Is A Permanent Hair Loss Cure Possible
Whether its a receding hairline, noticeable bald patches at the back of the head, or a thinning head of hair youre struggling to cover with a trendy new hairstyle, you might be experiencing one of the many different types of hair loss.
In fact, some level of androgenetic alopecia is inevitable for most men as they get older. MPB is caused by a complex combination of genetic, hormonal, and age-related factors, and scientists still have a long way to go before they fully understand the mechanisms behind new hair growth and hair loss.
Researchers in this field have made progress in recent years, with new drugs, stem cell experimentation, effective hair transplants, clinical trials, and a deeper knowledge of genetics all suggesting that a permanent cure for baldness could be on the horizon. However, as hair loss is still considered more of a cosmetic issue, scientists sometimes struggle to obtain funding for their work.
In this article, weve compiled a survey of recent research into hair loss, along with a summary of the licensed hair loss treatment options that are currently available.
Is There A Hair Loss Cure For Men
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
Dealing with hair loss can be a stressful, challenging experience. Its also a very common one, especially for men in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Research indicates that up to 50 percent of men experience some form of androgenic alopecia by the time they reach 50 years of age.
Unfortunately, although some interesting developments appear to be on the horizon, theres no cure for male pattern baldness at the moment.
This means that if youre prone to hair loss, you cant take a magic pill to stop it forever .
With this said, there are several effective treatments available today that can help you stop hair loss, maintain the hair you have and, in some cases, even grow back some or all of the hair that youve lost so far.
These treatments arent miracles, and there are limits on what they can do. However, scientific studies show that they do work and that they may be a solution if youre losing your hair.
Currently, some of the most popularly used hair loss treatments are finasteride, minoxidil and topical ketoconazole shampoo, each of which targets hair loss from a slightly different angle.
Below, weve explained how these treatments work, as well as how you can use them to stop hair loss for good.
Pathology And Pathogenesis Of Fphl
The histological hallmark common to male pattern hair loss and FPHL is miniaturization of hair follicles with a progressive transformation of terminal hair follicles into vellus-like follicles. Terminal hair follicles have a shaft diameter of greater than 0.06 mm, whereas vellus-like follicles are defined as hairs with a hair shaft diameter of 0.03 mm or less and are thinner than the hairs inner root sheath. In addition, women with FPHL have more follicles in the telogen or shedding phase of the hair cycle, and fewer in the anagen or growth phase .
The pathogenesis of MPHL involves activation of hair follicle cytoplasmic androgen receptors . Both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone activate the AR, however DHT binds 5 times more avidly than testosterone and DHT is thought to be the principle androgen involved in MPHL. Testosterone is converted into DHT by 5-reductase , and DHT in turn is converted into estrogen by the cytochrome P450 enzyme aromatase . Two isoforms of 5-reductase have been identified and separated on pH optima, substrate affinity, and tissue distribution . The type 2 isoform is found in the dermal papilla of the hair follicle and inhibition of this isoenzyme with finasteride is the principle treatment for MPHL .
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What Can Cause Hair Loss
- Medications, vitamins, or minerals: medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems, depression or gout chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer patients and in some cases, unusually high levels of vitamin A or low levels of iron or protein. For women, birth control pills can cause hair loss.
- Illness, including thyroid disease and severe infection.
- Scalp conditions, including psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis.
- Trauma, including traction alopecia resulting from certain hair styles that cause trauma to the hair follicles, and trichotillomania, or repetitive pulling and breaking of ones own hair.
Homeopathic Remedies For Hair Loss
1. Fluoric acid : This medicine treats well when a person is suffering from vertex baldness, weak hair, and Idiopathic hair loss.
2. Phosphoric acid : Phosphoric acid cures the progressive thinning of hair, which has caused because of lot of stress and grief. It also stops early greying of hair.
3. Phosphorus : When you see that handful of hair comes into your hands while combing, or you are facing hair loss due to some hemorrhagic disorder, Phosphorus can help you out better. It will also cure the problem of dry and itchy scalp.
