Hair Loss treatments.

The best results from treatment happen when you begin treatment as soon as possible after the hair loss begins because prolonged androgenetic alopecia may destroy many of the hair follicles. The use of anti-androgens after prolonged hair loss will at least help prevent further hair loss and encourage some hair regrowth from those follicles that have been dormant but are still viable, stopping treatment will result in the hair loss resuming if the androgens aren't kept in check in some other way. Maintaining your vitamin and mineral levels helps while you're on anti-androgen medications.

Minoxidil 2% Topical Treatment

Minoxidil was first used in tablet form as a medicine to treat high blood pressure (an antihypertensive). It was noticed that patients being treated with minoxidil experienced excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis) as a side effect. Further research showed that applying a solution of minoxidil directly to the scalp could also stimulate hair growth. The amount of minoxidil absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream is usually too small to cause internal side effects.

Women with diffuse androgenetic alopecia can use minoxidil and it actually seems to be more effective for women compared to men. The makers of minoxidil recommend women only use the 2% concentration of minoxidil and not 5%. The makers of minoxidil have not received FDA approval for promoting 5% minoxidil or minoxidil extra strength for use by women. Many dermatologists do prescribe minoxidil 5% for women with androgenetic alopecia if used under their supervision. Some small clinical trials have been conducted on 5% minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia in women showing that indeed the 5% solution is significantly more effective in both retaining and regrowing hair than the 2 % solution.

In clinical studies of mostly white women aged 18-45 years with mild to moderate degrees of hair loss, the following response to minoxidil was reported: 19% of women reported moderate hair growth after using minoxidil for 8 months (19% had moderate regrowth; 40% had minimal regrowth). This compares with 7% of women reporting moderate hair regrowth after using the placebo, the liquid without the active ingredient in it, for 8 months (7% had moderate regrowth, 33% had minimal regrowth).

Nizoral/Ketoconazole

Available as a topical treatment by prescription, Ketoconazole is currently used as an antifungal agent in the treatment of fungal infections. It also has anti-androgenic effects and can cause a reduction in the production of testosterone and other androgens by the adrenal gland and by the male and female reproductive organs (in women, the ovaries). Because of this action, it can be used to help treat hair loss. Nizoral shampoo contains 2 %Ketoconazole and is prescribed not only for the treatment of scalp conditions, but also in combination with other treatments for androgenetic alopecia. A 1 %version is now available over-the-counter, but it may not be as effective as the 2 % prescription strength.

See your Doctor or Dematologist  for advise as to the most suitable treatment for you.

Information from The American Hair loss Association. 

Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?

If you’ve been noticing more hairs on your pillow or hairbrush than normal, you may worry that you have hair loss. You could actually just be shedding more hairs than normal. Yes, there is a difference.

        

Seeing more hairs than normal on your hairbrush could mean that you have excessive hair shedding.

Hair shedding often stops on its own

It’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. When the body When the body sheds significantly more hairs every day, a person has excessive hair shedding. The medical term for this condition is telogen effluvium.

Excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced one the following stressors:

• Lost 20 pounds or more
• Given birth
• Experiencing lots of stress (Caring for a loved one who is sick, going through a divorce, losing a job)
• Had high fever
• Undergone an operation
• Recovering from an illness, especially if had a high fever
• Stopped taking birth-control pills

Most people notice the excessive hair shedding a few months after the stressful event. For example, a new mom can see excessive hair shedding about two months after giving birth. The shedding usually peaks about four months after giving birth. This shedding is normal — and temporary.

As your body readjusts, the excessive shedding stops. Within 6 to 9 months, the hair tends to regains its normal fullness.

If the stressor stays with you, however, hair shedding can be long lived. People who are constantly under a lot of stress can have long-term excessive hair shedding.

Hair loss differs from hair shedding

Hair loss occurs when something stops the hair from growing. The medical term for this condition is anagen effluvium. The most common causes of hair loss include:

• Hereditary hair loss
• Immune system overreacts
• Some drugs and treatments
• Hairstyles that pull on the hair
• Harsh hair care products
• Compulsion to pull out one’s hair

If you have hair loss, your hair will not grow until the cause stops. For example, people who undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments often lose a lot of hair. When the treatment stops, their hair tends to regrow.

If you suspect that a treatment or drug is causing your hair loss, talk with your doctor. Serious side effects can occur if you immediately stop a treatment or drug.

Other causes of hair loss may require treatment. Many people who have hereditary hair loss continue to lose hair without treatment. A woman who inherits the genes for hereditary hair loss may notice gradual thinning. Men who have hereditary hair loss tend to develop a receding hairline or bald patch that begins in the center of the scalp.

Treatment helps many people who have hair loss, but not everyone. A dermatologist can tell you what to expect.

Dermatologist can distinguish between hair loss and hair shedding

If you are concerned by the amount of hair falling out, you don’t need to suffer in silence. You can turn to a dermatologist for help. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating the skin, hair, and nails. A dermatologist can tell you whether you have hair loss or excessive hair shedding. Some people have both.

A dermatologist also can find the cause or causes and tell you what you can expect. Effective treatments options are available for many types of hair loss. The sooner treatment begins, the better the prognosis.

Tips dermatologists give their patients

Hair loss in new moms
The tips on this page can help anyone bothered by excessive hair shedding — not just new moms — to have fuller-looking hair.

Hair styling without damage
Making some simple changes to your hair care can help prevent hair breakage that can eventually cause hair loss.

Related resources

Alopecia areata
Developing in otherwise healthy people, this disease that can cause round bald patches on the scalp, diffuse hair loss, or in rare cases, complete hair loss.

Five tips to help manage stress
Research-proven tips to help you manage short- and long-term stress.

References

Cheng AS, Bayliss SJ, “The genetics of hair shaft disorders.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2008;59(1):1-22.

Follow these simple tips - start getting better looking hair right away.

Losing hair is very upsetting for men and women. Often it is simply because of our genes, but it can be a symptom of conditions such as hypothyroidism or diabetes. If you feel more tired than usual, more thirsty, or have noticed drier skin or weight gain, do talk to your doctor, who will suggest blood tests. 

Try not to worry; these conditions are treatable and, in any case, there are many ways to disguise thinning hair. 

Try taking freshly grated ginger before food. Make sure your diet includes sesame seeds, molasses, quinoa, spinach, beetroot and nettle tea to ensure you’re getting enough B vitamins, iron, zinc, silica, calcium and magnesium.

An Ayurvedic remedy for hair loss is bhringraja oil – warm it massage this into your scalp at least once a week. Apply to dry hair – massage it in and wrap in a hot towel for 30 mins or 2 to 3 hours if you have the time.

Pukka herb bhringraja oil is available at The Health Store Blackrock or Grafton Street.

Or through Ayurveda.ie  You may like to book a  health consultation with Dr Donn Brennan .

A traditional remedy for hair loss is to add rosemary essential oil to warmed organic coconut oil( heat for approx 25 seconds in the microwave) the heat improves the absorption- and massage it into the scalp. Rosemary will help stimulate the surface of the scalp, which will help carry nutrients to the hair roots. This will also help seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.

Keep conditioner away from the scalp.

AAD Dermatologist tips for healthy hair 

https://youtu.be/4bw7nMXW36I