At any given time, 90% of a person’s scalp should be growing. As people age, however, this process can slow. For some people this starts younger than others.
While completely preventing the hair loss may not be possible, there are several things that can be done to slow the process down and provide some hair loss prevention.
Stop Baldness by Recognizing Hair Loss Triggers
Recognizing what is causing hair loss is one of the most important steps in hair loss prevention. Subsequently, knowing the cause also allows the best selection of hair loss treatments for one’s particular circumstances.
- Inherited hair loss: Genetics are determined before birth. Some are born with a predisposition with a sensitivity to a hormone called androgens. This sensitivity causes hair follicles to shrink. Eventually the shrinking hair follicles stop producing hair at all. While this cannot be prevented, there are still hair loss treatments that can be used to slow the process down.
- Disease: There are a number of diseases that can cause hair loss. They include lupus, syphilis, cancer, and some autoimmune diseases. Depending on the disease, hair may grow back on its own or require a hair loss treatment.
- Side effects of medications: Some medications such as blood thinners and chemotherapy cause hair loss. In this situation, hair usually grows back when the medicine is discontinued.
- Other factors: Some other less common factors that cause hair loss include stress, hormone fluctuation (such as during pregnancy and childbirth for women), and other illnesses can also contribute to hair loss.
Stop Balding with Hair Loss Treatment Drugs
There are only two prescription medications approved by the FDA for hair loss.
Rogaine® is a topical steroid that is rubbed directly onto the scalp. Only 10% -14% of those who use Rogaine actually experience hair growth from the drug. However, 90% of the time, the drug is successful in slowing hair loss.
Propecia® is a is the only pill that treats male pattern baldness. It should be used only under the care of a physician. While the pill is effective for many, as soon as its use is discontinued, the hair loss issues generally return.
Stop Hair Loss with Other Balding Treatments
Drugs are not the only hair loss treatment available. There are also a number of other topical treatments that work well for hair loss treatments.
- Hair loss shampoos and conditioners: Commercial shampoos often contain substances that can actually make hair loss worse. Finding a quality hair loss shampoo and conditioner that works to protect hair from falling out, as well as thickening existing hair, is a great solution.
- Commercial products to treat hair loss: There are a number of products in various forms that tout the benefits they offer to thinning hair. Products like vitamins, gels, and other topical treatments are on the market to stop balding. They can be found in many stores as well as online.
- Herbal remedies are a common solution for hair loss treatment. In fact, many of them are added to commercial products to enhance their effectiveness. Products like stinging nettle, ginko biloba, and pumpkin seed oil are just a few of the products that some report to be helpful. Since there have not been long term studies on many herbal remedies, thorough research is a must before trying one of these solutions.
Stop Balding with Hair Transplants
While it can be a costly endeavor, hair transplants can be a viable option for those suffering with hair loss. Finding a surgeon to perform the procedure should be done with extreme caution. There is little regulation by the government or medical association.
Hair transplants are a big business. To make sure someone receive optimal care if they choose to receive hair transplants, visit The American Hair Loss Association, where qualified surgeons are listed.
There are a variety of treatments, including drugs, commercial products, and even surgery to stop hair loss. In some cases, in order to stop baldness, it is a matter of determining what is causing it. Problems including illness and medicine side effect can contribute to hair loss.
Sources:
WebMD. "Hair Loss Cause." (accessed February 28, 2010).
WebMD. "Cosmetics Procedures for Hair Loss." (accessed February 28, 2010).
Robyn Adams - Robyn Adams is a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.A. in Journalism. She also has a M.A. in ...
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