Hair Loss
Hair loss solutions for men and women
Hair loss is a problem that affects millions of men and women in the United States. It can occur on the head or on the body and has a wide range of causes, from the genetic to the psychological.
There is a wide variety of drugs, topical creams and other therapies that claim to offer hair loss restoration. If you're suffering from this condition and want to recover your hair, it's important that you educate yourself on the many options available and work closely with your family physician to choose a safe, effective treatment.
An Overview of Hair Loss Products
It is important to be aware that, in the United States, there are only two drugs on the market that are approved for the treatment of hair loss by the Food and Drug Administration. They are minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is most effective for treating hair loss that occurs on the top of the head and the front of the scalp. Finasteride has numerous applications and can be used both as a hair loss treatment and as a supplemental drug therapy for enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.
Numerous other herbal remedies and synthetic drugs claim to counteract hair loss or have shown promise in laboratory testing, including several anti-androgens, steroids and topical creams. However, researchers have been unable to conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of herbal remedies in controlled environments, and FDA approval of several new drugs is pending.
Other Hair Loss Solutions
Hair replacement surgery, including hair transplants and hair multiplication, has long been a popular solution. If the hair loss has stabilized, this can be an effective treatment. However, if it is continuing, it is merely a temporary solution, and to maintain the appearance of a full head of hair, subsequent procedures are usually necessary.
Low level laser therapy has applications as a hair loss treatment, as well. This technique aims to stimulate the activity of hair follicles that have ceased to produce hair. While it is effective for relatively mild cases of hair loss, it must be maintained over time, or its hair regrowth effects will cease.
If you are experiencing hair loss on your head or body and you want to do something about it, you should begin by consulting your family doctor. Should your initial attempts to regrow hair meet with unsatisfactory results, get a referral to a specialist to discuss other options.
