How to Regrow Hair

Balding generally has a significant effect on a man’s self-esteem because of the way baldness is perceived by society and consequently, how it is viewed aesthetically. Theories surrounding male baldness are often related to sexual selection presuming it is a sign of aging, lower fitness levels and therefore a reduced ability for a male to sexually reproduce.

Whatever the underlying reasons, there is most certainly a general perception that balding is unattractive and unhealthy looking. Most men find the prospect of a bald head quite intimidating and are willing to invest significant time and money into slowing or even better, reversing the process.

Cause

The most common type of hair loss is that which occurs naturally as men age. This is called Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern baldness) and is the genetic baldness caused by genes that determine whether we are more likely to lose hair when hormonal changes in the body take place. This increased genetic likelihood to balding can be inherited from both parents’ genes.

Baldness can also occur as a symptom of other illnesses, after surgery and during chemotherapy treatment.

Treatments & Cure

So the big question is “what is the cure for baldness”? The sad answer is, there is no cure as yet. If there were products to remedy baldness there would certainly be queues of people lining up for it. There is however a number of products and treatments on the market targeted towards treating hair loss. Some products are likely to exploit those desperate to regrow hair. Treatments are still quite expensive even though they are not cures as such.

Drugs are a popular and accessible means to treat alopecia. One of the most well-known over the counter drugs is Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine. The idea of this topical liquid is to both slow hair loss and regrow lost hair. The regrowth of hair will only happen with drugs like Rogaine during use of the product. Once use of the product ceases, so will any hair regrowth.

Some drugs used for hair loss require a prescription. Many of these work by blocking the hormones that lead to hair loss. They come with their fair share of potential side effects and will not be recommended to everyone.

Injections of Corticosteroids on a monthly basis are reported to stimulate new hair growth quickly compared to other methods just weeks after being administered.

Natural remedies for balding have gained more popularity in the last few years and though there seems to be support and success from people who have used these methods, no scientific research has backed them (that is not to say they do not work).

The use of garlic in shampoo, conditioner or when applied topically to the scalp has produced a buzz. Theories surrounding the effectiveness of garlic relate to its ability to stimulate the hair follicles, improve blood circulation to the hair or kill bacteria that may sometimes be responsible for hair loss. Other manufactured shampoo and conditioner such as the Nioxin range is also aimed at cleansing the scalp, making it healthy and improving the circulating to hair follicles.

Application of grape seed oil to the scalp in various ways is another treatment that many claim can return good coverage of hair on the scalp.

It has even been said that hair loss along with other ailments that occur in the body are a direct result of a bad diet and deficiencies in certain vitamins (even the slightest). It is then believed that improving the diet, perhaps utilizing supplements, can stop hair loss and regrow lost hair naturally.

Hair Replacement Therapy

When talking about hair replacement therapy, we are referring to the use of laser, drug and hair transplant techniques.

Some companies will offer laser treatments that seem to lack much in the way of scientific or credible personal reports. The idea behind lasers is that they stimulate existing hair so that it grows back thicker and fuller.

A hair toupee/hair piece does not often go unnoticed and some companies have been known to charge extravagant amounts with a high profit margin. The adage that you get what you pay for does not seem to apply here as even the most high quality wigs can be made for around a hundred dollars rather than a thousand. They may also require a great deal of ongoing maintenance and costs.

Hair transplants are a good more permanent option than paying ongoing large amounts of money for a hair piece. They can look quite natural particularly with the progress in technology that utilizes smaller plugs then those in the past.

Tips to avoid hair loss

• Avoid wearing caps
• Do not over treat your hair with colors or other chemicals on a frequent basis
• Keep a healthy diet
• Do not pull or stretch away at your hair (this includes styles such as tight pony tails)
• Before considering any type of hair loss treatment, talk to your doctor, particularly if you plan to use drugs