By: Jennifer Bailey
Hair loss is a problem that is shared by millions of people of both sexes all around the world. If you have been noticing more hair in your brush, shower drain or on your pillow than usual, you probably have the signs and symptoms of alopecia or gradual hair loss, leading to partial or total baldness. Yes, hair is not really mandatory for survival. However, losing one’s hair can be a major blow to one’s self-confidence. This is true especially in today’s environment where we are bombarded with the ideal that a full head of hair is an important part of beauty or attractiveness.
Hair loss can be caused by a wide range of factors. Stress and overexposure to sunlight will cause hair to become dry and brittle which eventually leads to falling hair. Frequent and repeated hair treatments such as perming, curling or blow drying have adverse effects on hair leading to hair loss. Illnesses, hormonal imbalances, and medications are also common causes of hair loss. To treat hair loss, its cause must first be determined.
Hair loss caused by stress, medication or illnesses is only a temporary situation and will simply stop once the cause ends. For hair loss that is due to infection, antibiotics and antifungal treatments are readily available. Steroids and other drugs are effective treatment for alopecia areata. However, for androgenic alopecia, there is no cure available. There are prescription drugs that treat hair loss such as the for-men-only Finasteride. Minoxidil, on the other hand, works for both men and women and is applied by rubbing directly onto the scalp. These drugs are available over the counter at most drugstores.
Today, hair transplant is one of the best and most effective treatments for baldness and hair loss. The procedure has considerably improved in recent years and many people suffering from hair loss choose this treatment. This treatment involves transplanting healthy hair into areas of hair loss in the scalp resulting to a more natural appearance. Early prevention is still the best cure for hair loss especially if your family has a history of balding genes.
