There are several reasons why your hair might be falling out. It could be due to genetic heredity or nutritional deficiency. It could be caused by feelings of stress or you could have an underlying medical condition such as thyroid issues. Whatever it may be, you find yourself in need of a solution but you have no idea where to look. And even if you do, you’re not entirely sure what the best hair loss treatment is.
Fortunately, we here at 24 Hour Doc house a team of medical professionals who are well-versed in different treatment plans. If you’re curious to learn more about what treatment is best for you, continue reading below.
What Is The Best Hair Loss Treatment For Me?
NOTE: Before we get into the right solution for you it’s important to remember that only a board-certified dermatologist will be able to pinpoint the cause of your hair loss. If you’re worried that you are losing more hair than what’s normal, contact a dermatologist so they can diagnose your condition.
Since there are different causes of hair loss, their treatments vary as well. Depending on your current health and whether the hair loss is temporary or permanent, you could look into some of the most common hair loss treatment options listed below.
Prescription Spironolactone Pills (Aldactone)
If your hair loss is due to hormonal imbalances, you can use spironolactone for your hair loss treatment. This drug binds to the androgen receptors in your body and reduces the processing of testosterone.
It should be noted that the US Food And Drug Administration has not labeled it as a treatment for alopecia. In fact, some researchers think spironolactone is not effective at all. So before you go to a pharmacy to buy these pills, speak to a doctor about its potential benefits and risks.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
PRP therapy involves drawing the patient’s blood, mixing it with certain chemicals, and injecting it back into the patient’s skin. In the case of hair loss, the blood will be injected directly into your scalp.
Many medical experts believe PRP injections can trigger hair growth and maintain the growth by boosting blood supply to the hair follicles. If you go this route, you will receive several sessions within a 4 to 6 week period. You’ll also need to receive “maintenance injections” every 4 to 6 months.
Minoxidil Topical Solution (Rogaine)
This is an over-the-counter medication that can be used to treat androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata in both men and women.
Rogaine comes in both liquid and foam form and is used to spread on the scalp every day. With its application, you might experience more hair loss after the first couple of days. But that will stop shortly after as new hair growth occurs (your new hair growth will likely be thinner and shorter than before).
Experts recommend using Rogaine for at least 6 months to prevent further hair loss and boost re-growth.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections have yielded great results as a hair loss treatment for women suffering from alopecia areata. These injections are directly administered at the affected areas on the scalp. After four weeks of injection, you might receive noticeable results. But in order to maintain your hair growth, corticosteroid injections will need to be applied every 4 to 6 weeks.
Topical and oral corticosteroids are also available but they are not as effective and can lead to severe side effects.
Topical Tretinoin (Retin-A)
If you are suffering from androgenic alopecia, Retin-A can be used in combination with minoxidil as a hair loss treatment. However, we do not recommend using this option without speaking to a doctor first.
Many patients have reported increased hair loss after using this medication.
Topical Anthralin
Anthralin is one of the safest and most effective hair loss treatments for people suffering with alopecia areata. You can apply it onto your scalp once a day. However, the duration to leave it on your scalp will depend on what your doctor recommends.
For most patients, it’s advised that topical anthralin is left on the scalp for 5-10 minutes. This medication has shown promising results in controlling the inflammation that occurs at the base of the hair follicles.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle Changes can also work as effective hair loss treatments. Some of them include:
Eating Nutrient-Rich Foods
Your hair loss can be caused by deficiencies of:
- protein
- Iron
- vitamin D
- vitamin B12
- Zinc
A blood test performed by a qualified expert can help to determine if such deficiencies are the case.
If deficiencies in the aforementioned substances are the cause, you can include foods in your diet that are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as:
- green leafy vegetables
- fruits
- Eggs
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Walnuts
- Seeds
- Whole grains.
Getting Scalp and Hair Massages
Regular scalp massages will stimulate your hair follicles, allowing your hair to grow faster and thicker. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil for this purpose. Just warm up the oil first and then massage it into your scalp gently for 4-5 minutes each day.
Quit Smoking
Studies show that there is a direct link between hair loss and smoking. So if you smoke and you’re experiencing hair loss you may want to quit the bad habit.
Looking For An Effective And Affordable Hair Loss Treatment? Contact 24 Hour Docs
At 24 Hour Docs, our team of board-certified doctors and dermatologists can help determine the cause of your hair loss and implement a treatment plan. And the best part is, you can do this from the comfort of your home! To schedule your session, call us at 877-244-6876 or contact us online.