The Initial Causes Does Rogaine Prevent Receding Hairline
The main cause of hair loss is stress. While most of us shed about 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, we also continue to grow new ones at the same rate. This shedding is normal, and its perfectly natural to replace lost hair with new ones. However, if youre losing hair that is excessively slow or isnt growing back, youre experiencing hair fall. There are many possible causes for this condition, but theres no one single solution.
Tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. Symptoms include bald spots and patches of hair loss. Infection may be caused by fungus, and scaly, red patches may develop. In severe cases, sores may develop on the scalp and oozing pus may be present. Treatment with a prescription may be necessary, but the long-term results of taking these medications are not always permanent.
In some cases, temporary hair loss may be the result of a hormonal imbalance. While some women experience hair loss due to hormonal fluctuations, others may experience permanent loss of hair. These changes can be caused by hormones in the body, such as those produced by the thyroid or by the adrenal glands. In severe cases, the loss of hair is caused by medical conditions. Inflammatory diseases can cause an excess of androgen, a male hormone. High levels of vitamin A in the blood and in the body can also result in hair thinning.
Noticeable Hair Loss In Women Can Be Deeply Distressing Here Are Some Medical Treatments That May Help
About one-third of women experience hair loss at some time in their lives among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots. Hair loss in women often has a greater impact than hair loss does on men w, because it’s less socially acceptable for them. Alopecia can severely affect a woman’s emotional well-being and quality of life.
The main type of hair loss in women is the same as it is men. It’s called androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern hair loss. In men, hair loss usually begins above the temples, and the receding hairline eventually forms a characteristic “M” shape hair at the top of the head also thins, often progressing to baldness. In women, androgenetic alopecia begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by increasing diffuse hair loss radiating from the top of the head. A woman’s hairline rarely recedes, and women rarely become bald.
There are many potential causes of hair loss in women , including medical conditions, medications, and physical or emotional stress. If you notice unusual hair loss of any kind, it’s important to see your primary care provider or a dermatologist, to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. You may also want to ask your clinician for a referral to a therapist or support group to address emotional difficulties. Hair loss in women can be frustrating, but recent years have seen an increase in resources for coping with the problem.
Will I Go Bald As I Get Older
You may go bald as you get older.
There are many factors that may be related to age and balding.
Most of these may be prevented and some of the effects may be reduced.
This occurs mostly in men, but it will occur in women as well.
Diet and exercise play an important role in age and baldness.
If you look at the list of what causes baldness in this article, youll see that hormones, diet, medication, and some genetics will cause baldness and thinning hair.
As this relates to age, once we are in our late 30s to our 40s, our bodies begin to break down in some ways chemically.
The body chemistry is nowhere near what it was in our teens and twenties.
For women, the problem can start with pregnancy and menopause, beginning with perimenopause for some people.
This is caused by the imbalance in the protective hormone, estrogen.
This doesnt happen for the same reasons in males, but androgens are affected by age as well.
The delicate balance of our systems will be thrown off by dietary changes, being sedentary, and lack of exercise.
One thing can lead to another, and the fatigue caused by weight gain and lack of movement can cause hair loss and even affect skin and nails.
Age is an inevitable process, yet each generation or two ages differently.
It also depends on our stress levels and how we learn to cope with it.
We dont have to allow stress to take us down a bad road.
It will deplete vitamin levels and throw off hormones.
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Vitamins Minerals And Other Supplements
If your blood test reveals that youre not getting enough biotin, iron, or zinc, your dermatologist may recommend taking a supplement. If youre not getting enough protein, your dermatologist can tell you how to boost your intake.
You should only take biotin, iron, or zinc when your blood test shows that you have a deficiency. If your levels are normal, taking a supplement can be harmful. For example, if you take too much iron, you can develop iron poisoning. Early signs of this include stomach pain and vomiting.
Other supplements meant to help with hair loss tend to contain a lot of one nutrient. Because this can cause you to get too much of the nutrient, many dermatologists recommend taking a multivitamin instead.
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How To Apply Minoxidil To Your Scalp
Minoxidil is designed for once-daily application, with the morning the best time to apply the liquid solution to your scalp.
Before applying minoxidil, make sure your scalp and hair are dry. Moisture can affect minoxidils absorption rate, meaning that a reduced amount of the medication could make its way into your hair follicles.
You should avoid shampooing your hair for four hours after using minoxidil. This means its often best to wash your hair and scalp before applying the treatment.
Apply the minoxidil solution to the affected areas of your scalp. If necessary, you can spread the minoxidil solution over the target area using your fingers. If you use your fingers, make sure you wash them immediately after applying the solution to your scalp.
Allow the minoxidil to dry naturally . Its best to avoid wearing hats or other garments that cover your scalp in the two to four hours after using minoxidil.
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Procedures To Help Regrow Hair
While at-home treatments offer convenience, a procedure performed by a board-certified dermatologist tends to be more effective. For this reason, your dermatologist may include one of the following in your treatment plan.
Injections of corticosteroids: To help your hair regrow, your dermatologist injects this medication into the bald areas. These injections are usually given every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, so you will need to return to your dermatologists office for treatment.
This is considered the most effective treatment for people who have a few patches of alopecia areata, a condition that causes hair loss. In one study of 127 patients with patchy alopecia areata, more than 80% who were treated with these injections had at least half of their hair regrow within 12 weeks.
Hair transplant: If you have an area of thinning or balding due to male pattern baldness, your dermatologist may mention a hair transplant as an option. This can be an effective and permanent solution.
