Understanding Baldness And Hair Loss Treatments

Superstitious Beliefs

We all have these superstitious beliefs about hair loss. When our hair starts to fall off little by little, we start blaming our mother’s father for passing down some bad genes. When we find out that our grandfathers had thick hair until their very last days, we start blaming all the stressful activities that we go through – career problems, marital bliss, among others. Then, we also conclude that it might just be an effect of a psychological phase that we are undergoing. And if nothing is to blame for all of these, we conclude that it is all because of our unexplainable fondness for tight hats. However, these preconceived ideas are more superstitious than factual. They are not really the causes for becoming bald.

Factual Information on Baldness and Hair Loss

To understand baldness in a more logical perspective, it is something that is brought upon by various reasons. Some baldness are caused by some diseases that directly target hair or hair growth. Alopecia areata is an example. There is also an illness called Traction alopecia which cause people to pull on their hair. Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism, both of which are abnormalities in one’s thyroid glands, could also cause frontal and parietal hair loss, respectively. Hair loss can also be caused by a person’s insufficient diet. Inadequate protein or iron can bring about hair loss and if not diagnosed, could eventually lead to a lot of hair falling. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy and other forms of radiation and drugs can stun hair growth and could also result to hair fall. Even those who are taking contraceptive pills could also experience hair fall. And, quite surprisingly, women who just gave birth and who thought that the only things that they need to worry about after giving birth are the baby and their figures may also experience excessive amounts of their hair falling.

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Hair Loss Treatments

However, no matter what the cause is and no matter what kind of cause we blame baldness to, whether the superstitious or the scientific causes, one thing is certain – baldness causes some psychological effects that could sometimes lead to social dysfunctions brought upon by depression, social phobia, anxiety, and to some extent, identity change. Just imagine all of those people you know, both men and women, who used to be very positive and sociable and turned to completely individuals when their hair loss stared becoming more apparent.

In a more positive light, baldness, however, has hair loss treatments that could sometimes reverse the whole hair loss process if it is detected early on.

Though it is much easier to just maintain what remains of the hair than to regrow it, nowadays, there are already a lot of treatments that could actually regrow what was lost from hair loss. In fact, there are two treatments that are approved to be safe and effective for treating hair loss – finasteride and minoxidil. Aside form these drugs, treatments such as low-level laser therapy, surgery, and hair multiplication, are also hair loss treatments that can be used. Another drug, ketoconazole, used in some shampoos, is also used because of its ability to stimulate hair growth. Unsaturated fatty acids are also taken orally to induce hair growth.

Some more natural methods include some changes in one’s diet and lifestyle. Aerobic exercises, weight training and diet with sufficient iron and protein can be used to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss.

Some other known hair loss remedies include Immunosuppressants, saw palmetto, Polygonum multiflorum, Hedgehog agonists, WNT gene related and coffee beans.

Yet, some people opt for the more direct but superficial approach of baldness and hair loss concealment. Wearing a wig or hat, choosing a hair style that conceals bald spot and or combing over are just some of the tricks that people use. However, there are still those who do not seek hair loss treatments anymore and save themselves from the grueling match and mismatch of known hair loss treatments that could work best for them. What they do is they open their arms wide open to accept their fate and just live with the baldness that they have. This, of course, requires a high level of tolerance and self esteem. For people who can’t manage social pressure, this kind of approach is not highly recommended.