The History Of Hair Loss
There was a time when hair loss was thought to be caused by an abundance of testosterone, the male sex hormone. However, the real culprit is a derivative of testosterone, called dihydrotestosterone or DHT.
DHT-sensitive hair follicles will shrink and have a reduced lifespan. Over time, the follicles will stop producing hair altogether. When this happens, remaining hair falls out and pattern baldness develops.
Genetics play a major role in whether a man or woman will go bald or lose their hair, so there's not much you can do about it, aside from adopting treatment options when it starts.
Symptoms Of Hair Loss
Hair loss symptoms begin with a receding hairline and a thinning of the hair on the crown of the head. Over time, the entire scalp will be affected. The remaining hair will form a horseshoe pattern. Women who suffer from androgenic alopecia tend to experience an overall thinning of hair instead of the male-pattern baldness.
The Types Of Treatment Options Available
There are many different types of hair loss treatment options out there, fortunately. And, if you need Hair Loss Help, you should speak to a professional.
But, in general, there several on the market right now that show promise:
● Minoxidil
● Propecia
● Essential Oils
● Transplantation
● Anthralin
Minoxidil is an over-the-counter hair loss treatment. It's massaged into the scalp twice daily to stimulate hair growth. It may also minimize hair loss. New hair tends to be shorter and thinner than your original hair, however. This is an option that you could consider if hair loss is just starting and you want to minimize the effects of it or if you think you only need minimal prevention and regrowth to be satisfied.
Propecia is the brand name for Finasteride, a prescription-only oral medication that's used to treat male-pattern baldness. It's only approved for males, not females and may slow the rate of hair loss. It could also encourage new hair growth.
Essential oils are another treatment option you could consider, According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, massaging rosemary, peppermint, and sage oils into your scalp daily may promote new hair growth with minimal or no side effects.
Hair transplantation is a medical procedure that involved transplanting hair from one part of your body to another. These procedures almost always require a transplant from another side of the head where hair growth is unaffected.
Anthralin is sold under the brand name Dritho-Scalp, and is only available as a prescription ointment or cream. It's intended to help reduce hair loss, but may not stimulate new growth.
Side Effects You Might Experience
All medications have side effects.
Minoxidil, for example, can be irritating to the scalp. So can anthralin.
In some cases, Propecia has been known to cause low libido and impair sexual function. Even some essential oils are volatile and should not be mixed together. For example, jojoba and grapeseed oil should not be used as carrier oils when applying peppermint, rosemary, or sage oil to the head.
Sometimes, hair transplants can be painful and may leave you with an unnatural and patchy look. And, because it is surgery, there is the risk of infection and excessive bleeding.
Time Frame For treatment Options To Work
For medications like Minoxidil and Anthralin, it can take up to 12 weeks before you notice any results. So, you have to be patient. With Propecia, you could be waiting several months. Ditto with essential oils. And, with hair transplant surgery, it could take 6 to 8 months before new hair starts to grow.
None of this should discourage you though. For all hair loss treatments, it takes time for the body to adjust and start producing more hair. In cases where hair-loss can only be slowed, you still have options like synthetic hair or shaving your head and embracing the new you.
At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with the choices you make, and patient with whatever treatment option you choose. You should consult with your doctor and, if possible, get a second opinion about your treatment.
Dennis Miles works in the frontline of men's health. He has personally checked out the various options relating to hair-loss solutions and likes to share what he knows with others online. You can find other articles by Dennis on a variety of relevant websites.
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Source: Hair Loss Hope: Unlocking the Mysteries of Androgenic Alopecia
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