Hair loss comes in many different forms and at many different stages of life. Whether it’s pattern baldness, alopecia in all its different forms, post-partum hair loss, or baldness arising from medical treatment, it does seem like there are many ways to lose your strands.
The good news is that there are almost as many treatments and hacks to help you manage the loss. There are ways to slow it down, stop it, reverse it, replace it or disguise it. We’re going to cover some of the main ones in this article. Read on to find out more!
Medicated Treatments
There are several medications that have a proven track record for thickening hair or stimulating regrowth. Two of these, minoxidil and finasteride, are often used as a combination treatment. Minoxidil increases blood flow to the hair follicles. This allows for vital nutrients and oxygen to be carried to the follicles, stimulating the growth of new hair.
Finasteride tackles the effects of male pattern baldness, a genetic condition in which the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attacks the hair follicles and causes them to produce progressively smaller hairs. Over time, this results in thinning hair and a receding hairline. Finasteride acts to block the effects of DHT on the follicles.
Hair Transplants
Hair transplants provide a permanent solution to the problem of hair loss for both men and women. Advances in technology and surgical techniques have transformed the procedure in recent years. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant surgery, for example, involves hair follicles being transplanted from donor sites at the sides and back of the head to the thinning areas. These follicles then proceed to grow hair just as they did when they were part of the donor site. The result is thick, natural hair that is indistinguishable from the hair around it.
While hair transplants are possible for anyone regardless of age or gender, not everyone will be a suitable candidate for one. Much depends on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing, the stage it has reached and the viability of your donor sites. Only a consultation with a hair expert will tell you whether this is a suitable option for you.
Hairstyle Strategies
Some people shy away from the idea of taking medication or undergoing surgery for their hair loss. They prefer to try and hide the effects by changing their hairstyle. For men, the best option is what is often referred to as a ‘reveal to conceal’ strategy. That simply means keeping the hair short to disguise areas of thinning or loss. A skilled hairstylist can shave the top of the head in such a way that it fades into the thicker hair at the sides and back of the head. The result is a tidy finish that looks ultra-trendy.
Women have a greater choice of styles that can mask thinning hair. The trick is to find the one that suits you best. As a general rule, you should avoid tight hairstyles. They can give rise to traction alopecia, a common cause of hair loss in women. So, give cornrows, dreadlocks, buns and ponytails a miss. Avoid using rollers, too, as these pull and tighten your hair in the same way. Layered hairstyles are good for covering areas of thinning hair, as are shaggy cuts and short bobs.
Lifestyle Audit
When hit by hair loss, do a lifestyle audit. Take a close look at your diet, your haircare habits and your daily routine. Ask yourself if there is anything in these that could be contributing to your hair loss issue. What you eat, for example, could be a major part of the problem. If your diet is skewed towards processed foods or foods high in sugar and salt, it is unlikely that your hair follicles will be getting the nutrients they need to grow thick, healthy hair.
It’s a similar story with your haircare routine. If it involves excessive use of heat styling tools, daily hair washing and an overreliance on hair products, you could be killing your hair with kindness. Look at what you’re doing, do some reading, and then start making changes!
Final Thoughts
Facing up to the fact that you’re losing your hair isn’t easy. It feels like our whole sense of self is being undermined. These days, however, you can do something about it. You just have to decide upon the solution that suits you best.
Vinci Hair Clinic is here to help if you have any concerns about hair loss or thinning. We are one of the world’s leading hair restoration organisations with clinics all around the globe. We’re offering a free, no-obligation consultation to all our new clients, so all you have to do is get in touch and book your appointment. Do it today!
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