5 Best Options for Treating Alopecia

Alopecia is the term used to describe hair loss, and it can occur in both men and women. Men tend to suffer from the typical male pattern baldness called androgenetic alopecia, while women more often have thinning hair after menopause or hair loss from other causes.

In women, bald spots and hair loss can result from alopecia areata or traction alopecia. Hormonal conditions in women, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, also frequently result in hair being lost from the head.

There are many different treatments available for hair loss, but most do not cause a permanent change in your condition. Before considering any type of treatment it is a good idea to make sure that you have adopted a healthy lifestyle, and if not, then now would be a good time to start.

Eating lots of nuts and vegetables provides your body with antioxidants that help protect cells and also help improve the condition of your hair.

Temporary fixes for alopecia include using medicated creams and foams or choosing PRP therapy and laser light therapy. If you want a permanent fix for your hair loss problem then the only option is to have a hair transplant. 

Best Treatment Options for Alopecia

Medicated creams to treat hair loss

There are two creams that people generally use to help with alopecia. Finasteride is a type of hormone-blocker; it works by preventing testosterone from forming the hormone dihydrotestosterone. This hormone is also called DHT and it is created by a reaction involving the enzyme 5α-reductase.

Minoxidil is another cream that is commonly applied to the hair and this helps hair growth by acting as a vasodilator; this means that the blood vessels in the scalp increase in size so that more blood is delivered to the hair follicles, which helps hair growth.

Light therapy and PRP therapy can be done as a treatment for alopecia. PRP therapy is when your own blood plasma is used to help trigger hair growth. The PRP therapy is often done after a hair transplant as well, and it can help to speed up recovery.

Light therapy uses low-levels of laser light of a particular wavelength to help cell metabolism, which also then activates hair follicles to grow.

Hair transplants for a permanent fix

Hair transplant surgery has become increasingly popular but is often not affordable, which is a reason that many people choose to visit countries such as Turkey where the cost of such a procedure is reasonable. In fact, the cost of a hair transplant in Turkey is lower than that of a hair transplant in the UK.  

The best choice of transplant method is undoubtedly the FUE or sapphire FUE, both procedures are the same except for the choice of blade used. In the sapphire FUE, a blade made of sapphire is used, which does have some advantages over the regular metal blade.

Home Remedies

Because there aren’t too many options out there for hair loss that are permanent, many people have turned to home remedies for help. While they might not be guaranteed, and the results vary from person to person, they are definitely worth trying if you are out of options.

Some people recommend rubbing garlic juice, onion, cold green tea, Rosemary oil, almond oil, coconut milk, or even honey into the scalp.

The good news is that none of these are likely to cause any harm, but keep in mind that their effectiveness is not currently supported by any research. Some people also turn to other home remedies for hair loss, including aromatherapy and acupuncture. Again, there is little, if any evidence that backs up these kinds of treatments.

Topical Immunotherapy

Topical immunotherapy is mostly used when you are experiencing a lot of hair loss, or if your hair loss happens more than once.

The process is applying chemicals to the scalp, which is meant to produce an allergic reaction. If the procedure goes according to plan, the reaction is actually going to help your hair grow back.

This means that initially you might experience an itchy rash, and you might have to repeat the procedure several times, but some have supported this method as being effective.

Alopecia Home Care

Aside from medications and topical remedies, there are other things that you can try if you suffer from alopecia.

There is the option of wearing a hat, a scarf, or a wig. Not only will these cover your hair loss, but they will protect your head from the sun. Another preventive approach is to reduce stress.

Suffering from extended periods of stress does appear to exacerbate physical health conditions like alopecia, however, this hasn’t been scientifically proven.

Remember, while alopecia isn’t typically a serious medical condition, it can cause a lot of sadness and anxiety. This is why there are numerous support groups out there to help you deal with the psychological effects of this medical condition.

It is advisable to consult with a hair loss specialist at a reputable clinic to find out which treatment choice will work best for your particular situation, and they can advise on the costs involved.