Treatment and prevention for hair loss?

What are treatment options for hair loss?

There’s a range of treatment options for hair loss, but the best option for you will depend on what’s causing your hair loss.

Medications will likely be the first course of treatment.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications generally consist of topical creams, gels, solutions, or foams that you apply directly to the scalp. The most common products contain an ingredient called minoxidil.

Prescription medications, like finasteride (Propecia), may help, especially for male pattern baldness. You take this medication daily to slow hair loss, though some experience new hair growth when taking finasteride.

Your clinician might prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, like corticosteroids, if hair loss seems related to an autoimmune condition.

Medical procedures

If medication does not help, your healthcare professional might recommend one of the following procedures.

Hair transplant surgery

It involves moving small plugs of skin, each with a few hairs, to bald parts of your scalp.

This works well for people with inherited baldness since they typically lose hair on the top of the head. Because some hair loss can be progressive, you may need multiple procedures over time.

Scalp reduction

In a scalp reduction, a surgeon removes part of your scalp that lacks hair and closes the area with a piece of your scalp that has hair. Another option is a flap, in which your surgeon folds scalp that has hair over a bald patch.

Tissue expansion can also cover bald spots, but this requires two procedures. In the first surgery, a surgeon places a tissue expanded under a part of your scalp that has hair and is next to the bald spot. After several weeks, the expander stretches out the part of your scalp that has hair.

In the second surgery, your surgeon removes the expander and pulls the expanded area of scalp with hair over the bald spot.

How can I prevent from hair loss?

There are a few things you can do to minimize hair loss:

• Keep hairstyles loose. If you regularly style your hair into braids, buns, or ponytails, try to keep them loose so they don’t put too much pressure on your hair.
• Avoid touching your hair. As much as possible, try not to pull, twist, or rub your hair.
• Pat hair dry. After washing, use a towel to gently pat your hair dry. Avoid rubbing your hair with the towel or twisting it within the towel.
• Aim for a nutrient-rich balanced diet. Try to incorporate plenty of iron and protein into snacks and meals.

Styling products and tools are also common culprits in hair loss. Examples of products or tools that can affect hair loss include:

• blow dryers
• heated combs
• hair straighteners
• coloring products
• bleaching agents
• perms
• relaxers

If you decide to style your hair with heated tools, only do so when your hair is dry and use the lowest settings possible.

If you’re currently losing hair, use a gentle baby shampoo to wash your hair. Unless you have extremely oily hair, consider washing your hair only every other day or less.

When to see a doctor about hair loss?

It’s best to see a healthcare professional for any unexplained hair loss so they can determine the underlying cause and best course of treatment.

During your appointment, be sure to mention any other unusual symptoms you’ve noticed, including:

• fatigue
• unexplained weight loss
• limb swelling
• fever
• changes in bowel movements
• rashes or other skin changes on your scalp or body

Any information you can provide about how quickly the hair loss occurred, along with any family history of baldness, will also be helpful.