Is there a Cure for Hair Loss and Balding?

By HiltonHair

There are many treatments on the market promising a miracle cure for hair loss. Each case is individual, so it is important to have a look at the causes of balding, as well as the pros and cons of the treatments on offer.

We are all constantly losing hair, typically about a 100 hairs a day. This is not noticeable because new hair is growing in at the same time. Visible hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair shedding and re-growth is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed.

Hair thinning or balding normally occurs gradually with age in both men and women, but is typically more pronounced in men. The medical term for gradual hair loss or hair thinning is referred to as androgenetic alopecia.

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What causes excessive hair loss or alopecia?

Excessive hair loss or balding can have a number of causes:

Genetics or family history. This is the most common cause of hair loss – a hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually with aging and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair in women. A number of genetic changes have been linked to male pattern baldness, but only one has been confirmed by research – the androgen receptor (AR) gene.
Hormonal changes. A variety of conditions can cause permanent or temporary hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems. Research has suggested that an abnormal quantity of a protein called prostaglandin D2 in the scalps of some men could be a cause of hair loss.
Health conditions. Hair loss in men has been linked to obesity and high blood pressure, or hypertension. Severe chronic illness can also cause hair loss, such as diabetes, prostate cancer or lupus.
Medical conditions. These include Alopecia Areata, which causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm or fungal infections, as well as a hair-pulling disorder (Trichotillomania). These conditions cause patches of baldness that usually grow back.
Certain hairstyles and treatments. Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as ponytails , tight braids or cornrows, can cause a type of hair loss called Traction Alopecia. Hot oil hair treatments and permanents can cause inflammation of hair follicles that leads to hair loss. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent.
Medications and supplements. Certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure can cause hair loss as a side effect. Anticoagulants (blood thinners) and vitamin A (Retinoid) supplements are also known causes.
Radiation therapy to the head. The hair may not grow back the same as it was before.
A very stressful event. Many people experience a thinning of hair after a physical or emotional shock, fever, child birth (Telogen Effluvium) or sudden weight loss. This type of hair loss can last several months, but it is temporary.
Smoking. Scientific studies show that there is an association between smoking and baldness in men.
Malnutrition or iron deficiency.
Scars. Hair follicles could be damaged due to burns or hair transplants, impeding the hair from growing back.

If you are concerned that your hair loss could be a symptom of a health problem you should consult with a medical doctor.

Hair loss Treatments

Many men see hair loss as a natural result of growing older and are not affected by their baldness. In others, however, hair loss can trigger negative psychological effects, such as low self-esteem or even depression.

People will go to desperate extremes to recover their hairline or full head of hair. There are many treatments and ‘magic potions’ available in the market today, but are they effective?

You have probably seen advertisements promising the benefits of various pills, liquids, and procedures that promise to regrow hair. Some treatments can be effective for a while, but results vary, are only temporary and are not always guaranteed. Others have negative side effects and could be dangerous for your health in the long run.

Here is a look at some of the most popular hair loss treatments, or so called cures for hair loss:

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

It is an over-the-counter liquid or foam rubbed into the scalp twice a day to stimulate hair growth. The medication must be applied continually.
The Rogaine website claims that over time the product can reduce hair loss and help regrow “natural, thicker-looking hair.”
Many experts, however, consider the drug a temporary fix because it doesn’t act directly on the hormonal process of hair loss.
Some side effects and considerations: Scalp irritation, unwanted hair growth on areas close to the face and hands, rapid heart rate. Because users must continue to take the medication indefinitely, it is a major health concern. It is not a cure for hair loss.

Finasteride (Propecia)

It is a prescription drug available only for men and taken in pill form to slow hair loss and possibly regrow hair.
Propecia inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which shrinks the hair follicle and leads to baldness.
Clinical trials have found that it can stop the progression of hair loss in 86 percent of men taking the drug. Only sixty-five percent of participants had substantial increase of hair growth.
Some side effects and considerations: Diminished sex drive and sexual function, increased risk of prostate cancer. In some men who experience sexual side effects, these side effects persist even after stopping the drug. Because users must continue to take the medication indefinitely, it is a major health concern. It is not a cure for hair loss.

Steroid Injections

This treatment is not used for baldness associated with aging; it is only appropriate for individuals who have been diagnosed with alopecia.
In a study 92% of participants with patchy alopecia areata and 61% of participants with alopecia totalis (total baldness) experienced regrowth on treated areas.
Some side effects and considerations: The injection may cause temporary skin thinning and weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, acne, and menstrual problems. The positive effects are only temporary. Because continued use of steroids are dangerous, continued use would be a major health concern. It is not a cure for hair loss.

Hair Transplant/Restoration Surgery

It is surgical technique that involves moving hair follicles from a “donor site” (usually the back of the scalp) to a thinning area of scalp.
A surgeon removes plugs of skin, each containing a few hairs, from the donor site, and then implants the plugs into bald sections of the scalp.
More than one treatment may be necessary, and the results depend on the number of hair follicles that remain healthy after transplant.
Some side effects and considerations: Infection and scarring. It is not a cure for hair loss.

Laser Therapy

Low-level laser is used to treat pattern baldness in men and women.
According to the New York Times, laser hair restoration won’t bring back dead hair follicles, but it may stimulate declining follicles so that existing hair is thicker and fuller.
Some side effects and considerations: In a study of 128 male and 141 female subjects, researchers said there were no side effects, but long-term effects are uncertain. It is not a cure for hair loss or for hair follicles that are already dead.

In summary, hair loss treatments are:

not 100% guaranteed,
are not 100% effective,
time consuming and can be painful,
expensive in the long run, and
have negative side effects and can be dangerous for your health.

It’s important to seek the advice of a dermatologist before starting a treatment regimen.

Scalp Micropigmentation, a quick and effective alternative for baldness

In the many years that we have been practicing Scalp Micropigmentation, we have had to do a lot of work and damage control on people who have experienced the ineffectiveness and negative results of hair loss treatments. (See Scar Camouflage and Scalp-Toning).

Following is a testimonial of one of our clients who underwent the SMP procedure with Hilton Hair. If you are having any doubts, this says it all:

“I started losing my hair in my early twenties. It was traumatic at the time because all my friends had full heads of hair and longer styles were more fashionable. I didn’t understand why I was losing mine as my dad had all of his. I tried every cream, lotion and potion on the market but nothing helped. I had minimal success with Minimixodil, but again, like all the others, it eventually stopped helping.

Fast forward many years later and I came across Scalp Micropigmentation, or SMP for short. This looked good, but at that stage I couldn’t find a reputable artist in SA.

A few years later I came across an article on it and happened to find Malcolm Hilton.
I made an appointment and we began right away. He had been the exact fit and I highly recommend his work.

If you are hesitant don’t be. The sooner you start the process the sooner you can start living your best life!” Brett, Johannesburg.