Hair Loss & Available Drug Treatments, Do They Really Work?

Contrary to popular belief, hair loss is quite normal. In fact, every single one of us loses hair to one extent or another over time. That said, it's one thing to gradually lose small amounts of hair spread evenly over the head, but it's something else entirely to develop bald spots or suffer extensive thinning.

As for the causes of hair loss, the number one contributing factor is, of course, the ageing process. And as there is very little that can be done to stop or reverse the ageing process, attempting to do so isn't particularly helpful. Likewise, genetics also play a big role in determining who will and will not lose their hair and to what extent, along with a variety of diseases and additional causes for which there is no specific explanation.

Miracle Products?

One of the biggest problems is the fact that as hair loss is such a common and widespread issue, thousands of brands and manufacturers have set out to capitalise on it. The result of which has been a gradual increase in the availability of all manner of products and treatments over the years, ranging from simple vitamin supplements to overpriced shampoos and conditioners.  The only problem being that in approximately 99.9% of cases, all such products make the kinds of promises they simply cannot fulfil.

The simple fact of the matter is that just about anything you pick up without prescription from a standard store or pharmacy just isn't going to have the intended effect. Extensive scientific research has shown that while there are plenty of products that can strengthen the hair and improve its health so as to reduce falling/breakage to a certain extent, there are no conventional products available that can actually stop or reverse hair loss.

Instead, those looking to make a real difference are advised to speak to their doctors, who may be able to point them in the direction of the kind of prescription medication that can in fact prove helpful.

Cause and Effect

One very serious yet very common mistake made by those looking to treat hair loss without professional assistance is that they fail to first consider the cause.  The problem being that it isn't until you isolate the cause of the hair loss (assuming there is one) that you can set about the appropriate course of treatment. For example, in some instances there may be underlying diseases or perhaps some degree of hormonal imbalance accelerating hair loss. In others, the very lifestyle choices and the overall health of the individual may be to blame. Or it could simply be that decades of overly aggressive hair styling and treatments have taken their toll and brought about extensive thinning or falling.

In any case, you cannot realistically expect to effectively treat the problem, without first understanding it. This, combined with the fact that certain prescription medication has been extensively documented as the only realistic treatment for thousands of cases of hair loss means that the advice of a doctor should be considered mandatory.

It could be that little more than a few lifestyle changes need to be made, in order to bring things under control. It could also be that the professional advisors prescribe a course of propecia, which is recognised globally as the single most effective (and often the only effective) prescription medication for hair loss.  Also known as finasteride, this treatment is suitable for men with a genetic history of hair loss and is most effective when the course of treatment is started as early as possible.

While it's not as if any medication is suddenly going to result in massive regrowth of hair overnight, the right treatment at the right time can make a significant difference.

The Surgical Option

Of course, there are always various examples of surgical procedures, which can be carried out to physically transplant hair from one area of the head to another.  Once again, such treatments do not necessarily result in the miraculous regrowth of hair, but can nonetheless redistribute the hair that remains on the head in a surprisingly effective way. Speaking to a doctor or healthcare professional can help clarify the options available, for anyone considering going down the surgical intervention path.

In all instances though, the most important thing to remember is that in almost every case of hair loss, there are various ways and means by which the problem can be brought under control. Even if it cannot necessarily be reversed spectacularly, it may always be possible to prevent things getting any worse than they already are.

Source: Hair Loss & Available Drug Treatments, Do They Really Work?