4. Graphites : This homeopathic remedy treats the troubles of hair fall, caused by menopause and constipation. Graphites cure patchy baldness and hair fall on sides.
5. Mezereum : Mezereum is also a great choice when you are losing handful of strands, and you are afflicted with itchy and dry scalp, and dandruff.
6. : Sepia treats the hair loss, which is caused by menopause or after giving birth to a child.
7. Silica : Frontal hair loss, early greying and baldness at a young age are the main symptoms that are purged with Silica.
The various other medicines to treat hair loss are Natrum mur, Psorinum, Selenium, Medorrhinum, Lachesis, Merc sol, Lycopodium, Kali carb, and Borax.
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New Treatments For Thinning Hair For Women
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After 20 years of trying every drug, supplement, diet and procedure for hair loss including driving four hours twice a week for laser therapy Lina Telford, a graphic artist, gave up on her comb over and shaved her head. From then on, she alternated between a $1,500 wig and a $4,000 wig.
When you hear people complain about having a bad hair day, you almost cant bear it, she said. Youre like, Honey, you have no idea.
In February, though, Ms. Telford, 46, flew from her home in London, Ontario, to Sarasota, Fla., for a new $1,400 hourlong treatment known as platelet rich plasma , which is said to stimulate dormant hair follicles. The procedure involves drawing blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to extract the plasma, adding various nutrients , then injecting the resulting mixture in one-inch intervals in a grid on the top of the scalp, which has been numbed with a local anesthetic.
Like the long-suffering friend who inspired her to undergo the procedure, Ms. Telford quickly saw an improvement in her hair. New hair growth usually take at least four months, but at the two-month mark, she has already spotted some baby hairs. Not a gazillion, she said, but its a start. Shes planning to return for follow-up treatments every six months, and has high hopes of ditching the wigs and wearing her hair in a pixie.
Finasteride, better known by the brand name Propecia, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for women.
Treatment Options For Androgenetic Alopecia
Melissa C. Jones, PharmD, BCPSAssistant Dean for AdmissionsSavannah, Georgia
US Pharm. 2018 43:12-16.
ABSTRACT: Androgenetic alopecia , or male pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in men. There are several therapies available for the treatment of this condition, with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and minoxidil most commonly used. Other current treatment options include laser therapy, scalp microneedling, hair mesotherapy, and hair transplantation. The development of new pharmacologic therapies has been slow however, research is currently being conducted using Janus kinase inhibitors and autologous platelet-rich plasma injections in men with AGA.
Androgenetic alopecia , or male pattern baldness, is a common condition that causes many men to seek medical attention. It is characterized by hair follicles that gradually decrease in size and lead to baldness over time. AGA affects approximately 80% of Caucasian males. Although it is common in men of different ethnic backgrounds, Caucasian males are affected more frequently.1 Traditionally, pharmacologic treatment of AGA targets decreasing dihydrotestosterone and stimulating hair follicles through the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or minoxidil however, new and experimental therapies are exploring inhibition of Janus kinase and the use of platelet-rich plasma . Other therapies include laser therapy, scalp microneedling, hair mesotherapy, and hair transplantation.1
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Whats Hair Loss In Women
Hair loss in women is just that when a woman experiences unexpected, heavy loss of hair. Generally, humans shed between 50 and 100 single hairs per day. Hair shedding is part of a natural balance some hairs fall out while others grow in. When the balance is interrupted when hair falls out and less hair grows in hair loss happens. Hair loss is different than hair shedding. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia.
Hair grows on almost all of your skin surfaces not the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, lips or eyelids. Light, fine, short hair is called vellus hair. Terminal/androgenic hair is thicker, darker and longer.
About Laser Devices For Male
Several laser devices are now available to treat hair loss at home. The FDA has cleared some. If you see FDA cleared on the packaging or within information about the laser, this means the FDA recognizes the laser as a safe treatment.
The requirements for getting FDA cleared are much less stringent than for getting FDA approved.
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How Common Is Hair Loss
Hair loss, or alopecia, is very common. Many conditions can cause it. Hair loss is divided into 2 categories:
- Scarring, which leads to permanent destruction of the hair follicle.
