Hair Loss Treatment

Hair loss can be treated in various ways, such as with medication, transplant surgery, and laser therapy. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), effective treatment for hair loss begins with finding the root cause. Dermatologists usually have the experience and training needed to identify the underlying cause of hair loss.

During your initial appointment, your dermatologist will usually ask you a series of questions to learn more about your hair loss, such as when it started and the rate at which your hair fell out. Then, your dermatologist will perform a physical exam that involves inspecting your scalp, nails, and other areas affected by hair loss, says the AAD. Your dermatologist may also test the health of your hair, such as by pulling on it gently to see how easily it breaks.

In some instances, your dermatologist may perform a blood test or biopsy to confirm or rule out conditions causing your hair loss. For example, hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, and infections are potential root causes of hair loss, reports the AAD. After identifying the cause of your hair loss, your dermatologist can discuss your available treatment options.

According to the AAD, hair loss can be treated either at home or at your dermatologist’s office based on your chosen method. Some hair loss treatments may work better for you than for others. You may need to try multiple treatments before finding the one that works best for you.

Medication

Finasteride and spironolactone are common medications used to treat hair loss.

Finasteride is a hair loss treatment for men, says the AAD. It can slow down hair loss and stimulate the growth of new hair. It comes as a pill taken once a day and produces results after about four months.

Spironolactone is a hair loss treatment for women that can stop further hair loss and increase hair thickness. The AAD adds that this medication is effective in approximately 40% of women who take it to treat female-pattern hair loss.

Your dermatologist can talk to you about other medications approved for treating thinning hair in men and women.

Hair transplant surgery

During hair transplant surgery, hairs get moved from an area of thick growth to bald areas, reports the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

First, local anesthesia is used to numb the area of your scalp to be treated. Then, your dermatologist or skin care doctor will make a series of tiny cuts in balding areas where hairs will be transplanted. Healthy hairs taken from other areas will be carefully placed inside each of these cuts.

According to the NIH, hair transplant surgery is usually a permanent solution for hair loss.

Laser therapy

Low-level laser therapy can help stimulate hair regrowth, says the AAD. It may be used to treat hereditary hair loss or hair loss that has occurred due to cancer treatments like chemotherapy. The AAD adds that laser therapy for hair loss is safe and painless, though you may need several treatments over several months to see results.

Hair loss can sometimes be caused by certain lifestyle behaviors. Poor diet, chronic stress, drug use, and certain hairstyles are some of many factors that can cause hair loss, reports the NIH. Modifying lifestyle behaviors that contribute to hair loss may prevent you from losing additional hair and may even promote hair regrowth.

Lifestyle changes that may treat hair loss, according to the AAD and NIH, include:

• Changing your hairstyle, such as avoiding tight ponytails that cause hair to break.
• Taking nutritional supplements that support hair growth, such as zinc, biotin, and iron.
• Shampooing hair less often.
• Allowing hair to air-dry, as opposed to using a hairdryer.
• Stopping hair-pulling when nervous.
• Wearing wigs, hair weaves, or hairpieces.
• Losing excess weight.