Talking About Alopecia: Your Treatment Options For Hair Loss

No one wants to lose hair, but it is something that will eventually happen to most people, especially men. As such, it is good to have as much information regarding the subject as early as possible. This article will explain the reasons we lose hair, as well as potential treatment options for hair loss.

Reasons We Lose Our Hair

Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is surprisingly common and there are several reasons why hair loss affects millions of people. Most men and women will notice gradual hair loss and/or thinning as they age, and around 50% of people will experience hair loss due to genetics.

In females, genetic hair loss is likely to result in thinning all over the scalp, whereas male pattern baldness typically involves progressive hair loss above the temples and thinning at the crown of the head, creating an “M” shape.

Genetic hair loss cannot be ‘cured’ but there are options to slow down the thinning.

Sometimes hair can start to fall out due to medical procedures and treatments, such as chemotherapy and/or can be a result of extreme stress or shock. In these circumstances, many younger people also suffer from hair loss, the impact of which is often far greater than with older people who are generally able to accept the situation.

Some hair loss is temporary although regrowth patterns can be erratic. We all lose hair on a daily basis, but if that loss becomes excessive or falls out in lumps it is important to see a doctor to find out the underlying cause.

Treatment Options

When it comes to managing your hair loss, you will have a few options available to you, depending on your unique situation. In most cases, you will be referred to a clinic that specialises in hair loss. They can review your situation, find out the underlying reasons for the loss, and find ways to prevent or slow the process of the loss according to the cause.

Most treatments options for hair loss are not available on the NHS and will have to be paid for privately. Your GP may recommend over-the-counter medications such as minoxidil or finasteride. However, as with many medications, these can have unpleasant side effects.

One option to consider, particularly if hair loss is in a younger person and may be permanent, is hair transplant treatments.

One such procedure that has exceptional results is the FUE hair transplant surgery. This is also known as the follicular unit excision. The procedure involves extracting individual hair follicles from the back and sides of your head and transplanting them to a part of the scalp that suffers from thinning or balding. Over a 6-12 month period, these hairs will grow, recreating hair where it has previously been lost. The end result is a rejuvenated appearance of naturally grown hair.

Many clinics across the country offer these treatments, although some people prefer to use specialist clinics in the capital that offer free consultations with a surgeon. The Treatment Rooms is one such clinic based in London that offers fue hair transplant surgeries and can help sort out your hair loss issues.

Moving Forward

You should also be aware of what happens following any treatment you have. First of all, it will depend on the treatment you receive. In some cases, you may need to have a few follow-up appointments to either administer extra treatment, as per your arrangement or just to review how it’s going. In some cases, you may need to change your treatment plan due to things not working the way they were expected.

Confidence

It is not surprising that confidence can be directly affected by hair loss, especially in young people.       Even barbers have said losing hair knocks their self-esteem.

However, remember that confidence does not come from outside, it comes from within. You should speak to a life coach or a therapist if you feel like your confidence is in desperate need of a boost.