Hair loss can be embarrassing and frustrating for both men and women. For many, the hair on the top of their head serves as a sense of pride or plays an essential role in how they view themselves. Whether it is due to side effects of medication, a certain treatment, or just simply a part of aging, hair loss is a common experience. However, there are certain medications or natural processes that help prevent or slow down unwanted hair loss.
Understanding the Cause
Before running straight to the pharmacy, it is useful to pinpoint the cause of your hair loss. Although this may not be possible for everyone, understanding the reason behind the problem help you choose the best treatment to combat your hair loss. In other words, hair loss is often a sign that something else is going on in your body, and it is best to treat that cause to prevent continuous hair loss.
For example, some people experience hair loss due to stress and anxiety. If you notice that this is the case, try and understand your triggers and alter your life to help regulate and control that stressor.
You should also pay attention to what you put in your hair and scrutinize your hair care technique. If you are constantly using harsh chemicals in hair dyes and shampoos, a simple solution might be to begin using products designed for those with sensitive skin and hair.
Some other factors that may affect hair growth and loss are the environment, excessive smoking, aging, nutritional deficiencies, genetic factors, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances. It is essential to speak with your doctor regarding your symptoms and use their input as a guide to proceed with the best hair loss treatment plan for you.
Natural Remedies
Once you have gotten a good idea of what may be causing the problem, the next step is to decide on a hair loss treatment plan. For those of you who prefer natural treatments to medications, here are a few tips and tricks that can help with your hair loss.
 |
| Alopecia areata, a common type of hair loss, is often caused by stress. Source: nih.gov |
Using hair oil to massage your scalp is a really good way to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. These massages help increase blood flow to hair follicles on your scalp while also enhancing the strength of the roots of your hair. Popular hair oils that are effective include coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil.
Aloe vera is another natural substance that helps promote healthy hair growth. Containing enzymes that not only encourage growth but also regulate your hair’s pH balance, aloe vera is also great for scratchy scalps, inflammation and redness, and dandruff.
Another natural herb that is worth mentioning is licorice root. This herb helps prevent hair loss as well as further damage to the hair. The properties of licorice root help open the pores, soothe the scalp and get rid of irritations. This remedy is good for dandruff, hair loss, and baldness.
Medications
For those experiencing severe hair loss or hair loss due to a chronic illness, taking medications may be the best route to keep from losing hair. When deciding if this is the best move for you, be sure to consult your doctor.
One of the important questions to ask your doctor is if your hair loss is a symptom of the current medication that you are taking. If so, a change in dosage of that medication could be all that it takes to restore your hair.
In other cases, your doctor may suggest a topical medication. Although the way in which they work is still not fully understood, certain topicals are great at increasing circulation within hair follicles. This action helps return dormant hair follicles back to an active phase, ultimately promoting re-growth.
Another type of medication that is great for hair loss treatment are anti-androgens such as finasteride. This medication blocks the expression of hormones that are directly linked to hair loss while also encouraging hair growth.
Whatever hair loss treatment you and your doctor decide on, take heart in knowing that there are multiple ways to treating this issue, and with the right approaches, you can regain your hair and boost your confidence.
