Thinning or balding hair can happen to anyone at any time. It can be triggered by genetics, stress, or a traumatic event. Regardless of its underlying cause, losing hair can be panicking. Whether your locks have thinned out all over or you have a noticeable receding hairline, you may feel compelled to action. Fortunately, there are a variety of hair regrowth options at your disposal. From taking medication to making lifestyle changes, here are three techniques for restoring your crowning glory.
1. Use Hair Growth Medication
Hair loss has plagued humanity for many years, prompting researchers to come up with a solution. Unfortunately, there is still no instant cure for balding or thinning hair (beyond wearing a wig). However, there are medications that can help with hair regrowth over time. Two of the most popular are minoxidil and finasteride. Here’s what to know about these medications and how they can help you reach your hair restoration goals.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which means it improves blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels. It is commonly used to treat high blood pressure, but it also shows great results for pattern hair loss. It works by stimulating the hair follicles and encouraging the regrowth of stronger, thicker strands. Topical 2% or 5% minoxidil solutions are FDA-approved for treating hair loss.
Finasteride
Like minoxidil, finasteride is approved by the FDA for treating hair loss. But it is only approved for use by males. Finasteride is not safe for females of child-bearing age because it can cause birth defects. Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, meaning that it blocks dihydrotestosterone. DHT is one hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. By blocking it, finasteride may prevent further hair loss.
2. Try Hair Loss Surgery
Hair loss medication may not provide satisfactory results for everyone who tries it. If you need another solution for your hair-thinning problem, surgery may be a viable option. There are several different hair restoration surgeries out there. It’s important to understand how they each work so you can select the right course of action for your situation. Here is a brief overview of the different hair surgeries available to you.
Hair Transplantation
If you want the most natural-looking results, consider getting a hair transplant. You can choose between follicular unit transplant and follicular unit extraction. FUT, also occasionally called strip surgery, involves taking a strip of hair-covered skin from a donor area (usually the back of the scalp). Then, the donor skin is separated into tiny units of several hair follicles each before being transplanted into the desired area.
FUE is a similar procedure. But instead of taking a strip of skin from the donor area, a surgeon removes individual follicles. Then, the surgeon transplants those individual follicles to the desired treatment area. This technique results in less trauma and scarring to the donor area. When FUE is performed by a skilled surgeon, the end results can be exceptional.
Scalp Reduction
Scalp reduction is a surgical procedure for balding that involves removing areas of the scalp impacted by hair loss. Then, areas of the scalp with dense hair are stretched and sutured to replace the removed pieces of skin. Scalp reduction may provide good results for some people. However, the surgery can be intense and comes with a heightened risk of cosmetic complications. There is also an increased risk of blood flow disruption and hair regrowth in unnatural directions after this surgery.
Flap Surgery
Flap surgery for hair loss involves relocating a large flap of intact scalp from the side of the head to the front of the head. This surgery quickly covers up signs of balding and may be a viable solution for those with a receding hairline. However, it is a risky surgery that could result in unnatural hair regrowth, extensive scarring, and potential death of the flap tissue. Your surgeon may recommend safer procedures such as FUT or FUE over flap surgery.
3. Make Lifestyle Changes
You may have more control over the health and thickness of your hair than you realize. Depending on the underlying cause of your thinning hair, certain lifestyle changes may aid your hair regrowth journey.
Diet
One of the most important lifestyle factors affecting hair health is diet. If your daily meals mostly consist of fried foods and takeout, consider making a switch. Eating a nutritious diet that’s rich in B vitamins, vitamin A, and zinc helps ensure your body has what it needs to produce hair. If you struggle with nutrient deficiencies, taking a multivitamin may also help boost hair growth.
Stress
Stress is another major factor contributing to hair loss. If you are dealing with chronic stress, finding ways to reduce it can benefit your hairline. Consider deep breathing exercises, trying a new hobby, or spending more time with loved ones.
Hair Care Practices
The way you treat your hair can also contribute to loss. Cutting back on hair colouring appointments and other harsh hair treatments can give your hair time to heal. Avoid tight hairstyles that pull at the follicles. Wearing tight ponytails, braids, or cornrows can lead to hair loss called traction alopecia. Wear your hair naturally every once in a while, if you can.
Healing any part of your body takes time. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect any of the above changes to immediately reverse hair loss. But with patience and persistence, the above lifestyle choices may eventually help you get your gorgeous locks back.
Get Your Hair Back
Losing your hair can feel like a helpless and hopeless experience. But for many people, it doesn’t have to be permanent. Whether you’ve developed bald or thinning areas due to genetics or some type of traumatic event, prompt action can make all the difference. Try one or more of the techniques to stop hair loss in its tracks and restore your hair.
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