Unexpected hair loss and hair thinning are experiences that can greatly impact an individual’s self esteem. Today, product manufacturers have formulated a wide variety of treatments for hair loss and hair thinning that promise amazing hair re-growth results. However, only a handful of these treatments for hair loss and hair thinning are scientifically proven, via FDA clinical trials, to re-grow the hair. This article will discuss 3 scientifically proven treatments for hair loss and hair thinning, and present a 4th that has potential to treat hair loss and hair thinning from an alternative medicine standpoint.
Note Regarding Treatments for Hair loss and Hair thinning
The causes of your hair loss and/or hair thinning should be thoroughly investigated by a licensed dermatologist for an official diagnosis. Though some scientifically proven treatments for hair loss and hair thinning are available over the counter without a prescription, a proper diagnosis should always be sought from an experienced practitioner about hair loss and hair thinning treatments. Your dermatologist will be able to suggest appropriate treatments for hair loss and hair thinning that are suitable for your situation.
Causes of Hair Loss and Hair Thinning
Almost 50% of all men will experience some form of male pattern hair loss or significant hair thinning by age 50. Like their male counterparts, women also struggle with hair loss and hair thinning. Statistics hold that nearly 30 million women in the United States alone suffer from some form of hair loss or hair thinning. Luckily, advances in scientific research have provided us with several scientifically proven treatments for hair loss and hair thinning.
Researchers believe that hormones and genetics are the two major causes of hair loss and hair thinning in both men and women. Unfortunately, despite advances in our understanding of hair loss and hair thinning, the loss of hair density or “balding” is still largely misunderstood. The problem is especially confounding for female sufferers of hair loss and hair thinning. Balding in men is typically brought on by age and genetic predisposition; however, baldness and hair thinning can affect women at almost any point in life without any particular regard to heredity.
Scientifically Proven Treatments for Hair Loss and Thinning
Finasteride:
Finasteride is a scientifically proven treatment for hair loss and thinning, and is the active ingredient in Propecia®. Finasteride is very similar to Minoxidil, and is used to treat male pattern hair loss. Hair loss and hair thinning generally return after 6-12 months after discontinuing Finasteride. Finasteride works best on forms of hair loss and hair thinning that occur in the crown and frontal hairline regions of the scalp. To date, Finasteride/Propecia® has not been proven to be as effective in women as a treatment for hair loss and hair thinning- though it is often prescribed for women in some cases. Products containing Finasteride should never be used or handled by pregnant women, or those who are planning to become pregnant, as Finasteride has been known to cause birth defects in developing male fetuses. Hair loss and hair thinning treatments containing Finasteride are best for women who are beyond childbearing age.
Minoxidil:
Minoxidil is perhaps the most well-known, scientifically proven treatment for hair loss and hair thinning, and it is the active ingredient in Rogaine® (Regaine® non-U.S.). Hair loss and hair thinning treatments containing Minoxidil take 3-4 months of regular use on the affected areas of scalp before any hair re-growth results show. Minoxidil has even been shown to grow hair in the ears and in other unintended places! Unfortunately, like most other scientifically proven treatments for hair loss and hair thinning, all newly re-grown hair with Minoxidil falls out once the medication is stopped. Finally, hair loss and thinning treatments containing Minoxidil have also been shown to actually cause hair loss in some individuals. It is not guaranteed that this hair loss will be replaced by new hair while continuing to use Minoxidil. Do proceed with caution.
Cortisone Injections:
Cortisone injections are scientifically proven hair loss and thinning treatments that are injected directly into the scalp tissue at the place of hair loss or thinning. These scalp injections are especially recommended for hair loss and hair thinning caused by autoimmune diseases such as lupus or alopecia areata. Unfortunately, any new hair that is grown through the scalp injection treatment is lost once treatment ends. These cortisone treatments can also be administered in pill or topical ointment forms, but the best results typically come from the injection treatments.
Essential Oils:
Though not officially considered scientific treatments for hair loss and hair thinning, promising studies have been conducted on the validity of essential oils as effective treatments for hair loss. Many essential oils have stimulating effects on the hair follicles and skin. When massaged on the scalp, oils such as peppermint oil, rosemary, and thyme work wonderfully as therapies to stimulate and encourage healthy blood flow to the hair follicles in the region. If the hair follicles have not shrunken or “died” completely and are still capable of producing hair, this flow of nutrients to parched scalp areas can trigger hair re-growth in many cases.
Though each of the scientifically proven treatments for hair loss and hair thinning described in this article is a potentially promising hair re-growth therapy, none of the treatments can be called a permanent solution to hair loss or hair thinning. Each treatment for hair loss must be used diligently over a given period of time before initial growth results materialize, and even then once re-growth has occurred, each hair loss and thinning treatment must be continued indefinitely in order to maintain results. As of this writing, science has simply not provided us with a viable, permanent scientifically proven solution or treatment for hair loss or hair thinning problems.
References:
Minoxidil (Topical Route):
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601937
Propecia: GENERIC NAME: FINASTERIDE – ORAL (HAIR GROWTH):
http://www.medicinenet.com/finasteride-oral_hair_growth/article.htm
Understanding Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL):http://www.propecia.com/finasteride/propecia/consumer/understanding-mphl/
Immune system responsible for some types of hair loss:
http://www.examiner.net/health/x1194157181/Immune-system-responsible-for-some-types-of-hair-loss
