In August 2001, the American Academy of Dermatology declared National Hair Loss Awareness Month to raise awareness about this very common problem and its treatments. hair loss It is something that millions of people of all genders and ages experience. Experts estimate that around 60 million men, 40 million women and as many as 2 million children suffer from some degree of hair loss. Many of those who suffer from hair loss may not seek appropriate treatment because of the stigma and treatments surrounding hair loss. The goal is to break down these barriers and educate those who suffer. Read on to learn about the history of hair loss and its many treatments over the years, as well as proven modern treatments.
A Brief History of Hair Loss Treatments
Since history was written, treatments for hair loss have been described, some of which date back to 3000 BC and date back to records of using the first wigs and hairpieces. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, rubbed a mixture of opium, horseradish, beetroot, various spices, and pigeon droppings on a balding person’s head. Needless to say, this solution was not very effective. In ancient India, it was believed that standing on your head would stimulate hair growth. The ancient Celts had a ritual of filling rats in a jar and burying them in a fire. It was believed that digging it after a year would cure the baldness. Another not-so-appealing tradition comes from China, where animal testicles are mixed in safflower oil with rosemary and other herbs to massage the scalp.
The Most Common Types of Hair Loss and Causes
The most common type of hair loss is due to heredity and hormonal changes, and this is male and female pattern hair loss. This type of hair loss typically starts with mild symptoms in men in their 20s-30s. It can start in women in their 30s but is most common after menopause. Telogen effluvium is another common type of hair loss caused by a stressful event or medical problem. In this type, too many hair follicles go into the resting phase at the same time, causing intense hair loss with little or no new growth. This hair loss typically resolves after the triggering event has passed. Hair loss can also be caused by autoimmune reactions. Alopecia totalis is a type that causes complete hair loss from the scalp, while alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss. Scalp infections such as ringworm can also cause hair loss.
Hair Loss Treatment Options
Fortunately, hair loss treatment no longer requires rubbing strange mixtures on your scalp or standing on your head. Today’s hair loss treatments have been proven to be safe and effective. Which treatment is right for you will depend on the cause and severity of your hair loss.
Hair Replacement- If your hair loss is excessive or complete, or if you need quick results, a hair transplant may be the best option for you. Modern wigs and hairpieces look completely natural and give instant results. Wigs have the advantage that you can completely change your hair color or style in just a few minutes whenever you want.
PRP or Platelet-Rich Plasma- There are naturally occurring stem cells and growth factors in your blood that affect hair growth. PRP treatments isolate these compounds and use them to accelerate new growth in hair follicles.
Low Level Laser Light Therapy- LLHT treatments use a low-level laser to deliver light energy to the hair follicles. This stimulates circulation and activates resting hair follicles to promote hair growth.
Scalp Micropigmentation- This is a minimally invasive treatment that creates the illusion of fuller hair. He used needles the width of a human hair to deliver a special semi-permanent pigment just below the skin’s surface to visually fill in fine spots and make them less noticeable.
medicines- When the cause of hair loss is autoimmune, medications such as steroid injections may be needed to stop the body from attacking its own hair follicles. Scalp infections such as ringworm should be treated with antifungal medications. If left untreated, the infection can spread and cause further hair loss and even spread to other parts of the body.
Hair Transplant- If you have thicker areas and some thin or bald areas, a hair transplant will help fix everything. Hair is taken from thicker areas and transferred to thinner areas to fill these areas. This surgical treatment can be combined with other less invasive treatments for greater effect.
Whatever the cause of your hair loss, there is a treatment that can help restore your hair and restore your confidence and self-esteem. Hair restoration specialists Hair Transplantation Institute will assess your hair loss and help you identify the best treatments to give you thicker, fuller hair. You can find us in Bloomington, MN at 8030 Old Cedar Ave S Ste 202 or call 612-588-HAIR (4247) to schedule a private, free consultation with one of our relevant hair loss specialists.