Hair Loss Treatments
Hair loss treatment begins by diagnosing what's causing it; consulting a dermatologist for an examination of your scalp could reveal vital clues that point towards potential solutions.
Blood tests or scalp biopsies may be needed to evaluate potential causes of hair loss, such as vitamin deficiencies or imbalanced hormone levels. Supplements like biotin, iron and zinc can provide much-needed nutritional relief in this regard.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is one of the most sought-after treatments available for both men and women seeking hair loss solutions, known for promoting new hair growth while slowing or reversing baldness. Available as topical spray or foam, you should apply Minoxidil once or twice daily directly onto your scalp to see results - especially effective against recent loss! It should be safe for most users as well.
Minoxidil works in many different ways, yet its exact mechanism remains obscure. However, it does stimulate hair growth while slowing thinning or balding for some people and increasing existing density - particularly on men's temples and crowns of heads. Furthermore, it may help reverse traction effluvium (weakened follicles that lead to hair loss).
Be cautious when using this medication as it can cause redness or itching of the scalp and should never be applied directly onto sunburned or irritated skin. Furthermore, temporary shedding at the beginning may occur; be sure to wash your hands after applying and avoid getting any in your eyes.
Finasteride
Finasteride stands out from other hair loss solutions on the market as an oral medication developed by Merck in 1992 for men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Participants in clinical trials noticed an unexpected side effect - additional hair growth!
The drug works by blocking 5 alpha-reductase, an enzyme responsible for inhibiting testosterone's conversion to DHT and keeping more hair follicles active while preventing others from shrinking further. By keeping more testosterone active for an extended period, more hair follicles become active and miniaturization is prevented.
As it can take 6-12 months for these pills to take effect, it is crucial that they are taken consistently over an extended period. Furthermore, taking them before having a hair transplant can maximize its results; taking these drugs before your procedure can improve density of grafts while thickening existing hairs while slowing the rate of balding post-transplant.
Hair Transplants
Hair transplants are a surgical process that involve moving individual follicles from thicker areas of your scalp or face to thin or balding spots on it, using different techniques such as using a pen-like tool for extraction and implanting each individual follicle or extracting and stitching closed a strip of skin from behind your head in order to leave an almost indiscernible scar in its place. Surgeons usually employ these processes using either techniques or by extracting hair follicles individually from one region before placing them where they belong - leaving any visible scar in place that leaves few signs.
Getting a hair transplant? To ensure an excellent experience, choose a surgeon registered with both the Care Quality Commission and General Medical Council as well as an UK clinic with an excellent customer satisfaction reputation.
Your surgeon will administer anesthetic prior to starting surgery to ensure a comfortable experience. They will then carefully remove a narrow band of hair from behind your scalp, carefully divide it up and place tiny "micro" grafts to thicken areas that have experienced balding or thinning on your scalp.
Laser Treatments
Lasers utilize intense beams of light to treat skin conditions by targeting specific wavelengths. Different cells within our bodies absorb various colors of light; when these wavelengths are targeted with lasers, tissue destruction or modification occurs.
Lasers designed to target hemoglobin can lighten blood spots and redness caused by rosacea, port wine stains and scars; while an ND: YAG laser can fade pigmentation and treat tattoos. Some lasers even trigger collagen production for wrinkle tightening purposes.
Physicians can recommend appropriate laser treatments based on factors like skin tone and thickness, medical history and health needs. Ablative laser procedures (which remove some outer layers of skin) may require topical anesthetic or even sedation medication to alleviate discomfort during treatments.
Nonablative lasers typically produce little discomfort and quick recoveries. After treatment, your physician may suggest applying an ointment or cream to the area in order to avoid scab formation and hasten healing.