Disease, Illness and Condition Library


    Treatments for Baldness

    Baldness typically can’t be cured, but a number of assorted
    treatments are available to help promote hair growth or hide
    hair loss.

    Medications

    The success of medications depends on the cause of hair loss, the extent of
    the loss and your response to the drugs. Generally, treatment is less effective
    for more extensive hair loss. Medications approved by the Food and drug
    Administration fro treatment of hair loss include:

    Minoxidil: Available over the counter, minoxidil (APO-Gain, Rogaine) is a liquid
    that you rub into your scalp twice daily to help regrow hair and prevent further
    hair loss. About 25% of men and 20% of women experience some hair regrowth
    with regular strength minoxidil. A nonprescription extra strength version of
    minoxidil is approved for use by men only.

    When using this medication, your new hair often grows in thinner and lighter in
    color but in enough quantity to hide bald spots. New hair stops growing soon
    after you discontinue use of minoxidil. If you don’t experience significant results
    within 6 months, your doctor may advise you to discontinue using it. Side effects
    of minoxidil use can include dryness and scalp irritation.

    Finasteride: Finasteride (Propecia) is the only approved treatment for male
    pattern baldness that comes in pill form. Like minoxidil, results may take several
    months. If you don’t experience results within 12 months, your doctor may
    advocate that you discontinue use.

    Finasteride is a prescription medication that works by inhibiting the conversion
    of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair
    follicles and is a significant factor in male pattern hair loss. In clinical trials, more
    than 80% of men taking finasteride experienced a slowing of hair loss, and more
    than 60% showed some new hair growth. Rare side effects include diminished
    sex drive and sexual function. As with minoxidil, benefits stop if usage is
    discontinued.

    Finasteride hasn’t been shown effective for women. In fact, it poses significant
    danger to women of childbearing age. Pregnant women shouldn’t even handle
    crushed or broken finasteride tablets because absorption of the drug may
    cause serious birth defects in male fetuses. No side effects have been
    observed in women as a consequence of their partner’s use of finasteride.

    Cortisone: If you experience sudden hair loss (alopecia areata), injections of
    cortisone into the scalp may help stimulate the hair follicles to grow new hair.
    Treatment may be repeated. For extensive hair loss due to alopecia areata,
    oral cortisone medication is sometimes prescribed.

    Anthralin: Available as a prescription cream or ointment, Anthralin (Drithocreme,
    Dritho-Scalp) is a synthetic, tarry substance that you apply to your scalp and
    wash off daily. It’s typically used to treat psoriasis, but doctors sometimes
    prescribe it to treat other skin conditions. Anthralin creates mild irritation of the
    skin, which may stimulate new hair growth for mild cases of sudden hair loss.

    Surgery

    Surgical treatments for hair loss are generally expensive and aren’t covered
    under most insurance plans because they’re cosmetic. They can be painful and
    carry a slight risk of infection. A very small percentage of people experience
    persistent (chronic) head pain afterward.

    The following techniques are most often used in people with pattern baldness.

    Hair transplants: During a hair transplant, a dermatologist or surgeon takes
    tiny grafts of skin from the back or side of your scalp and implants them into
    the bald sections. Using (micrografts) containing only one or two hairs takes
    longer, but this approach can result in a more natural looking hairline. Several
    surgeries may be needed. The transplanted hair may fall out within the first few
    weeks, but it grows back about 3 months later. Additional transplants may be
    needed as the bald area becomes larger with age.

    Scalp reduction: As its name implies, scalp reduction means decreasing the
    area of bald skin on your head. Your scalp and skull may seem to have a snug
    fit, but the skin can be stretched enough for some of it to be surgically removed.
    The areas with hair are pulled more closely together, decreasing the area of
    baldness.

    Flap surgery: Doctors can fold hair bearing skin over an area of bald skin.
    The surgeon makes cuts in a section of hair near the balding area, creating
    a flap of skin with hair, and then rotates the flap into the balding section.

    Flap or scalp reduction surgery can be combined with hair transplantation to
    fashion a natural looking hairline. Flap or scalp reduction surgery might also
    be used in combination with medications.

    Source: Mayo Clinic Family Health

    Helpful Products for Stimulating Hair Growth
Purchase Remedies
Home
Library Index
Additional Library
Resources