Hair Loss Treatment

This is a hereditary condition and one of the most common causes of hair loss. It presents differently in men and women. Someone experiencing male pattern baldness will have a receding hairline which is often accompanied by the appearance of bald spots on the top of the head. In women, the hair becomes thinner along the crown.

Male/female pattern baldness progresses gradually, rather than the hair suddenly falling out.

A person who has experienced shock or a stressful event may experience hair loss, sometimes many months after the event.

Stressful life events can lead to a form of patchy hair loss. It occurs suddenly and can be localised or widespread. Sometimes it may also affect body hair too. Thankfully this type of hair loss is temporary and the hair will grow back, although this may take time and varies from person to person. 

Shock, caused by an accident or some other trauma for example, can also cause delayed hair loss known as telogen alopecia. In this case, the hair starts to fall out several months after the incident. This is also temporary and the hair will eventually grow back.

There are a number of medical conditions which may be responsible for hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes the hair to fall out in round or oval patches on the scalp, beard and sometimes on other parts of the body too. Scalp infections, such as ringworm, and trichotillomania, a psychological condition that leads to an overwhelming urge to pull out hair, may also be responsible for hair loss.

Hormone-related hair loss is common in both sexes and may be caused by pregnancy, childbirth, menopause or thyroid problems. As part of the diagnostic process, tests may be carried out to test your hormone levels.

Extreme dieting may deliver the shock to the system that kick starts telogen alopecia. Losing weight in a steady, calorie-controlled diet is the best way to shed the pounds.

Iron deficiency can cause hair loss. This is only temporary and is usually easily treated with iron supplements and dietary changes.

Hair loss is a common side effect of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal and targeted (biological) therapy.

Frequently wearing your hair in hairstyles that pull the hair tight, such as ponytails or cornrows, may eventually cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Prolonged use of permanent hair dyes and hot oil treatments may also cause hair loss. Sometimes this hair loss can be permanent.

There are medications that are effective alopecia treatments. For male and female pattern baldness, minoxidil may be recommended. The liquid may slow the rate of hair loss, and may even encourage regrowth, but it will take at least six months before it starts to take effect. You will need to use this indefinitely. Men may also benefit from a prescription-only drug called finasteride. This daily medication may slow hair loss and encourage new hair growth. But once again it will take a number of months before the results start to show and you would need to keep taking it indefinitely.

Steroids can be injected straight into the area where a bald patch is present. It is commonly used as a treatment for alopecia areata of the scalp where less than 50% of the scalp has been affected, as well as alopecia areata of the eyebrows and alopecia areata of the beard. It is not a suitable treatment for male or female pattern hair loss, telogen alopecia or advanced traction alopecia. Steroid injections do not cure alopecia areata but they temporarily or permanently resolve a patch. More than one treatment is often required.

Topical steroids are creams, ointment, lotions, or foams that are applied directly to the scalp. Different strengths are available, depending on the type of alopecia that is being treated. Usually a very strong topical steroid is needed to treat alopecia areata. 

The aim of this hair loss treatment is to induce a local allergic skin reaction (contact dermatitis) that stimulates hair re-growth by distracting the immune system from attacking the hair follicles. 

A chemical is applied to a small area of the scalp or arm to make the person allergic to the substance. At a follow-up appointment, a weaker concentration is applied to the area of hair loss. It is washed off after 24 hours and a low-level allergic reaction will last for up to 36 hours. The strength of the medication may need to be increased in order to produce the desired effect, so several appointments may be required. This treatment has shown to be effective in patients with alopecia areata.

Also known as phototherapy, this type of treatment delivers a carefully measured dose of ultraviolet light to the patches of hair loss. Regular sessions will be needed for you to enjoy the full benefit of this treatment. 

In some cases, a hair transplant may be a suitable hair loss treatment. Donor hair is taken from thicker areas of the scalp and transplanted in the affected area. There are two different hair transplant techniques that are carried out at the Cadogan Clinic - Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). FUE involves removing individual hairs from the back of the neck and transplanting them using a specialist micro surgical needle. FUT involves the harvesting of a strip of hair from the back of the head. This is a popular treatment for male pattern baldness.

This is an invasive surgical procedure that involves ‘moving’ a naturally high hairline downwards. In this particular treatment, a strip of skin is removed from the forehead and the hairline is pulled down and stitched.