Solutions for hair loss

Solutions for hair loss fall into different categories

Hair loss can occur over a period of time. It is therefore logical that any treatment will be slow to work as it has to affect the hair follicles and reverse the changes. No one regime is effective in 100% of patients and there are no factors that can be used to predict who will respond or not.

Cosmetic Products
These are usually products that inhibit the DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels in the scalp which is the hormone that may be causing the hair to fall out.

One of the largest range of products is Thymuskin. 

Thymuskin is a family of products that are applied to the scalp and can help in arresting the decline of hair density by reducing the number of hairs lost, and then it helps re-growth. As they act by local action on the hair follicle and are not absorbed, they have no side effects in the body.

One of the major benefits of this range is that it provides several options of products that can be used according to the severity of the alopecia and it also provides a complete range of hair care products.

Medical Treatment by Prescription
Most anti-androgen treatments are not used to treat androgenetic alopecia due to their  metabolic side effects and their adverse reactions. Two other medications are available today and have to be provided by prescription or through a pharmacy.

Minoxidil is supplied as a lotion, a 2% topical preparation has been available in many countries  either by prescription or through pharmacies. A stronger 5% preparation has now been developed and this will result in benefit of stopping hair loss in up to 80% of hair loss sufferers and 30% will see some re-growth of soft downy hairs after 3-4 months of application of the preparation. There is however one disadvantage that treatment is for the life of the patient as the alopecia will recur after cessation of therapy.

The second agent is finasteride which is taken as a tablet. This was initially developed to treat a large prostate gland in males as it is an enzyme inhibitor (inhibits 5alpa-reductase) which is involved in the metabolism of androgens. It therefore causes a reduction of the levels of this enzyme in the scalp thus reducing the active androgen content of the scalp i.e. it causes a reduction in scalp dihydrotestosterone levels( DHT).

As with any tablet that is ingested, it may have some side effects in some patients and cannot be used in women of childbearing age as there are concerns that should the recipient become pregnant, foetal abnormalities may occur.

Surgery
The most rapid way to obtain re-growth is through surgery where hair follicles are transplanted.  

Modern techniques have a much higher success rate than those used in the past but the possibility of scarring and an increase in skin pigment may have to be considered.

The treatments outlined on this page are designed for information purposes and not to replace the advice given by your medical practitioner