Mevish Jaffer
In a world where appearance plays a significant role not only in other people’s perception of your character, but in your own self-esteem and confidence, hair loss can be a daunting condition to experience.
The human head consists of numerous hair follicles, which people with normal and healthy hair shed on a daily basis. These individual strands of hair are usually replaced at the next hair growth cycle. However, when re-growth fails to take place, hair loss can become a permanent issue. Unfortunately, many men and women have hair loss problems, including male pattern baldness and thinning of hair. While hair loss is more prominent in men, the problem still exists in women and can be extremely embarrassing.
The major reasons surrounding hair loss in men are genetics and hormones. Although hormones also play a role in the development of hair loss in women, they can often suffer from hair loss due to a number of additional causes:
- Diet
- Extinction of hair follicles
- Frequent shampooing
- Illnesses (lupus, cancer)
- Improper hair care and maintenance
- Medications
- Stress
- Thyroid problems
The good news is that there are solutions for both men and women who are suffering from this problem. Hair restoration options mainly consist of various products and techniques which can work for both genders in order to improve their appearance and enable them to get that full head of hair back. The following are some popular examples which individuals can consider to deal with hair loss problems:
Hair Replacement Products
There are several types of hair replacement products in the market which work for many people, including Rogaine and Propecia. Both of these hair replacement products are FDA approved for safe and effective usage. However, as with any other product or medication, it’s important for individuals to carefully read the directions and side-effects (if any), prior to usage.
Laser Hair Restoration Treatments
Laser technology for hair restoration is fairly new, as the procedure is designed to re-stimulate hair growth in the scalp. This process also addresses other common scalp issues, such as dandruff and involves a succession of about nine treatments where patients are able to gradually see a dramatic reduction in hair loss.
Hair Loss Transplants
A hair loss transplant basically involves repositioning healthy hair follicles from other areas on the patient’s scalp to the damaged ones. The process can usually be expensive, however there are several benefits, including the natural looking appearance of a full head of hair that feels soft and smooth.
Herbal Remedies & Hair Pieces
Those who do not wish to go the laser or surgical route and prefer to stay away from pills, medications and drugs, can consider different herbal supplements for hair restoration. Many men and women also opt for hair pieces and wigs in order to deal with their hair loss problems. Although being the “bud” of a bad joke is something many people associate with artificial hair, that’s no longer the case. There are several trendy hair pieces and wigs in today’s market that allow both men and women to match their hair color and skin tone in order to provide a more natural and comfortable fit.
Regardless of the specific means in which men and women choose to address their hair loss problems, the overall point is that there are solutions for hair restoration, including various hair replacement products and techniques, and the option of undergoing a
hair loss treatment procedure. It’s also important for individuals to evaluate the pros and cons of each option and consult with their doctor for further consultation on the best approach.
[page updated December 2008]