Normal hair loss is a common occurrence. At any given time,
approximately 10% of your hair is dormant and susceptible to normal
shedding. The problem is when the shedding is excessive. It is when
thinning hair becomes obvious that most people become concerned with
hair restoration options.
Some of the reasons of abnormal hair loss may include:
+ Health concerns such as major illness, fungal infections, hypo or hyper thyroidism, and hormone imbalances;
+ Reaction to medications used to treat cancer, diabetes, lupus, gout, birth control, and anti-depressants;
+ Improper hair care, including excessive use of chemicals and blow-drying;
+ Genetics;
+ Poor diet, including too much fried and fatty foods, a lack of fruits or green vegetables, and dehydration.
What are the options?
While an estimated 95% of all excessive hair loss is generic, there is
a chance a family doctor or a professional hairstylist can provide the
quickest and least expense answer to hair restoration. A medical doctor
can do a full physical, do the appropriate blood work, and review
medications and diet. He can recommend changes that may help with hair
regrowth. The hairstylist can look at the condition of the hair and
work up a hair care routine that may correct the damage. This routine
may include hot oil treatments, scalp massage, and a change of
conditioner and shampoo. The stylist may also recommend a haircut to
reduce the appearance of thinning hair.
In the event the doctor or hairstylist is unable to assist in reducing
the hair loss back to normal levels, topical minoxidil, marketed as
Rogaine, was the first FDA approved method of regrowing hair. To be
effective, minoxidil is applied to the scalp twice a day. It works best
for those who are young and have only recently begun to experience
abnormal hair loss, according to Pharmacia & Upjohn. Skeptics
question whether the product actually promotes as much new growth as it
does reduce the amount of loss.
Also available to sufferers of hair loss is the FDA-approved
finasteride, which is marketed as Propecia. Propecia works best on male
pattern baldness. Not only has it been proven to restore hair growth,
it also improves the thickness and strength of each hair strand.
Often, Propecia, Rogaine, or a combination of both is used in
conjunction with hair transplants to optimize the hair restoration
process. The process of hair transplants involves removing hair from
the densely covered areas of the head and, using a needle, implant
those hairs to the thinning section of the head.
Those suffering from male-pattern baldness may also choose a scalp
reduction. A scalp reduction is the surgical process of removing large
sections of the bald scalp, then the skin from the densely haired
sections of the head are stretched to replace the area of scalp that is
removed.
If medications and surgery seem too extreme, those suffering from
abnormal hair loss still have the option of wearing a hairpiece. While
no two toupees, or hairpieces, are created equally, a toupee can look
natural. Many who opt for the hairpiece option join a "hair club,"
which offer members service that will keep their hairpieces cleaned,
colored, and offering the optimal fit.
Remember, all medications and surgical procedures involve a certain
amount of risk, and no hair restoration solution is guaranteed to work.
Before agreeing to a hair restoration regime, consult with a doctor and
know your risks.
Making the right hair restoration decision
Deciding whether hair restoration is right for you is a personal
decision. Some people are more concerned than others with hair loss.
Deciding which hair restoration method will work best for you is
something to discuss with a doctor who specializes in treating hair
loss. Many issues such as health, habits, budget, and tolerance to pain
will need to be considered before creating a plan of action.