- Nonscarring, in which hair follicles remain intact.
The vast majority of hair loss is nonscarring. It includes such conditions as pattern baldness and telogen effluvium, or excessive hair shedding.
The majority of hair loss in both men and women is pattern baldness, also referred to as androgenetic alopecia. Both genetic and hormonal factors play a role in pattern baldness.
Another common cause of hair loss is excessive hair shedding. Common triggers for hair shedding include a major illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiency, thyroid problems, stress, and certain medications.
Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
- Price: $
Shea Moisture hair products are often touted for their powerful ingredients. The main ingredient of this shampoo is castor oil, which contains ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties.
The shampoo also contains shea butter to hydrate, soften, and protect from breakage and damage. Its ideal for chemically-treated hair and seals the hair cuticle for enhanced smoothness and shine. Peppermint stimulates and invigorates the scalp, while apple cider vinegar clarifies.
This shampoo has an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Of the 4 percent negative reviews, most customers warn against doctored, diluted products that came from fake sellers, so be careful when purchasing online.
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The Truth About Hair Loss And Baldness Cures
Hair loss, common for men and many women in midlife, can have profound emotional and psychological effects. So, too, can baldness cures advertised as magical remedies.
Theres this guy, a regular caller on my radio show, who had his head disfigured by a terrible hair transplant, says Spencer Kobren, founder and president of the American Hair Loss Association and author of The Bald Truth: The First Complete Guide to Preventing and Treating Hair Loss. He purposely became a New York City cop so he could wear a hat. And he refused promotions so he could remain a beat cop and keep wearing the hat.
Forty percent of hair loss sufferers are women, and the phenomenon can be particularly devastating for them. With men, hair loss in midlife is expected and they can still be seen as attractive, says Kobren. But for a woman, it is over.
This makes women especially vulnerable to all manner of hair loss cures, and the possibility of spending lots of money, time and emotional investment on ineffective treatments.
A lot of men are suicidal, says David Kingsley, author of The Hair Loss Cure. And it is very traumatic for women. It affects their social life and their life with their spouse or partner.
Hair loss treatment is a $3.5 billion industry as big as the over-the-counter cold and flu market. But about 99 percent of the treatments dont work at all, says Kobren.
So what triggers hair loss in midlife, what really helps and what is nothing but a gimmick?
Are Serums Or Supplements Better For Hair Growth
While serums work from the outside-in, supplements work from the inside-out. Ideally, youll be able to use both types of products at once for optimal results.
There arent yet studies that show the benefits of serums as opposed to supplements. However, in general, topical treatments tend to work quicker than oral treatments.
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Folexin What Can You Expect
Folexin is not a miracle remedy, so it will certainly take a while to show outcomes. Of course, results may vary from person to person. Some people might see great results in a few weeks while for others it can take some time for a couple of months.
Folexin should be taken two times a day and you should consistently take it in order to see results.
Common Hair Replacement Procedures: Scalp Reduction
A scalp reduction is the removal of non-hair-bearing skin from the scalp so that the remaining hair-bearing skin can be stretched to fill in the bald area of the head. Scalp reduction can reduce as much as half of the bald area. It is a procedure performed to cover bald areas on the top and back of the head and is not found to be beneficial for the frontal hairline.
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How Long Does It Take For Hair Growth Products To Start Working
Hair growth products dont work instantaneously. Most products will start to work within a few months.
Hair follicles take a few weeks to become stimulated by your product, and after that, it will take a month or two before you notice new hair growth.
While physical hair growth may take several months, most products will improve the appearance of your hairs thickness within a few weeks.
How Will A Healthcare Provider Diagnose Hair Loss In Women What Tests Are Done
The tests performed to diagnose hair loss in women can be simple or complicated:
- Gently pulling on your hair to see how many hairs come out.
- Blood tests. These check for vitamin and mineral levels and hormone levels .
- Scalp examination under a microscope and trichoscopy.
- Scalp biopsy to remove and examine a very small piece of scalp skin.
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