Hair Loss Prevention
by Paul
Before discussing hair loss prevention it is important to discuss the causes of hair loss first. Once you know what causes hair loss you can start looking for solutions and start taking any possible steps to help prevent hair loss.
Our hair naturally goes through cycles of growth, known as anagen, and rest, known as telogen. The length of these cycles will vary from one individual to another, but generally speaking the hair growth phase will last about 2 or more years and the resting phase will last a few months. Once the resting phase has ended the strand of hair falls out and a new hair will begin to grow. Most people lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair a day as part of this natural hair loss and growth cycle.
It is normal to experience some hair thinning as we age, but when there is more shedding than hair regrowth on a regular basis the thought of balding or excessive hair loss or thinning becomes a serious concern.
What Causes Hair Loss?
When reading about the causes of hair loss you will commonly see the term alopecia. Alopecia is simply the medical term for hair loss, so alopecia prevention and hair loss prevention refer to the same thing. Hair loss, or alopecia, is caused by a variety of factors ranging from genetics to environmental factors.
Of all the hair loss causes the number one is genetics. Androgenetic alopecia, or AGA, is the most common cause of hair loss. It is usually referred to as male-patterned baldness, or female-patterned baldness; it’s the one that runs in the family.
Other causes of hair loss include extreme stress (either physical or emotional), hormonal changes, an autoimmune condition, scarring, infections such as ringworm, medications, certain medical treatments, tight hairstyles or over-processing hair and poor nutrition to name a few.
Hair Loss Prevention Help
An important part of preventing hair loss is to diagnose early if you suspect there may be a problem. In some cases hair loss in men and hair loss in women is temporary, so you may need to treat or wait for the next natural hair growth cycle and use hair loss treatments or hair loss prevention products in the meantime to minimize the appearance of thinning hair.
Unfortunately with some causes of hair loss there is no easy way to prevent hair loss, and there is no hair loss remedy that works perfectly for each and every person. But there are studies that show specific hair loss treatments are effective for many people.
Using hair loss products with minoxidil, like Rogaine or Provillus, has been an effective way for many people to stop hair loss and to promote new hair growth. Others have had success with things like laser hair restoration or hair transplant surgery. Some have had luck with hair growth supplements or hair growth shampoo, but these tend to be less effective for the majority of people.
Hair loss prevention for women can even be more desperate than hair loss prevention for men because society views balding women differently than balding men. But in either case balding or thinning hair can be devastating to the emotional well being of anyone experiencing the effects of it.
Another great resource for information on the various types of alopecia, hair loss prevention or hair restoration is the American Hair Loss Association. They also specifically discuss hair loss in women and hair loss in men.
Latest Hair Loss News on the Web:
- Local Application of Combination of Minoxidil and Finesteride
Small study showing that Minoxidil combined with Tretinoin and Finasteride increases the effectiveness for hair loss. - Results of a placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride.
The importance of dual 5alpha-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride. - Association of androgenetic alopecia and hypertension.
Study showing an association between hair loss and high blood pressure.
Hair Loss Prevention Tips
While there is no sure fire way to prevent hair loss here are some hair loss prevention tips:
- Find ways to handle or reduce stress so it doesn’t take a toll on your body.
- Treat scalp infections, especially ringworm, right away.
- Don’t wear hairstyles that pull or stress the hair, like ponytails or cornrows.
- Avoid chemical hair treatments like perms or hair colors.
- Be gentle with your hair and allow it to air dry when possible. Don’t pull, twist or roughly brush your hair.
- Eat a healthy diet that is nutritionally balanced. Avoid crash diets or fad diets.
- Talk to hair care experts about styling techniques or hairpieces that can reduce the look of thinning hair.
- Consider using minoxidil (Rogaine) for the prevention of hair loss and to promote hair growth.
Hair Loss Treatment
If you are concerned about your appearance and want to stop hair loss consider using hair loss products that have good reviews. Unfortunately different products work for different people, so it can be difficult to define the best hair loss prevention products. Hair loss prevention shampoo has been effective for some people, hair loss prevention vitamins for others, but the absolute best hair loss product can be difficult to define.
Some prefer to use natural hair loss treatments such as a hair loss prevention diet that will promote new hair growth, or hair loss supplements and natural hair loss shampoo along with other natural hair loss remedies.
Hair loss products that have been proven to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth in some include minoxidil like Provillus or Rogaine, or medications like Finasteride, more commonly known as Propecia or Proscar. Another hair loss medication that looks promising as a non surgical hair restoration option is Dutasteride, otherwise known as Avodart, but right now it is still in trial phase as an alopecia treatment. Laser hair restoration has also shown to be successful for some with regular use of an FDA approved laser comb. For many the best hair loss treatment option is surgery for hair transplant or hair restoration — there have been some great advancements with FUE hair transplant in particular. But be sure to consult your doctor about the benefits and side effects of any of these hair loss prevention options.