Treat Baldness

Before deciding on an option to treat baldness it is important to determine the cause of your hair loss in the first place. In doing so you'll be better placed to choose the right hair loss treatment.

Many sufferers attempt to treat baldness without a real understanding of what is happening to their body. This approach often leads to less than satisfactory results and a waste of money on hair loss products and treatments.

What then are the most common causes of baldness?

Androgenetic Alopecia - otherwise known as pattern baldness or hereditary hair loss, this form of baldness can begin at any time after puberty but more often before the age of 40. In men it takes the form of a receding hair line and large bald patch on the crown. In women it usually takes the form of diffuse thinning all over the scalp.

The main culprit for this hair loss is DHT, a derivative of testosterone. In short, testosterone is converted into DHT with the help of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha-reductase. DHT in turn shrinks hair follicles triggering hair loss over a period of time. Some people have inherited a sensitivity to DHT which leaves them vulnerable to this type of hair loss.

It makes sense therefore that androgentic alopecia is best treated by tackling the cause directly. Propecia (Finasteride) achieves this by inhibiting the formation of DHT thus minimizing its adverse effects on the hair follicle. Herbal alternatives that claim to have a similar effect are readily available but only Propecia has been approved by the FDA for treatment of hair loss. Most of these treatments are aimed at men so women should seek the advice of their physician before undergoing treatment.

Telogen Effluvium - this the second most common form of hair loss and is usually triggered by physical or emotional stress. Women aged between 40 and 60 are most likely to experience telogen effluvium which can be sudden, delayed or chronic. The good news is, telogen effluvium usually clears up spontaneously once the stress related trigger has subsided. No effective treatments have been found although improvement in diet and nutrition can have a positive effect.

Trichotillomania - habitual hair pulling is a surprisingly common cause of baldness. It is clearly psychological in nature rather than the physiological problem common to most other forms of hair loss. This means that behavioural counseling is the best way to treat baldness of this type.

Alopecia Areata - this type of baldness can affect children as well as adults. It is believed to be caused by an autoimmune disorder and can occur rapidly, slowly or at irregular intervals. In severe cases alopecia areata can spread over the whole scalp (areata totalis) or even the whole body (areata universalis).

The most common treatments include injection of corticosteroids and the application of minoxidil. In the case of patchy hair loss the hair will probably grow back. In the case of more extensive baldness or where hair loss has persisted for more than five years, the outlook is not promising.

Other forms of hair loss are less common and may be disease related, cosmetically induced or a reaction to certain pharmaceutical drugs.

To determine how best to treat baldness you need to seek the help of your physician who can determine whether your hair loss is caused by physiological or psychological factors. Once you pinpoint the exact cause you'll be in a better position to choose the treatment option that suits you best.

Many choices are currently available to patients seeking to treat baldness. Some people are happy to take strong pharmaceuticals (Propecia) or follow the surgical route. Increasing numbers of hair loss sufferers are now choosing the natural or herbal option with several effective treatments available.