Laser therapy: If using minoxidil every day or taking medication to treat hair loss seems unappealing to you, laser therapy may be an option. Also called low-level laser therapy, a few studies suggest that this may help:
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Hereditary hair loss
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Hair loss due to chemotherapy
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Stimulate healing and hair growth after a hair transplant
Studies indicate that laser therapy is safe and painless but requires many treatment sessions. To see a bit of hair growth, you may need several treatments a week for many months.
How To Use Minoxidil For Hair
Unless you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, minoxidil should be safe for you to use. The OG minoxidil product is Rogaine, and there are versions oriented toward women formulated with two percent and five percent of the ingredient, in both liquid and foam. Hers offers hair regrowth drops with two percent minoxidil. While both products are very similar, Hers is a tiny bit cheaper and has an overall more pleasant look. Rogaine is more widely available at pharmacies and on Amazon, while Hers must be ordered directly from the brand online.
Directions will vary depending on the product most serums are topically applied. For a product like Hers, follow these steps:
- Apply about 1 ml of product to the scalp on damp or dry hair
- Do not wash out for at least four hours
- Repeat twice a day
Since hair loss is complex and can be triggered by a number of factorsstress, changes in your hormones, recent illness, vegetarian or low protein diets, and rapid weight lossBrenda Dintiman, a Virginia-based dermatologist, advises that if youre experiencing serious hair loss, youd be wise to consult a professional. A board-certified dermatologist can sort out whats causing your hair loss and combine topical minoxidil with supplements like vitamin D and dietary recommendations to get your hair glossy, growing, and full again,” she says.
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Are There Side Effects
As with any treatment, there is always a risk of adverse effects.
Minoxidils most common side effects are dermatological . They include itching, flaking, and redness .
These reactions are usually caused by an ingredient called propylene glycol. Manufacturers use propylene glycol for liquid versions of minoxidil. The foam versions do not contain propylene glycol. Users whose skin is sensitive to liquid minoxidil can try switching to a foam version.
Other side effects are due directly to the minoxidil itself. Minoxidil can still reach the bloodstream sometimes, even though it is a topical. This can then cause symptoms in various parts of the body. They include flushing of the face and neck, headaches, light-headedness, dizziness, palpitations, and chest pain .
Even though minoxidil is over the counter, you should speak to your doctor if you have heart issues or any other medical condition. Similarly if you are on other medications that might interact with minoxidil.
Reason #: Minoxidil Use Is Somewhat Impractical
As youll quickly find out or as youve already discovered you have to plan your life AROUND Minoxidil use, rather than have the drug fit into your busy lifestyle.
There are a number of conditions you have to watch out for when applying Minoxidil to your scalp, both before and after:
Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry before applying this medicine .
Do not shampoo your hair for 4 hours after applying minoxidil.
Immediately after using this medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
Allow the minoxidil to completely dry for 2 to 4 hours after applying it, including before going to bed. Minoxidil can stain clothing, hats, or bed linen if your hair or scalp is not fully dry after using the medicine.
And good luck if you want to go swimming soon after taking Minoxidil. To avoid getting your hair wet, youll likely have to wear a swim cap in order to take full advantage of Minoxidils effect on your scalp.
So far the trade-off doesnt appear to be worth it!
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What Questions Might Your Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose And Categorize Your Hair Loss
Your healthcare provider might ask about your habits:
- What kinds of hair products do you use?
- What kinds of hair styles do you wear?
- What types of food do you eat ?
- Do you have a habit of pulling your hair out ?
They might ask about your history:
- Has anyone in your immediate family experienced hair loss?
- Is there anything stressful going on in your life?
- What medications and supplements do you take every day?
- Has hair loss ever happened to you before?
- What foods are in your diet?
And, they might ask about your observations:
- How long have you been losing hair?
- Have you been shedding more?
- Have you noticed hair loss in places other than your scalp, like your eyebrows? Leg and arm hair?
- Does anything worsen your hair loss?
- Does anything improve your hair loss?
- Have you noticed hair loss occasionally or has it been going on continuously?
- Have you noticed if your hair growth has changed?
- Has your hair been breaking more often?
Minoxidil Vs Finasteride Dosage
Minoxidil and finasteride come in very different dosage forms. To get the best results from either medication , its important to use it at the recommended dosage.
A normal dosage of minoxidil is 1ml of liquid solution applied directly to the scalp two times per day, typically morning and night. Our guide to applying minoxidil explains how you should use this medication for optimal results.
A normal dosage of finasteride for male pattern baldness is 1mg per day, either with or without food.
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How Well Does Minoxidil Work
Minoxidil is particularly effective in younger men and men in the early stages of male pattern baldness or hair thinning.
So, if you have recently noticed your hair starting to recede or getting thin on top, then you should definitely consider Minoxidil as your primary treatment.
If youre a guy in your twenties or thirties and your father or uncle suffers from male pattern baldness, the hair loss odds are stacked against you. In this case, minoxidil is a great preventative treatment. The sooner you act, the better!
Minoxidil 5% solution is the most common treatment for men. Scientific studies have shown that solutions stronger than 5% are not any more effective.
We always recommend chatting to a hair loss specialist first to ensure the best possible diagnosis and the optimal treatment for your specific needs.
Need Help Figuring Out Which Treatment Is Right For You
You can make your life easier by filling out a quick questionnaire for one of Keeps expert doctors to review. Once thats submitted, the doctor will follow up with a recommended treatment plan and next steps.
The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided in this article for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
Finasteride is an oral medication used to treat male pattern baldness in men only. It is not for use by women. When used by men, finasteride is generally safe but it can also cause serious side effects, including but not limited to allergic reactions, sexual dysfunction, depression, and high-grade prostate cancer. Most patients find that problems with sexual function resolve when they stop taking the medicine. For full prescribing information, view the drug label information.
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