Hair loss can be a frustrating byproduct of aging.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 70% of men lose hair as they age, and half experience hair loss by the age of 50.
Studies have shown that about 80% of male pattern baldness is due to genetic factors.
Up to 40% of women experience significant hair loss by age 50, according to a report from UCLA Health.
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A 2022 study found that adults with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, were up to 38% more likely to experience clinical depression, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
“It’s essential to find a specialist who focuses on evidence-based hair repair and regrowth,” Dr. Jimmy Song told FOX News Digital.
According to experts, the following five treatments may be helpful for people who want to minimize and prevent baldness.
Dr. Brendan Camp, a Manhattan-based dermatologist, recommends starting with over-the-counter topical minoxidil, which doesn’t require a prescription.
“This is thought to help preserve the growth phase of the hair, also known as the anagen phase,” he told FOX News Digital.
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Camp cautioned that it’s important to avoid getting topical minoxidil on your face, as it can encourage hair growth in unwanted areas.
Oral minoxidil was also recommended as an off-label treatment for alopecia. This version of the drug requires a prescription.
“For men with male pattern baldness, it’s important to use a combination of DHT inhibitors and something like minoxidil to improve blood flow to the scalp,” the doctor said.
Camp said the drug is typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure, but one side effect is hair growth.
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“Minoxidil is prescribed in low doses to treat hair loss in order to take advantage of this side effect and promote hair growth,” Camp said.
Oral finasteride is an FDA-approved treatment for male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, Camp said.
Doctors say finasteride works by limiting the production of a hormone called DHT, which causes hair shrinkage and hair loss.
Minoxidil and finasteride are both effective and have an “established track record in treating hair loss,” the doctor said.
Dr. Candace Spann, a Las Vegas dermatologist and creator of ReTress, a hair care formula for women suffering from hair loss, says it promotes hair growth in men by “improving blood flow to the scalp.” Therefore, he emphasized the importance of targeting DHT with blockers.
Jimmy C. Sun, M.D., board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director of Tribeca Aesthetics in New York City, says minoxidil and finasteride are both effective and have an “established track record in treating hair loss.” I agreed with Mr. Spann and Mr. Camp that there is.
Camp said platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment done in a medical facility where a patient’s blood is drawn and spun to separate the plasma from the red blood cells.
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Plasma rich in platelets and “growth factors” is injected into the scalp, “improving hair density and caliber,” he said.
PRP has also been used to heal wounds from trauma and joint injuries, but it’s also becoming popular to combat male pattern baldness and promote growth in hair transplants, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
PRP is an in-office treatment in which a patient’s blood is drawn and spun to separate the plasma from the red blood cells.
The effects are most noticeable 6 months after scalp injections. Experts say the procedure is not permanent and may require additional injections.
Sung said hair transplantation is “an excellent solution for hair regrowth for patients who are candidates and are looking for a long-term solution.”
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“Platelet-rich plasma injections enhance hair transplant results and may benefit some non-transplant patients,” he told Fox News Digital.
An alternative treatment for hair loss, saw palmetto is a plant-based over-the-counter supplement.
“Saw palmetto is thought to reduce the amount of the DHT hormone, which contributes to hair loss,” Camp said.
Saw palmetto, a palm native to the southeastern United States, is commonly used in supplements to “improve prostate health, balance hormone levels, and prevent hair loss in men,” according to Healthline.
“Evidence regarding the use of saw palmetto as an effective treatment for hair loss is limited, and OTC supplements are not regulated by the FDA,” he noted.
A 2020 study published by the National Institutes of Health noted that overall hair quality improved by 60% in hair loss patients who used various oral and topical saw palmetto products.
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The study also found that 27% of participants saw an improvement in total hair count, 83% reported an increase in hair density, and 52% said their hair loss had stopped progressing.
Treating hair loss in both men and women is a “multifaceted approach,” Spann said, and also includes treatment for other issues such as vitamin D deficiency and scalp inflammation.
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“Treatment for female pattern baldness is more complex because all of the underlying causes need to be addressed,” she told FOX News Digital.
Treating hair loss in women is “more complicated”, says dermatologist.
“It’s important to improve blood flow to the scalp, calm scalp inflammation, and correct underlying vitamin deficiencies.”
People experiencing scalp inflammation or scalp folliculitis should see a board-certified dermatologist to determine the cause of their symptoms and determine appropriate treatment.
Some cases of scalp inflammation can be treated at home using warm compresses, antibiotic ointments, antihistamines, antifungals and anti-dandruff shampoos.
According to the Valley Skin Institute website, some cases can be improved with at-home treatments such as warm compresses, antibiotic ointments, antihistamines, antifungals and anti-dandruff shampoos.
However, in some cases, symptoms may require stronger prescription medications.
A 2020 study published by the National Institutes of Health noted that overall hair quality improved by 60% in hair loss patients who used various oral and topical saw palmetto products.
“Correcting iron deficiency, low iron stores, and low vitamin D levels is also important,” Spann added.
According to Harvard Health, many vitamins and minerals play a role in healthy hair growth.
These include vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), B12, C, D, and E, as well as iron, selenium, and zinc.
“Eating the right vitamins and minerals is important to preventing and managing hair loss,” the Harvard Health website states. “Most people can meet all their nutritional needs with a healthy, balanced diet.”
If you have questions about choosing the right hair loss treatment, experts recommend talking to your health care provider.
Original article source: These 5 baldness and hair loss treatments may help ensure a healthy scalp, experts say
