs about $10/month.

Minoxidil Minoxidil, more commonly known as Rogaine, is also effective in decreasing hair loss. Unlike Finasteride, Minodxidil is taken as a topical medication (which means it’s applied directly to the scalp). It has been shown to be the most beneficial from 5 months to 2 years. Rogaine has been approved as a hair loss treatment for women by the FDA. Doctors hesitate to prescribe treatments that affect a woman’s entire body, which is why Rogaine is the preferred medical hair loss treatment for women. Its effectiveness varies from woman to woman. Rogaine costs $15-$30/month. Both Finasteride and Rogaine are effective in increasing hair in areas that are thinning but not completely bald. To regrow hair in areas that are completely bald, hair transplant surgery can be a good solution.

Surgical Treatment Options There are several hair restoration surgery options available including hair grafting, FUE and scalp reduction to name a few. Surgery works to cover areas of the scalp that are already bald, and is often used in conjunction with medical treatments. Hair transplant surgery works by taking hair follicles from one area of your scalp and transplanting them to another area. The result is an effective, permanent, and natural looking effect. Hair transplant surgery can be a very effective solution however, it can be a less effective option for women, because most women lose hair throughout their scalps. Hair transplant surgery can run anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000.

Natural Remedies Natural remedies, such as having a diet rich in iron and zinc, and eating a good amount of protein, can help increase hair growth. However, if your hair loss is due to reasons beyond poor diet, for example stress, genetics or medical conditions, the results may prove disappointing for growth, but great for overall health.

We encourage you to find out more about the variety of options available to treat hair loss in men and women. If you're concerned about your thinning hair or hair loss, it's important to consult with an experienced hair restoration professional. To learn more about treating hair loss and regrowth treatment options or to consult with a Capillus specialist in your area click here or call Capillus for more information at (786) 888 6249 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 272-9599.