Want to know all about hair loss? Download our free eBook now!

Hair Loss Solutions – WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE HAIR LOSS?

Hair loss guide

There are plenty of non-surgical hair loss solutions to explore before you choose to decide on a hair restoration procedure. In addition, any hair transplant doctor should advise you to combine some or all of these treatments with your hair restoration procedure.

Medical Treatments:

1) Finasteride/Dutasteride

The main difference between dutasteride and finasteride is the intensity of the effect.

Finasteride 1mg blocks about 70% of DHT, whereas dutasteride 0.5mg blocks more than 90%. This means that dutasteride is more effective at stopping the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Since DHT is what causes hair loss, this results in more hair regrowth and thickening of existing miniaturised hairs compared to finasteride.

As with finasteride, patients taking dutasteride should be on the medication for one year or longer before its effects in preventing hair loss and re-growing hair can be accurately assessed.

During the first six months on dutasteride, you may note some thinning of existing hair. This may be due to either progression of your hair loss before dutasteride has had a chance to work, or some shedding of miniaturised hair that makes way for the new healthy hair to grow.

It is important to be patient during this period, no hair loss solution is instand. You should continue the medication for at least one year before you and your doctor can assess the benefits. It should be noted that there can be an overall result of reduced quality of life, due to several side effects associated with taking Avodart (Dutasteride).

Side Effects

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with the commonly prescribed Avodart (Dutasteride) may put men at an increased risk for diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and worsening erectile dysfunction.

Physicians should be fully aware of these new findings according to the research and discuss with their patients the potential adverse side effects of Avodart on metabolic and sexual function before prescribing it. The study appears in the journal Hormones Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigations.

As men age, their prostate enlarges. This condition often results in urinary retention or other lower urinary tract symptoms, such as reduced urinary flow which results in waking up several times at night to urinate. To help improve symptoms, men are often prescribed an alpha-blocker, such as Tamsulosin (Flomax) which relaxes the prostate muscle and improves urination. Other drugs such as Proscar (Finasteride) or Avodart (Dutasteride) work by reducing prostate volume and improving urinary function.

“We believe our findings suggest that Avodart has a negative impact on men’s overall health since it increases blood sugar and A1C and also increases blood lipids. The increase in blood glucose and A1C may predispose men to diabetes and the increase in lipids may predispose them to NAFLD. Most importantly, this agent worsens sexual function and reduces the quality of life” explained corresponding author Abdulmaged M. Traish, MBA, PhD, professor of biochemistry and urology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM).

2) Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a vasodilating drug which opens up blood vessels. While the exact mechanism of action for minoxidil (the active ingredient) isn’t actually clear, it’s believed to work by partially enlarging hair follicles and elongating the growth phase of hair. With more follicles in the growth phase, you’ll see more hair coverage on your scalp.

Minoxidil does work to some extent as evidenced by clinical studies, but only for certain types of baldness, and only if you keep up with its application. However, it won’t work for everyone. If it does work, you probably won’t grow back all of the hair you’ve lost, and it can take up to 12 months to see any results. You’ll have to use Minoxidil indefinitely to maintain any regrowth.

Laser Therapy as a Hair Loss Solution

Side Effects

The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: growth (anagen phase), resting (telogen phase) and shedding (catagen phase). Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia depends on a testosterone derivative in the skin, dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Low-level laser therapy is believed to increase blood flow in the scalp and stimulate metabolism in catagen or telogen follicles, resulting in the production of anagen hair. In theory:

The photons of light act on cytochrome C oxidase leading to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is converted to cyclic AMP in the hair follicle cells, releasing energy and stimulating metabolic processes necessary for hair growth.

Release of nitric oxide from cells leads to increased vascularisation to the scalp distributing nutrients and oxygen to the hair roots.

Excessive build-up of DHT is prevented.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelets are a component of blood, along with red and white blood cells. When a person sustains a cut or wound, the platelets are some of the “first responders” that arrive to stop the bleeding and promote healing.

Researchers theorised that if they could extract concentrated platelets and inject them into damaged areas of the body, they could accelerate healing.

To produce PRP, a medical professional will take a blood sample and put it into a machine called a centrifuge. This machine spins at a rapid rate, which separates the components of the blood. The medical professional then extracts the platelets for injection.

