Conventional Treatment For Hair Loss
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT
• Medical treatment of hair loss first requires identification of any underlying cause. Careful medical evaluation may uncover a treatable problem that can mean a return of hair growth. Among the disorders that should be ruled out are hypothyroidism, parasitic infestation, protein deficiency, mineral deficiency, hormonal changes, ringworm, side effects of drugs, and stress. Sometimes hair loss can be a delayed reaction to one or more of these factors, coming as much as several months afterward, so your doctor should thoroughly review your recent history with you. A scalp biopsy may also be performed to track down the cause of the problem. If an underlying medical problem is identified, it will be treated accordingly.
• Scarring types of alopecia mayor may not be reversible, depending on the extent of damage to the hair follicles. Once true scarring has occurred, hair loss cannot be reversed; however, if an infection is treated early, some or all follicular activity may return. Provillus hair re-growth treatment is one of the most effective natural hair loss remedies, which does not only stop hair loss in a natural way, but also stimulates hair re-growth.
• Most of the medical treatments for hair loss are designed to address male pattern baldness. The drug minoxidil (Rogaine), originally a blood-pressure regulator, was found to cause hair growth as a side effect (often undesirable) in certain individuals, and so was adapted for topical use to treat male pattern baldness. Unfortunately, it rarely results in a significant regrowth of hair, and it must be used on an ongoing basis.
• The latest drug therapy for male pattern baldness is finasteride (Propecia). This is actually the same drug marketed under the brand name Proscar and used for benign prostate enlargement, but at a lower dosage. The drug converts dihydrotestosterone, a strongly androgenic (masculinizing) hormone, into testosterone, which is somewhat less androgenic. This reduces the hormonal contribution to hair loss. Reports of hair growth with this drug have been less than spectacular, but the effect varies from person to person. Possible side effects include decreased sex drive, rash, and breast tenderness. Finasteride is not suitable for use by women. In fact, women who are pregnant, or who may become pregnant, should not even touch a broken tablet, as this can lead to malformation of sex organs in a developing male fetus.
• If the blood flow to the scalp is still good, hair transplants may be a rewarding solution for male pattern baldness. In this technique, plugs of healthy hair are taken from areas of prominent growth, such as the back of the neck, and “punched” into the scalp areas with poor hair growth. Results vary, but the technique is continually being improved. If you are interested in trying this, seek the advice of an experienced specialist. The results of transplantation tend to be disappointing in cases of scarring alopecia, as the scar tissue can be thick enough to considerably diminish the flow of blood to the surface of the scalp.
• Hair loss that occurs in response to physical stress such as treatment with cancer chemotherapy drugs is usually temporary; the hair starts to grow back once the stress is removed.
• Alopecia areata may be treated with steroids, either injected into the bald patches or applied topically. Results vary. In some cases, the application of skin irritants, such as dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or squaric acid dibutyl ester, to the affected sites can cause the body to start growing hair again. As with the use of steroids, the results are highly variable, and long-term safety considerations are unknown. In general, the earlier the condition starts, the longer the episodes, and the larger the area affected, the more severe and resistant to treatment it is likely to be.
