Hair loss in men can be inherited or brought on by the environment. Androgenetic alopecia, another name for male pattern baldness, is a hereditary condition. According to surveys, it affects more than half of men over 50. However, men might also lose hair due to stress or other autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata.
Even though hair loss cannot always be stopped, some treatments and therapies may be able to slow the process down. In this blog Dr. Urvashi Chandra, the leading hair transplant surgeon in Delhi, explains the various hair loss treatments available that can help one to overcome baldness.
Causes of Male Pattern Baldness
Men’s hair loss may be brought on by:
- Genetics & Family History: One is more likely to experience hair loss if the family members do. Men lose their hair over time due to a genetic condition called androgenic alopecia. This could show up as thinning areas on the crown of the head or a hairline that is slowly retreating.
- Medication Conditions: Hair loss can be brought on by certain medical disorders, such as autoimmune diseases or hormonal issues. For instance, bald spots or thinning hair may be brought on by thyroid problems, bacterial scalp infections, or the hair-pulling condition trichotillomania. Alopecia areata (bald patches) is a condition that develops when the immune system destroys hair follicles.
- Medications and Medical Procedures: Several medications used to treat conditions like cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis may cause hair loss as a side effect.
- Stress: Stressful or long-term stress events may cause temporary hair thinning.
One should be aware of the various hair fall treatments for discussion with their doctor.
1. Medication Options
Prescription and Over-the-counter (OTC) Medication. The FDA has approved two medications for the treatment of male pattern baldness:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine)- Rogaine is offered over-the-counter as a liquid or foam. Use it twice daily on the scalp to improve hair development and prevent hair loss. Minoxidil results can be observed after 4 to 6 months. Additional factors that impact results include application and dosage.
- Finasteride- One should take a medication called finasteride every day. It can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. The FDA states that it normally takes at least three months of consistent dosing for a medication to take effect.
Minoxidil and finasteride may take up to a year to begin functioning, and one must continue using them to maintain the benefits.
2. Hair Transplants
The two most popular methods for hair transplantation are follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction. One might need to undergo multiple hair transplant sessions for the best results to achieve the desired look. ;It is always advisable to get a hair transplant from an experienced hair surgeon to avoid complications’, says Dr. Urvashi Chandra, a leading hair transplant surgeon in Delhi.
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): The more “traditional” method is FUT. It involves scraping off a small amount of skin, usually from the back of the scalp, where there is a thick growth of hair. A surgeon then removes the follicles from that skin strip. The hair follicles are grafted into the area of the scalp with baldness.
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): FUE involves taking hair follicles straight from the scalp and transplanting them to the scalp’s bald spots.
3. Quit Smoking
One has probably heard about all the harmful consequences smoking has on the lungs if one is a smoker. However, did one know that smoking may cause hair loss?
In contrast to less than half of the individuals who did not smoke, most of the 1,000 males in the 2020 trial who smoked saw some hair loss. Quitting smoking may lessen hair loss if one smokes.
4. Healthy Diet
Maintaining a healthy diet may help keep the hair in good condition. Ensure that the diet contains a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean meats. Limit the amount of sweets one consumes.
In research, specific meal vitamins and minerals were linked to healthy hair. Try including these:
- Foods high in iron include lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, and eggs.
- Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, mackerel, tuna, flax seeds, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts.
- Protein-rich foods include eggs, lean meats, and shellfish.
- Lastly, but certainly not least, make sure one is drinking enough water.
5. Reduce Stress
One’s hair, as well as the rest of the body, can suffer significantly from stress. Hair loss may result from an hectic lifestyle.
Below are the strategies for lowering stress:
- Regularly working out
- Practising yoga
- Meditating
- Listening to music
- Getting enough rest
These are some treatments one can adopt to stop hair fall. However, the results of the treatments vary from patient to patient, depending on the hair type and stage of hair loss. One can consult Dr. Urvashi Chandra to get a customized hair fall treatment in Delhi at Chandra Clinic. The doctor is an expert dermatologist having 13+ years of experience in performing best hair transplant procedures.
