Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can be caused by a number of factors, including stress, genetics, medication or medical treatments, or certain hairstyling habits. In most cases, hair loss cannot be reversed naturally, but there are treatments that can treat hair loss and baldness, no matter the cause.
Genetics is the most common cause of hair loss. Hereditary hair loss that occurs with age is caused by a condition known as androgenic alopecia, also called male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. The condition can often be visibly identified by the fact that it occurs in predictable patterns, usually affecting the hairline in men and the crown of the head in women.
Major life changes that also cause hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy or menopause, or medical issues such as thyroid conditions, can result in hair loss. In addition, a condition known as alopecia areata can cause patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm, and trichotillomania, which is a hair-pulling disorder.
Some medications list hair loss as a potential side effect. Certain medicines used to treat cancer, arthritis, some heart conditions, depression, and high blood pressure may cause hair loss. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise whether any medications you are taking may result in hair loss.
If you are undergoing radiation therapy to the head or near the head, you will likely experience hair loss. In these cases, hair may grow back, but it may not grow back the way it was prior to the radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
In some cases, individuals who have experienced sudden, stressful events or those who suffer from stress or anxiety over a long period of time may experience hair loss. Hair loss from stress can be caused by telogen effluvium, a condition that pushes hair follicles into a resting phase, or by alopecia areata. Trichotillomania, a hair-pulling disorder, can also be triggered by stress.
Some hairstyling practices, including tight braids or ponytails, or harsh chemical treatments, can result in hair loss.
There are three types of hair loss:
In some cases, such as with genetics or necessary medical treatment, hair loss is not preventable. However, you can take steps to prevent or reduce receding hair or hair loss by reducing or eliminating harsh chemical treatments or styling practices, such as perms or tools like curling irons, protecting your hair from sunlight, and speaking with your doctor about supplements that may encourage hair growth.
If you are experiencing or have experienced significant hair loss, you can restore your hair using several surgical options.
Hair transplant surgery is the most common type of surgical solution to hair loss. During this procedure, hair is removed from one part of the head (often the back of the head) and transplanted to the area where hair loss occurs.
There are two types of hair transplants: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). An FUE procedure involves the individual extraction of hair follicles, which are then transplanted elsewhere on the scalp, while a FUT procedure involves removing a long strip of the scalp, separating the follicles, and then transplanting them.
While hair transplant surgery will help to restore fullness to the scalp and hairline, hair loss will continue to progress if its cause is hereditary. More than one procedure may be needed.
Some studies have shown that low-level laser treatments to the scalp can improve hair density.
If you are unsure of whether a surgical procedure is right for you, there are some non-surgical options you can investigate.
Some prescription medications can help prevent or treat hair loss. These include minoxidil, a drug developed to treat high blood pressure that also stimulates hair growth and prolongs the growth period of hair. Minoxidil is most effective in individuals who are under 40 years of age. Because it is intended to treat high blood pressure, a prescription for hair loss would be considered an off-label treatment.
Finasteride (often sold as Propecia) is another medication that can be prescribed to treat hair loss, specifically male-pattern baldness.
Other non-prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements, such as biotin or Rogaine, may help address hair loss.
Wigs and hairpieces can be purchased to cover up baldness. In many cases, wigs can be custom designed to mimic your natural hair’s appearance and can be made from a variety of materials, including human hair.
Check out our before and after section here!
At SpaMedica, the amount it will cost to address your hair loss depends on the treatment you choose. Generally, surgical hair-loss prevention procedures begin around $5,000.
At SpaMedica, we offer a number of hair transplant solutions that can help restore your confidence and self-assuredness. Contact us to schedule a consultation for your hair loss treatment today.
FUE Hair Transplant stands for Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant. Hair follicles come in strands of one, two, three or four hair units that are rooted together.
The ARTAS Hair Transplant System is an automatic robotic device that extracts healthy hair follicles that are harvested and implanted in the designated area. It is one of the most advanced FUE Hair Transplant and Restoration systems available today on the market.
The NeoGraft is a robotic hair transplant system that extracts hair follicles from the scalp or other areas to be implanted on the designated spot.
