Why a Phototherapy Session Is Perfect in the Winter
Hair loss for women and men can be both frustrating and embarrassing. At times, it may feel like a lost cause, but we assure you, it’s not. Whether you suffer from alopecia areata or any other autoimmune disorder, we can help you get your hair back.
How to Get Your Hair Back
Treatment of the Condition
For many of us, alopecia, or hair loss treatment, results from heredity or even improper hair management. Still, for some, alopecia is caused by an autoimmune disorder like alopecia areata, scalp infections, or even hormonal imbalance. Treating these conditions can stop hair loss and allow your natural hair to grow back on its own.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, popularly known as Rogaine, is a topical treatment that can be used to help you regrow your hair. Minoxidil works as a vasodilator that widens the blood vessels and allows more oxygen-rich blood to travel to the hair follicles, resulting in significant regrowth. Minoxidil has also been known to strengthen the follicles and increase their size.
Finasteride
Finasteride, or Propecia, for hair loss treatment is an oral medication that, when taken regularly, can treat hair loss in men. For most, Propecia has been proven to slow hair loss progression by lowering DHT levels, a hormone linked to male pattern baldness. After six months of treatment, patients may experience up to 30% improvement when taking regular doses. Unfortunately, Propecia is not effective on women.
Hair Transplant
Propecia may be gender-specific, but hair transplants are for anyone. With a hair transplant procedure, hair is taken from another part of the body (typically the back of the head) and is surgically implanted in a bald area. There are two types of procedures; FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and FUE (follicular unit extraction). In FUT, the surgeon removes a piece of your scalp from the back of your head, surgically slices the scalp into thousands of smaller pieces (known as grafts), and makes small holes in the bald section of your scalp where he/she will implant the small pieces. In FUE, the hair follicles are removed and not a segment of your scalp. Similar to FUT, the surgeon will make tiny holes in your scalp and implant the hair follicles. Both procedures are considered very effective.
Topical Corticosteroids and Injection
Highly concentrated topical corticosteroids and corticosteroid injections have been used to help patients regrow a significant amount of hair. Topical corticosteroids are applied directly to the scalp. When fully absorbed, inflammation around the hair follicles decreases, promoting stronger and healthier follicles. Corticosteroid injections are injected directly into the scalp’s bare patches and can result in new hair growth.
Each of these treatment options come with their own effectiveness and risk. So be sure to speak with a licensed dermatologist to determine which restoration option is right for you.
If you’re in Cincinnati, Ohio, then you’re in luck! Our experts at The Dermatology Group can help you explore your best options to get your hair back and provide advice and resources so you can keep it for years to come. Give us a call today!