Prevent Hair Loss by Treating It Right

Hair renewal is a process that entails losing between 50 and 100 strands of hair each day. This is a natural occurrence that allows the growth of new and healthy hair. If the number of lost hair significantly exceeds that range, then something is wrong. There are different factors that cause excessive hair loss. After the cause of one’s hair loss is correctly identified, the proper treatment to prevent hair loss is then chosen.

Causes of Hair Loss

There are different reasons for loss of hair. Some are temporary, while others are permanent. Some of the more common reasons for hair fallout are:

• Hormonal changes
• Childbirth
• Birth control pills
• Major surgery/chronic illness
• Alopecia Areata
• Fungus Infection (Ringworm) of the scalp
• Stress
• Trichotillomania or Hair Pulling
• Hair Styling Treatments
• Hair Braids/Weaves

Treatments that prevent hair loss are available in different types. There are medications, surgical methods and wigs.

Medications

Medications that have been proven to cure and prevent hair loss include minoxidil and finasteride. Both of these treatments have been approved by the FDA. Other hair loss medications include corticosteroids and anthralin.

• Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication that has been approved to be efficient in treating hair loss. This treatment is used by rubbing the solution into the scalp twice daily to help hair grow back and stop further loss.
  
• Finasteride is a prescription medication that has also been approved by the FDA to treat male pattern baldness and prevent hair loss. Available in pill form, it slows the fallout of hair and allows new hair to grow. It works by stopping testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone that shrinks the folicles of hair and contributes significantly to male hair loss.
  
• Corticosteroids also prevent hair loss. Cortisone is injected into the scalp to treat alopecia areata. Treatment is done monthly. Corticosteroid pills are prescribed for extensive loss of hair caused by alopecia areata.
  
• Anthralin is another treatment that can prevent hair loss. It is available in two forms: cream and ointment. Anthralin is a synthetic, tarry substance applied daily on the scalp and washed off. It is said to encourage the new growth of hair for those with alopecia areata.

Surgical Procedures

When more traditional methods are not effective in treating androgenetic alopecia, surgical methods are used instead. Surgical techniques include hair transplants and scalp reduction surgery.

• Hair transplantation entails taking tiny plugs of skin that contains one to several hairs from the back or side of the scalp. Afterward, the plugs are implanted into the bald areas of the head. Several sessions of hair transplantation may be required since hereditary loss of hair develops with time.
  
• Scalp reduction involves decreasing the area of hairless skin on the head. This is done by surgically removing the hairless scalp, and closing it with hair-covered scalp. The procedure of scalp reduction may be done together with hair transplantation to create a natural-looking hairline for people with excessive loss of hair.

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