Hair treatment is something many men and women seek due to its positive impact on their overall appearance. It can play a major role in increasing self-confidence, particularly when one is completely bald.
What are the Causes of Baldness, and How is it Treated?
Hereditary hair loss and hair loss caused by external factors are the two primary categories into which we will divide the numerous causes of baldness.
We will dive into great detail about these two groups, as well as the available hair treatment methods.
First, Hereditary Baldness:
Hereditary baldness is a type of hair loss that affects both sexes, but it is more common in men. It occurs as a result of a decrease in the level of the male hormone testosterone.
Known as “male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia,” this kind of male baldness typically first manifests in the mid-20s; however, it can occasionally occur earlier, even in late adolescence.
Through a secondary compound that affects hair follicles with age, male genes stimulate the production of the male hormone testosterone, which can lead to hair loss.
Additionally, this compound causes hair follicles to shrink until they disappear completely and do not regrow. Therefore, the more sensitive a follicle is to this compound, the faster it dies.
As a result, men seek hair loss treatments to address increased hair loss and the potential for hereditary baldness to affect specific areas, such as the hairline, the sides of the head, or the crown area.
Conversely, baldness and hair loss in women differ from those observed in males. When a woman reaches menopause, the density of her scalp hair decreases, except at the hairline, which retains its contour without recession.
Furthermore, in women, hereditary hair loss rarely leads to complete baldness.
Secondly, Hair Loss:
- Alopecia areata.
- Scarring alopecia.
- Other skin diseases, such as psoriasis.
- Lupus.
- Thyroid problems.
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Increased levels of male hormones in men.
- Telogen effluvium.
- Malaria.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in females.
Other causes result from neglect, unintentional mistakes, or detrimental behaviors that contribute to hair loss and require treatment to stop shedding. For example:
- Malnutrition.
- Rapid weight loss.
- Using harmful materials and products such as dyes, hair straightening treatments, and bleaching agents.
- Susceptibility of the scalp to fungal and bacterial infections.
- Sometimes, exposure to saline water.
- Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder).
Under normal circumstances, approximately 90% of hair is in a continuous growth phase, with the growth cycle lasting between two and six years.
The remaining 10% of hair undergoes a dormant phase lasting two to three months before falling out.
New hair subsequently grows from the follicles, creating a new growth cycle. Hair grows at a rate of 10 to 15 millimeters per month, with this rate diminishing as age increases.
When hair loss exceeds this normal range, it becomes a problem requiring hair treatment to stop shedding.
Hair Treatment Medications:
1- Hair Loss Therapy:
There isn’t a medicine that can completely eradicate baldness at this time. Nonetheless, a few medications can lessen the chance of hair loss, including:
- Propecia: This medication has proven effective in hair loss treatment and partial baldness in some individuals. It is only available by prescription.
- El-Cranell is another type that is applied topically to the scalp. It contains hormonal substances that help stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.
2- Male Inherited Baldness Treatment:
A) Male pattern baldness was previously treated with certain medications. Initially, these medications were used to treat an enlarged prostate.
Among the side effects observed by researchers was increased hair growth on the head and body in men who took these medications.
The main idea behind these medications is to lower the body’s levels of substances that resemble testosterone. Additionally, they prevent the hair follicle from shrinking and eventually dying, which prevents it from growing new hair.
B) Minoxidil is one of the most well-known medications in this field, used for advanced stages of hair loss. However, due to its potency, it’s also used for hereditary baldness and begins to produce results quickly.
C) Finasteride is another medication that is available in tablet form and is exclusively prescribed to men following a medical evaluation; women, particularly pregnant women, should not handle broken tablets.
These tablets shrink hair follicles by preventing testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By doing this, hair loss is treated, and the follicles are returned to normal.
Alternative Hair Loss and Hereditary Baldness Therapies:
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): This technique stimulates hair growth by applying low-energy laser beams to particular body locations. It might improve outcomes and boost hair density.
- Hair Transplantation: This is the definitive treatment if all previous solutions have failed.
What are the Best Hair Loss and Baldness Treatments?
In terms of results, hair transplantation is considered the most effective treatment for baldness and hair loss. In many cases, it has achieved results that exceeded patients’ expectations, restoring the attractive appearance they had long lost.
The concept of hair transplantation differs entirely from traditional therapies and medications. Its main goal is to revitalize and repair dead hair follicles.
Surgeons implant new, healthy hair follicles into the balding area, which will gradually develop a natural appearance, resulting in the desired outcome.
If your hair loss has stabilized and stopped completely, you can contact Camilia Hair Transplant Clinic in Turkey and request a free consultation if you are considering a hair transplant.
We strongly advise against taking the risks of undergoing a hair transplant surgery if it is still falling out, as the procedure is likely to be unsuccessful and not produce the desired results.