Non- Surgical Options for Treating Hair Loss

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Article Title:

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Non- Surgical Options for Treating Hair Loss

Article Description:

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The search for new ways to help those suffering from hair loss

has captured word-wide attention. Some new techniques and

products have been proven to be of benefit, while others have

simply played on the emotional strings of those who suffer from

the problem.

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Distribution Date and Time: 2007-10-01 11:00:00

Written By: M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D

Copyright: 2007

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Non- Surgical Options for Treating Hair Loss

Copyright © 2007 M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D

New York Hair Restoration Center

http://www.BernsteinMedical.com

Hair loss can be devastating for some of the nearly 30 million

men and women in the Unites States alone who are going bald.

Throughout the world, hair loss has been perceived as a sign of

aging, loss of virility and, for women in particular, a sign of

poor health. While none of this is necessarily true (hair loss

can actually happen at any age and for numerous reasons) dealing

with the chronic embarrassment and self image issues can take an

emotional and psychological toll.

The search for new ways to help those suffering from hair loss

has captured word-wide attention. Some new techniques and

products have been proven to be of benefit, while others have

simply played on the emotional strings of those who suffer from

the problem.

Alopecia (baldness) is not just a man's issue, it affects a

significant amount of women as well, but unfortunately women have

a harder time finding an appropriate therapy. Women experience a

different type of hair loss than most men, and this makes it more

difficult to treat. Women often do not have a stable, permanent

area for donor hair and, therefore, may not be suitable

candidates for surgical hair transplantation. And not all hair

loss medications have been approved for use in women, although

therapies such as low-level laser therapy may be helpful.

FDA Approved Medications

There are two FDA approved medications for hair loss, the oral

medication Propecia (that contains finasteride 1mg) and the

topical medication Rogaine (that contains minoxidil). Minoxidil

is generic and no longer requires a doctor's prescription.

Finasteride still requires a prescription but is also available

in the less expensive 5mg generic form that can be divided up

into the smaller 1mg doses using a pill cutter.

Medications can be useful in two ways. They can be used to

reverse hair loss when used early in the balding process and can

retard further hair loss at almost any stage. Drugs work well for

some patients, but not for others. They can be used alone, or can

be used as part of a treatment plan that includes hair

transplantation. Generally the earlier medications are started,

the more effective they are. In about 1/3 of the cases, there is

a visible amount of hair regrowth and in about 85% of patients',

it can significantly slow down further hair loss.

There is a common misconception that drugs work only on the

crown. In contrast to what people think, both Rogaine and

Propecia do work in the front and top part of the scalp, it is

just that they work better in the crown. Both medications thicken

fine, miniaturized hair and both are unable to grow hair in areas

that are completely bald. The crown usually has hair in the

thinning phase for longer periods of time than the front part of

the scalp. This helps to explain the relatively better response

to medication in this area. Although, Propecia is significantly

more effective than Rogaine in treating hair loss, and they seem

to have additive effects when used together.

Medications take time to work and it usually takes six months to

a year to see the results. In the first few months they may cause

shedding, so patients need to be patient and continue to use the

medication. The effects will wear off if the drugs are

discontinued and the patient will soon revert to the degree of

hair loss they would have had if they had not used the

medications at all.

Herbal Treatments

The most common herb that has been claimed to grow hair is Saw

Palmetto. This is a small plant that contains two types of oils,

fatty acids and sterols. It has also been marketed as an

aphrodisiac, a steroid to help build muscle tissue, a treatment

for natural breast enlargement, and as an aid in the treatment of

prostate enlargement.

The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Saw Palmetto appears to

be somewhat effective in alleviating the symptoms of prostate

enlargement and is commonly recommended for this condition.

However, there has never been a controlled, scientific study to

show that it can re-grow a person's hair and it has been the

experience of physician's who treat hair loss that it is not

effective for the treatment of this condition. Many other herbal

remedies have been used for hair loss over the years, but none

seem to have any real benefit in growing hair.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

This technique is designed around a scientific concept known as

photo bio-therapy. This involves the use of laser lights to

stimulate cell growth. As with drug treatments, patients who seem

to respond to this form of therapy have areas of thinning, rather

than areas of the scalp that are completely bald. Laser therapy

for hair loss can be administered in a doctor's office and is

also available in a smaller home version.

The home version works like a comb to spread the hair so the

laser light can more easily reach the scalp. More powerful laser

systems that utilize a rotational therapy process are available

for use under a doctor's supervision.

Camouflage Techniques

Using cosmetics is a common way of hiding ones hair loss and is

often used by persons who are just starting to thin, especially

in the crown. A number of over the counter products are now

available that can make the hair look thicker. They come

primarily in powders, sprays and creams. The main limitation of

all of these products is that unless the person has a significant

amount of hair to hold the cosmetics in place, it doesn't look

natural.

Wigs, hats (particularly baseball caps) and scarves are all used

to hide one's balding. In recent years, elaborate hair systems,

attached by glue or sewn to the patient's existing hair, have

evolved into a major industry. The problem with these systems is

that they must be periodically adjusted, requiring repeated

visits to the salon and significant expense. Because they can't

be removed at night, they cause traction hair loss, making the

user even more dependent on the hair piece. They are also

difficult to clean and often give the wearer the appearance of

having too much hair.

The final option to hide one's hair loss is to simply shave the

head. For many men, and for a small percentage of women, this

solves the problem in its entirety. While it may take people time

to adjust to this new look, some patients simply feel more free

by eliminating the hair loss problem in this way.

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M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D. is Clinical Professor of

Dermatology at Columbia University in New York and founder

of http://bernsteinmedical.com the New York Hair Hair

Transplant facility: Bernstein Medical - Center for

Hair Restoration. Recognized world-wide for developing

Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation, the procedure that

has revolutionized modern hair restoration surgery, you

can visit his award winning Hair Transplant Blog

http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/hairtransplantblog

for answers to all of your hair loss questions.