There are many remedies advertised against hair loss, all the way from shampoo to hair transplants. Some are greatly effective, others less so and some are real remedies, whereas others may be made up. So then how is it possible to choose the most appropriate remedy for one’s own hair loss problems over so many options? It is important to consult with an experienced dermatologist who can diagnose the cause and from there, provide the best and most effective remedy to stop or counter hair loss. Hair loss is higher in the fall and spring and currently the number of individuals suffering from such a condition is greatly rising. However, hair loss is typically seasonal, temporary and reversible and can be dealt with in a certain way. It is believed, however, that androgenetic alopecia or baldness occurs when the hair that falls out cannot be replaced and does not grow back. We have examined the subject with prof. Marcello Monti, Senior Consultant of Dermatology at the Humanitas Clinical Institute and Professor of Dermatology at the University of Milan.
What is the first thing to do in case of hair loss?
“First thing I suggest you do is not to get overwhelmed by hair loss and panic”. In fact, this condition is psychosomatic and accentuates the fall. If you find that your hair is falling or thinning, it is important to immediately visit a dermatologist in order to explore the main cause of the condition. The remedies are in fact closely related to the causes themselves. It should be noted that there are many factors responsible for hair loss including: genetic predisposition (most important), hormones or rather the body’s response to hormones, nutrition of the blood to the hair, drastic diets causing numerous deficiencies (especially iron deficiency), prolonged stress as well as the use of certain drugs. Even surgery, psychological trauma or physical trauma can cause a period of hair loss, as well as the period immediately after childbirth, with its sudden hormonal changes.”
What can be done to limit or prevent hair loss?
“When determining the cause, it is important to act upon it. Therefore, if it is a problem related to hormones, the use of certain drugs can help block the signal emitted by them on the hair. For example, in women with ovarian disorder, it is necessary to prescribe a contraceptive pill, putting the ovaries and hormones they produce, at rest. In other individuals, the drug of choice may be finasteride, which is a drug also used to reduce prostate size. If, however, the cause is the blood circulation, it acts with the so-called blood thinners such as aspirin derivatives. If hair loss occurs due to nutritional deficiencies, replenishing deficiencies in the body can help. Finally, if hair loss occurs due to an illness or medication, curing the disease itself or changing medications may be necessary. If there is a strong genetic predisposition, ie the so-called androgenic alopecia, then it is much more difficult to limit or prevent hair loss and in such cases, it may be necessary to undergo hair transplantation: transplanting micrograft “healthy” hairs (taken from the back of the neck) in order to give the effective or a completely natural look and ensure normal hair growth without the risk of hair loss reoccurrence.”
Are medicated shampoos or supplements useful against hair loss?
“Medicated shampoo (and lotions) or supplements only help support the real cure for hair loss. These products can be used in cases where hair loss is seasonal or if it is linked to certain factors such as stress, childbirth or drastic diets, for which the body needs to get back into proper shape. ”
It is possible to prevent hair loss?
“Unfortunately, in most cases hair loss is not preventable, though other times it may not be so predictable. For example, in the telogen effluvium , a common form of hair loss in women, the hair starts to fall out in clumps without warning and often without a known cause. You can understand the panic that this event can generate in women. They begin to imagine themselves bald and wearing a wig. Fortunately, this form of hair loss is auto reversible, although it may take a prolonged period of time.”
What does trichotillomania hair loss mean?
“This name means “continued hair pulling traction”. In practice, it is a tic disorder, usually unconscious, where children and adolescents begin to curl one or more strands of hair on fingers exerting traction. Repeating the gesture several times a day can lead to hair loss. There is no need to fear however, since hair will grow back once the nervous tic ends.”
When an individual’s head is completely lacking of hair, what is this called?
“When you can see a complete loss of scalp hair, this can be Alopecia Areata. It is a hair growth disorder (which also includes shaving) that is caused by a psychosomatic event- a sort of unconscious desire to get rid of annexes and have skin as smooth as that of a baby’s. Although such cases are referred to as “anomalies”, an individual’s mind may be completely healthy.”
It is true that beauty treatments promote hair loss?
“Basically, this is not true, or rather permanent dyes, highlights, lacquers and gums do not damage hair. There are, however, certain hot irons that can cause burns with scars where the hair does not grow back as well as some ethnic hairstyles completely unsuitable for our hair type.”