PRP contains a range of growth factors and proteins that speed tissue repair. As some types of hair loss result from damage to hair follicles, researchers initially hypothesised that PRP could help regrow hair by reversing the process that occurs in androgenetic alopecia. PRP has become a popular method of restoring hair growth. Doctors have also used PRP to treat injuries to the tendons, muscles and ligaments, such as those that people sustain during sporting activities.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is an alternative treatment that is used to treat both male and female pattern baldness. It regulates the growth factors, proteins and vitamins in the scalp, and can promote a significant reduction of hair loss and lead to increased hair density and hair diameter. This therapy is undoubtedly a quick way to restore lost hair by restoring the hormonal balance and subduing the effects of DHT hormones.

Mesotherapy involves the use of essential nutrients injected into the mesoderm of the scalp. The physician gives the injection to the patient only after diagnosing the cause of the hair loss.

Using a 30 number gauge thin needle or a computerised mesotherapy mesogun, vitamins and minerals are injected into the mesoderm at every 1 cm of the thinning area on the scalp. The treatment maximises the absorption of nutrients by the hair follicles. This absorption activates the dormant or semi-dormant hair follicles to trigger more growth. It ensures the scalp receives a proper amount of amino acids which is crucial for the hair health and boosts keratin production. For this reason, it is considered as an effective treatment for almost all scalp and hair related issues.

As Mesotherapy can be an ambitious and expensive treatment, numerous experts advocate monthly application of uniquely formulated hair serums instead, following the use of a Dermaroller. Such a procedure will somewhat replicate a Mesotherapy session, without the associated costs, as it can be done in the tranquillity of your own home. Items that can be recommended in such context are the Ideal Dermaroller, the Ideal Collagenic Scalp Serum and the Ideal Hair Restoring Serum.

Scalp Condition

Scalp hygiene and care is very important; shampoo more frequently and always use cool water. Choose shampoos produced specifically for oily scalps and dandruff, although these are only temporary solutions. There are also scalp treatments available, depending on the cause. Usually, at least 3 or 4 treatment sessions are required to completely cure the scalp condition. Treatment of oily scalp with pH balancing also delivers longer-lasting results.

If your scalp is dry it needs to be moisturised and if your scalp is oily, then focus on measures to reduce grease and oil in the scalp. Hair washing habits need to be determined based on your scalp condition.

Eat a balanced diet of healthy fats and carbohydrates. Oral supplements of vitamins and minerals can be helpful. Treat your scalp and hair once a month for oil control, pH balancing and removal of any build-ups. Use shampoos and serums that are developed for hair loss patients, the following are examples of items that can help: the Ideal Hair Restoring Shampoo and the Ideal Collagenic Scalp Serum.

Supplements

Always ensure that your diet is not lacking basic nutrients. When it comes to maintaining healthy hair, this means making sure you’re eating enough protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B.

Biotin

Sometimes called vitamin H, this is a B-complex vitamin that strengthens protein structure in your skin, hair and nails. You probably know it as the supplement people take to grow their hair faster and that’s exactly what it does. It helps hair grow stronger, though you’ll first notice the increased frequency with which you’re clipping your nails. As a solution to hair loss on its own, well… it isn’t one.

However, if you are taking the aforementioned hair loss prescriptions (like finasteride and minoxidil), then it will help expedite and fortify your hair regrowth. Similarly, it will strengthen the remaining hairs you have on your scalp. So in this way, it could slow hair fall on the follicles that are withering away.

Vitamins A and C, Zinc and Selenium

While Vitamins A and C both help the scalp to produce healthy amounts of sebum—which keeps hair healthy, nourished and lustrous—they have individual benefits as well. Vitamin A helps reduce breakage, while Vitamin C improves iron absorption and collagen production, both of which assist in the formation of strong hair.

The minerals zinc and selenium can be especially beneficial. Zinc improves oil production (in a good way, to produce the necessary amounts of sebum), and is one of the best means of slowing hair loss. Selenium prevents and combats dandruff and dry, itchy scalps, which can hinder hair growth. Find supplements that combine any and all of these vitamins and minerals for more pro-active defense against hair loss.

A product that combines numerous vitamins, minerals and essentials, and which is recommended in this context are the mouth soluble Ideal Hair Vitamins, which will ensure a healthy supplement intake on a daily basis. The mouth soluble feature will also enhance nutrition intake as it enters the bloodstream more efficiently.