Hair Loss Treatment
Hair loss can occur for many different reasons, such as genetics, medications, and illnesses. Both men and women can be affected. While hair loss typically affects older people, it can occur at any age. If an underlying medical condition is causing your hair loss, treating the condition may reverse it. Otherwise, there are several possible treatment options available.
Change of Hairstyle
Technically, this isn’t really a treatment option for hair loss. It doesn’t cause the hair to grow back but just minimizes the effect of the hair loss on your appearance. It may be possible to style your hair differently to hide the thinning area. It may also help to use volumizing styling products or to color your hair.
If the hair loss is extensive, you may decide to replace your hairstyle completely with a wig instead of re-styling whatever hair you have left. Wigs are made of either natural or synthetic hair, and while they can be expensive, health insurance may cover it if an underlying medical condition is the cause of the hair loss.
Laser Therapy
The long-term effects of laser therapy are not yet known, but in the short term, hair density was improved. A low-level laser device has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat both men and women for hereditary hair loss, i.e., that is caused by genetics.
Medications
Hereditary hair loss can sometimes be treated with medications. Some slow down hair loss while others cause hair to regrow. A few can accomplish both. Some hair loss medications are only for men because they affect hormones. Others, such as minoxidil, can be used by either men or women, although the instructions are different for each. As with other medications, there are risks of side effects, ranging from irritation of the scalp to increased risk of prostate cancer.
Hair Transplant Surgery
Hereditary hair loss in both men and women usually occurs on the top of the head. Transplant surgery involves taking patches of hair where it still grows plentifully. Once these grafts are harvested, the transplant takes place to sew the patches of skin with the hair into the bald spot. Eventually, once transplanted, the hair starts growing back on its own. The risks of hair transplant surgery are similar to those of other procedures. Getting the effect you want may require more than one surgery.Each of these treatment options offers its own strengths and weaknesses. Contacting and discussing your situation with a hair restoration surgeon like Dr. Robin Unger, can determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure.
