Losing one's hair can be a trying event. Those who experience it seek solutions to re-growing their hair. The public market knows about this social aspect, constantly pushing hair loss remedies on the Internet and television. Regardless of the too-good-to-be-true ads, there are some viable and proven hair loss solutions that have been tested by the FDA and are professionally endorsed.
Causes
There are several reasons people can lose their hair. People can lose their hair from chemical treatments, radiation therapy or a hairstyling accident. For women, it is usually due to a hormonal imbalance or natural aging.
In men, hair loss can happen because of male pattern baldness, a disease that occurs during the late teens to early 20s. Hair follicles need a free blood supply and room to grow inside the pores. But one chemical, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can clog up those pores, constricting the hair growth. Eventually the hairs wither away. New hairs still appear but they show up as thin, white hairs we typically refer to as peach fuzz. This loss pattern usually happens from the front of the scalp to the back and then eventually the sides.
Surgery
Hair restoration surgery involves a transference of hair from one part of the scalp to another. Surgeons remove small groups of follicles known as "plugs" from a portion of hair that is still growing and move them to a balding area. They can transplant hundreds of plugs per surgery. Although hair fall-out will still continue in places because of the natural growth cycle, transplants have varied results among patients.
Rogaine
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved hair loss-stopping chemical. It goes by the trade name Rogaine. Minoxidil works best for the front of the scalp and on the sides by slowing down the balding process. It must be applied onto the scalp and not washed off for at least four hours. This treatment supposedly works as long as you are using the products. Once you stop using Rogaine, your baldness will return.
Propecia
Finasteride's marketing name is Propecia. It, too, is an FDA-approved hair loss prevention chemical. Propecia works by inhibiting the production of DHT. During clinical trials, 48 percent of those treated with Propecia were able to re-grow hair; the remaining subjects saw a stop in hair loss. The patent on Propecia expired in 2006, so now you can purchase a generic version for considerably less money.
Copper Peptides
Copper peptides are another way to treat hair loss. If applied to the scalp, copper peptides are known to increase the follicle size by rebuilding the blood supply inhibited by DHT. The peptides also act as an anti-inflammatory for the scalp, further inhibiting DHT. It is suggested by the Regrow Hair website that copper peptides should be used in combination with Minoxidil and Finasteride products to maximize hair growth.
Tags: hair loss, their hair, blood supply, FDA-approved hair, front scalp