Hair loss is a concern for both men and women, and it can have many different causes – including heredity, medical conditions, medications, hormonal changes, and even trauma.
There is a growing number of advanced hair-loss treatments available that involve some type of surgical procedure (such as a hair transplant), but it is always best to first consider nonsurgical, noninvasive options.
How Can I Restore My Hair Without Surgery?
Several nonsurgical treatments can help prevent further hair loss and possibly even restore growth. Let’s take a look at some of these nonsurgical hair-restoration techniques:
Medications for Restoring Hair
Some of the most effective medications for the treatment of hair loss have been designed for alopecia areata, which is hereditary pattern baldness. Other medications were inadvertently discovered to help with hair loss while attempting to heal some other condition in the body.
These medications include the following:
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Usually marketed as Rogaine®, minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication that is federally approved to treat hair loss in both men and women. It is a liquid or foam product that is meant to be rubbed on your scalp every day.
At the beginning of treatment, minoxidil may actually cause a degree of hair loss; but most patients begin to see hair regrowth as early as 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. New hair may be thinner and shorter than your original hair, but it may regain its and width and length after several months.
Doctors recommend that you follow a course of treatment for at least six months before determining results. But, like many other medicines, there are side effects to be aware of. These include the potential for unwanted hair growth close to the area being treated.
Ongoing scalp irritation can also be caused by the treatment, and this is one of the main reasons that drive people away from the treatment too soon. Another side effect, though rare, is tachycardia (fast heart rate). Inform your health care provider immediately if you are experiencing this side effect.
Finasteride (Propecia)
This medication, marketed as Propecia®, is a prescription-only medicine – it is usually prescribed for men, not very often for women. In this treatment, you take one small pill every day. It is quite effective at preventing additional hair loss, but it doesn’t always restore hair growth.
Finasteride has infrequent side effects, including problems with sexual function. Studies have also linked the use of this medicine to a small number of cancers, such as prostate cancer, but these cases are rare.
Propecia acts powerfully in some parts of your body, and it is sometimes very detrimental. Pregnant women and people with a low-functioning immune system should avoid touching or crushing the medication.
Other Medications for Hair Loss
Newer medications have also been discovered for the treatment of hair loss.
For men, one option is the oral medication dutasteride, which was originally indicated to treat an enlarged prostate. For women, oral contraceptives can also be very helpful in reducing hair loss.
Talk to a hair restoration specialist about what treatment may work best in your case.
Hair Restoration Clinic in Washington State
If you would like to learn more about nonsurgical options for hair restoration, please contact us today. Our entire staff at Northwest Hair Restoration is eager to tell you about the latest in cosmetic treatments, including hair restoration products and procedures.
You can schedule an appointment online or, if you prefer, call us today at (253) 572-2949. We look forward to helping you feel great about your hair again.
