Common Treatments For Hair Loss
In Women
By Richard
Mitchell
Much has been said and written about modern day hair
loss treatments but this tends to relate almost exclusively
to men. Do these same treatments offer solutions to women
suffering from hair loss or is there a completely different
category of remedies available? It really depends on what
is causing hair loss in the first place and as the most
common causes of hair loss are the same as those that
affect men, the treatments available are pretty similar.
In an earlier article we concluded that the three most
common causes of hair loss in women are female pattern
baldness, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. We'll
now look at each of these in turn and examine the best
treatments available, bearing in mind the specific needs
of women:
1. Treatments for female pattern baldness.
In most instances minoxidil (Rogaine) is the first treatment
used. This is one of only two FDA approved hair loss treatments
and it remains the only one approved for use by women.
Minoxidil comes in the form of a topical solution that
works by tackling the symptoms of hair loss and helping
to generate new hair growth. It does not target the causes
of hair loss and will not work for everyone. The women's
version of minoxidil is a 2% solution but the 5% version
marketed for men can be used if necessary.
The most popular drug for treating male pattern baldness
is of course finasteride (Propecia). Women of child bearing
age should not use this drug due to the severely damaging
effects it can have on unborn male fetuses. Any women
considering using Propecia should discuss it first with
their physician. In some cases your doctor may prescribe
a different androgen blocker called spironolactone as
a means of stopping the hormone activity that is causing
hair loss. Spironolactone is normally used as a diuretic
and results may be variable.
There is a bewildering range of commercial products
available, most of which are aimed squarely at men but
many are also suitable for women to use. Whether they
work or not is another question but some products containing
ingredients like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pygeum
and green tea have shown their value. You can find out
more about these and other poential hair loss solutions
by visiting the site listed at the end of this article.
2. Treatments for telogen effluvium
This is a hair loss condition that generally does not
require any specific treatment. Once the effects of the
trauma that caused hair loss in the first place have subsided,
the hair will regrow of its own accord. Some patients
like to encourage the regrowth process by using minoxidil
but this isn't necessary. Implementing a good nutritional
regime and supplementing with B-vitamins may help to create
a hair friendly environment.
3. Treatments for alopecia areata.
This is another hair loss condition that may resolve
itself spontaneously. In some cases one of the following
treatments may prove useful:
- Daily application of minoxidil (Rogaine).
- Injection of cortisone into patchy areas of the scalp
(this must be administered by a physician). Creams and
lotions containing cortisone can also be used but results
are variable.
- Dithranol can be applied to the scalp in mild or early
cases.
- Application of 100% aloe vera gel.
- Massage the scalp with rosemary and lavender essential
oils in a jojoba base.
- Use of a hair loss product containing the Chinese
herb He Shou Wu.
- A product called Calosol has recently generated positive
feedback.
Please note, however, that none of these is guaranteed
to work due to the unpredictable nature of alopecia areata.
It is this uncertainty that offers opportunities for scamsters
to make outlandish claims. The fact remains, there are
no miracle cures for advanced forms of alopecia areata
so sufferers may wish to consider other options such as
head coverings and wigs.
This does not mean that patients are without hope because,
even in severe cases, hair can spontaneously start to
grow again even after years of loss.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com/ website
that provides information and guidance to those suffering
from premature hair loss. Please go to Hair Loss Treatments for Women to find out
more about the issues covered in this article.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
