Treatments That Will Make You Say: Goodbye Hair Loss! By Benedict Smythe At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Treatments for hair loss, specifically pattern baldness involves thorough understanding of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Among the treatments for this condition are the following:

Topical Agents

Caffein and copper peptides are among those treatments that are applied topically. They are directed over the scalp immediately.

Caffeine has been found to stimulate the growth of hair in in vitro experiments. It also reduces the suppression of follicle growth by testosterone. Some formulations of shampoos include caffeine in order to effectively penetrate the scalp. For its treatment of androgenic alopecia, more research has yet to be done.

Copper peptides were found to shorten the telogen phase, which the resting phase of the growth cycle of hair. This normally results in majority of the hair being in the anagen, or the growing phase of the hair growth cycle.

Minoxidil is also administered topically. This drug was originally designed to treat hypertension because of its vasodilating effects. However, it was found to have the side effect of hair growth. Hence, since the 1980’s, topical administration of 2% minodixil has been used to treat baldness.

Ketoconazole is a drug also applied topically on the surface of the skin. It is an antifungal treatment synthetically produced to treat fungal infections on the skin. It is also a 5-α-reductase inhibitor and therefore works as a stimulator of hair growth.

Laser therapy

Low-level lasers directed towards the scalp have been found to stimulate the growth of hair in a process called photo-biostimulation. Hairmax Lasercomb is one product that is thought to act in this manner.

Massage

Alopecia areata has been seen to improve when daily scalp massages were done on the head. If done with essential oils, soothing effects on the head are felt.

Hair Cloning

Hair cloning has been expected to successfully treat baldness with the use of stem cells that have the capability to become hair follicles. A company in Manchester called Intercytex has been successful in culturing hair from the nape, growing them and implanting them in the scalp. Public availability of this technology can be achieved by 2010.

Hair Transplants

Hair transplantation is a surgical method of transferring hair from the donor areas of the body such as the nape or back to that person’s bald areas. These hair transplants can grow for a long time since they are resistant to baldness. Hair transplants are made to mimic the natural structure of hair follicle groupings, which is 1 follicle: 1-4 hair strands.

Finasteride

This drug is more popularly known as Propeciaor Proscar and is classified as an aza-steroid. Finasteride was originally marketed as a treatment to benign prostatic hyperplasia. It works as an effective treatment to baldness because it prevents the production of the enzyme called 5-α-reductase. This enzyme converts the testosterone in the body into DHT.
Finasteride is not recommended to be taken by pregnant women because it has been known to produce defects in fetal male. This drug is more prescribed to men than in women as it has been thought to be ineffective in women. However, this claim has been refuted and recently, it has been used a treatment for women as well.

It is important to remember that a consultation with the doctor is still the best solution to this problem.

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