Hair loss treatment often depends on the underlying cause of the hair loss. When hair loss is caused by the stress of surgery, illness, injury or hormonal fluxuations, hair loss treatment is often a matter of letting the hair grow back on its own. If the cause of hair loss is an over or under-active thyroid gland, hair loss treatment often involves treating the thyroid condition. 

Certain medications can also cause hair loss, including anticoagulants, antidepressants, birth control pills, chemotherapy, gout treatments, and more.  In these cases, hair loss treatment is often achieved by terminating use of the drug.  It is important to speak with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment.  Some medical conditions like diabetes, lupus, and fungal infections can lead to hair loss. Many times in these cases, treating the underlying condition is the best method for hair loss treatment. 

In many cases hair loss is not attributable to any of these factors. Two out of every three men and two out of ten women develop an inherited trait called “common baldness.”  Hair loss treatment in these cases can be a bit more complex. There is no cure for male or female patterned baldness. The earlier the onset of hair loss, the worse the condition eventually becomes, as a general rule. Medications and surgical procedures are common methods of hair loss treatment. 

Rogaine (minoxidil) is an over-the-counter hair loss treatment medication that is applied directly to the scalp. This hair loss treatment, proven to retard hair loss and stimulate new hair growth, is available to men and women.  Prescription-strength Propecia (finasteride) is a pill form hair loss treatment available only to men.  Propecia can preserve existing hair.  These medications can be used in conjunction or separately, as directed. Using these medications may also enhance the results of surgical hair loss treatments. 

In the last decade, major advancements have been made in surgical hair loss treatment, improving results and drastically increasing the popularity of these effective treatment options.  Hair transplants, in which a small strip of hair-bearing scalp is transplanted from the side or back of the head to the balding areas, is one common surgical hair loss treatment. In recent years, the incisions required for this procedure have become smaller and finer, with micrografts and mini grafts now successful. Scalp reduction is another option in hair loss treatment.  The area of bald scalp is reduced by excising a portion of the skin and hair-bearing skin together.

Surgical hair loss treatment options are rapidly gaining popularity as success of these procedures is witnessed and experienced.  Nearly 50,000 patients underwent hair transplant surgery in 2004 alone, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  This is more than a 50 percent increase from the previous year. If you would like to learn more about hair loss treatment, please contact us to confer with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon in your area.