Hair Loss Products and Treatments: Don’t Be Scammed
When faced with hair loss or alopecia areata, it can be tough to know where to turn for help. And while there are plenty of treatments out there, it can also be tough to tell the effective ones from the scams. Here’s what you need to know.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter treatments for hair loss. You can find Minoxidil in products like Rogaine at your local drug store. While there have been decent results for hair growth at the top and crown of the head using this product, there’s an unfortunate catch. Not only does this product need to be applied twice daily with consistency, but it can take up to six months to see any results. In addition, if use of this product is stopped, any new hair growth will likely fall out again in three months or so. After that, the cycle of hair loss will start once again. If your hair loss is very mild and you have the patience to apply this product twice daily for the foreseeable future, it could offer some results. But at the end of the day, it’s not going to stimulate new, healthy hair growth that will stay on your head.
Finasteride
Finasteride, also known as Propecia, is another common treatment for hair loss. The biggest difference between this treatment and minoxidil is that finasteride is administered in the form of a pill that is taken orally. While it may seem like a more convenient hair loss treatment, it’s not designed for everyone. In fact, this pill is designed exclusively to treat hair loss in men. While taking this pill, it’s possible to experience the slowing of hair loss, but it likely won’t completely stop conditions like alopecia areata. In addition, it may take months before any results begin to manifest on your scalp. And just like minoxidil, this treatment must be administered daily for the foreseeable future. If you stop taking this medication for hair loss, new hair growth will cease and you will enter the hair loss cycle once again. In addition, this treatment is even less effective in men over 60. While this isn’t your typical over-the-counter treatment, it’s not necessarily the most effective, either.
PRP Therapy
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is one of the most fascinating methods of treating hair loss. And it is by no means a scam. In fact, this is one of the most legitimate forms of hair loss treatment you can invest in. Essentially, this treatment is using the power of your own body to help regrow healthy hair. This procedure involves having blood drawn, spun in a centrifuge, and separated from the plasma inside, which is filled with platelets. This substance is called platelet rich plasma (PRP). Once separated, the PRP from your own blood is injected into the area of your scalp that’s being affected by hair loss. One of the biggest reasons this treatment is popular is that it utilizes growth factors that your body naturally produces to help stimulate and sustain hair follicle function. If you’re comfortable with injections, this could be an excellent treatment option for you.
Hair loss can take such a toll on your self esteem that it can feel like you’d do just about anything to grow it back. If you’re tired of false promises and scam treatments, set up a consultation with a member of our team at SE Dermatology Specialists today.