Let’s face it, we’ve all had a stressful couple of years. If you’re finding more and more of your hair catching in the shower drain, you’re far from alone. Many doctors have noted a sharp rise in stress-related hair loss over recent months. Don’t assume though that you’re now condemned to wearing a baseball cap, wig, or weave for the rest of your life. There are great treatments on the market that can help you grow back your luscious locks. Let’s take a closer look at 7 options for men and women so you can find the best hair loss treatment for you.
1. Minoxidil
Ever heard of Rogaine? No, it’s not a weed killer, it’s an effective minoxidil-based hair loss treatment. It’s also marketed as Theroxidil, its generic name. It’s for topical application, and you either apply it as a liquid or a foam. Two strengths – 2% and 5% – are available.
It’s effective for about 2/3 of men. It’s also an effective treatment for hair loss in women. It’s not an overnight cure – you put it on daily, and it can take months to see any progress.
It can stop hair from falling out, and for some people it causes hair to begin to grow again. But it’s important to know that once you start, you can’t stop. If you do, your hair loss will start again.
2. Finasteride
Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. It is caused by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride works by preventing your body from making dihydrotestosterone.
You take finasteride as a pill. It’s very effective – it will stop further hair loss in about 90% of men.
A study has reviewed the effectiveness of finasteride in female pattern hair loss. The study showed that it may be an effective treatment. Currently, the standard medical treatment for hair loss in women is minoxidil.
3. Minoxidil + Finasteride
Some treatments, such as Keeps, combine the best of both treatments. They provide a finasteride pill that targets your receding hairline. They complement this with a minoxidil foam which treats thinning at the crown. Currently, this dual-action treatment is only recommended for men.
4. Scalp Oil and Hair Loss Shampoo
Are you looking for a hair loss treatment that’s as easy as shampooing your hair every day? Well, thankfully there is now a huge range of hair loss shampoo products on the market that claim to make it that simple!
It’s important to point out that these shampoos do not treat female or male pattern baldness. If you’re struggling with those issues, talk to a dermatologist to find the best hair loss treatment for your condition.
Using a pre-shampoo scalp oil can help to get your scalp into the best possible condition. It can open the follicles, increase blood circulation, and encourage cells to rejuvenate.
Follow this up with a shampoo that aims to reduce hair loss by strengthening hair. This can combat breakage, which leads to hair losing its thickness.
5. Hair Transplant Surgery
As the name suggests, hair transplant surgery moves hair from one place to another. It takes hair that you already have and moves it to an area where hair has stopped growing. There are two main forms of hair transplant surgery.
Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS)
Under local anesthetic, the doctor will remove a strip of scalp from the back of the head. The gap will be closed up, leaving a very faint scar. Hair will hide this scar from view.
The strip is then carefully broken down into individual grafts. The doctor will then implant the grafts into small incisions in the scalp. They are arranged to imitate the pattern of natural hair.
The area will form scabs and the hair will naturally fall out. Then it will regrow, and continue to do so in a natural way.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
The FUE method is similar. However, instead of taking a strip of follicles, it takes individual follicles and transplants them into your scalp.
The hair usually grows back fully in 3 to 4 months. Both of these treatments are suitable for men and women.
6. Laser Therapy for Hair Loss
We might usually associate lasers with hair removal, not hair regrowth!
But recent studies have shown that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the scalp could be a possible option. Trials on mice have shown it to be safe and effective.
This could be a good option for hair loss in men and women. That’s because the low-intensity light stimulates activity at the cellular level. This can lead to tissue repair and regeneration.
LLLT seems to work in a similar way to minoxidil. Laser combs are now available that harness this technology. They are safe to use for both men and women.
The jury is still out on how effective they are though.
7. Hair Loss Supplements
It is possible that your hair loss is related to a vitamin deficiency. It’s good to talk to your doctor or dermatologist for their recommendations before starting to take supplements.
Biotin, or vitamin B7, is a popular supplement for hair loss. It’s important for cell health, and you can get it from egg yolks, whole grains, and meat. Supplements are also available if you are deficient in this.
Iron is also important for oxygenating the blood properly. Lack of iron can lead to anemia, which can cause hair loss. Vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are also helpful for cell health.
Get the Best Hair Loss Treatment on the Market
The best hair loss treatment for you may be a combination of two or more of the above. Talk to a dermatologist first. He or she will help you identify the cause of your hair loss, so you can choose the right treatment for you.
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