Ways to fight hair loss
by Dr Lina Malek
Losing hair can be detrimental to ones self-estee3m. The initial phase in dealing with hair loss is to understand that it is a very common occurrence, and nothing to be ashamed of. It is common knowledge that every person loses about 100 strands of hair per day. Hair loss is just a part of life and by accepting it and coming to terms with it, you communicate self-acceptance.
Hair loss can be triggered by a whole array of things, including diet, stress, genes, inflammation or a disorder of some sort. Luckily, there are plenty of options nowadays to help you fight balding.
The most commonly prescribed medical treatment for permanent hair loss is Minoxidil. It prevents the androgens (a male hormone) from attacking the hair follicles, thus reducing noticeable hair loss. Minoxidil is not a permanent solution and will stop working once you stop using it. Although it allows for hair growth, the hair will still likely not grow to its full potential, but will be enough to cover baldness.
Finasteride, an oral drug, is used to treat male pattern baldness and has the added bonus of helping to keep the prostate and preventing cancer. The drug works by blocking production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth. It is not safe for use in women of childbearing age, pregnant women, or for children.
Ketoconazole shampoo is another medical treatment that reduces scalp inflammation and inflammation induced hair loss.
Laser light therapy encourages the protein synthesis needed for hair regeneration and also stimulates blood flow to the head for better growth.
Cell therapy, commonly known as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), is just starting to be used for hair restoration. A small amount of your blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factor proteins that aid healing and then added to your scalp. It helps increase blood flow to the scalp and can reawaken dormant hairs to stop active hair loss.
Hair grafts or follicular grafting is a surgical procedure used for hair rejuvenation. A strip of hair from the back of your scalp is surgically removed and every hair is dissected under a microscope and then each graft is individually placed into thinning areas of your scalp with tiny incisions.
Other than this, there are always natural remedies which can be used for reducing hair loss. Ingesting omega-3 rich foods, green tea, dark leafy vegetables and onions can stimulate hair growth. Biotin is a hair growth supplement naturally found in brown rice and nuts which promotes hair growth and prevents hair breakage. Aloe vera gel can also be used to improve circulation and hair growth.
The writer is a consultant dermatologist at the Al Manar Hospital.
