The most effective treatments for hair loss

Hair loss can be physiological , such as in autumn or postpartum. Also pathological , due to chemotherapy or other drugs, such as retinoids or antithyroid drugs. It is possible that it is produced by nutritional deficiencies of vitamins , amino acids , trace elements, or iron ; or that the cause is metabolic problems, such as thyroid diseases, or other hormonal problems. ” There are other hair loss that produce localized alopecia, such as alopecia areata , lupus , ringworm of the scalp or lichen planus, which are due to a localized inflammation “, explains Elena Roche, specialist of the Capillary Medicine Unit of Hospital Quirón de Valencia .

The type of alopecia is essential to determine the type of treatment and its duration. There are several, topical and oral, to treat hair loss and prevent its advance . Among them, Javier Olalquiaga Loewe, head of the Dermatology Service of Clínica Cemtro , in Madrid, highlights the efficacy of minoxidil and finasteride.

Minoxidil

The first of these is a vasodilator that is used in both men and women who suffer hair loss. Its effect is usually seen after three months of treatment, after applying two milliliters of product per day. According to the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ( AEDV ) effectiveness is seen between 30 and 60 percent of cases . However, he warns that “if minoxidil is abandoned in three months, most of the benefit disappears.”

Despite its benefits, the product has some side effect. The AEDV highlights:

• Passive hypertrichosis of the cheeks.

• Xerosis.

• Itching.

• Erythema.

•  Dermatitis irritativa

Although it is more rare to happen, they can also occur:

• Dizziness.

•  Headaches .

• Myalgia.

Finasteride

Oral finasteride, on the other hand, is only used in men or postmenopausal women , since, used in pregnant women or children of childbearing age can pose a risk to the fetus. It is a drug used by millions of patients for more than 20 years.

In this treatment, it would be necessary between three and six months of intake to appreciate the improvement and the minimum Effective dose is one milligram per day. According to the AEDV, it has been shown that finasteride is more effective and safer than minoxidil for hair loss.

Although it is not free of side effects:

• Decrease in libido.

• Reduction of ejaculation volume.

•  Erectile dysfunction (in approximately one percent of cases).

The academy also talks about painful gynecomastia, a very uncommon effect that is reversible after stopping treatment.

Hair transplant

“When it is not possible to recover the hair by medical treatment, aesthetic solution can be given to the alopecia areas depopulated by capillary transplantation,” says Roche.

Hair transplantation involves placing the hair of an area of ​​the scalp that does not have alopecia , called the donor area, in another area that lacks hair, known as the receptor area. Once the change is made, the transplanted hair will have the same characteristics as when it was in its initial location and will not continue the process of alopecia.

In addition to the above, the academy mentions other possible such as topical treatments, retinoic acid and imidazole derivatives; and the systemics, spironolactone and flutamide.

Anti-hair shampoos are not effective

Other remedies such as shampoos or anti-hair loss masks, ” can only act on the hair shaft and have no ability to influence the hair bulb , which is where the stem is generated, so they have no effect on hair loss”, Olalquiaga says This is corroborated by Roche, who affirms that “they are not effective”.

Nor does any other cosmetic work . “Another thing is that certain hair cosmetics improve the appearance of the hair shaft, but without acting on its production,” adds Olalquiaga.

The post The most effective treatments for hair loss appeared first on HealthBodha.com.