Let's talk about how to treat hair loss.
It is common among women to want longer, stronger and more beautiful hair. We take vitamins, use deep conditioners, start wild hair care routines, all to give ourselves dream hair. But the question is, are they working? If they aren't working, what will?
Here we will cover the top "at home" treatments used and if they work. We'll also cover how to make them work or make them work better.
Before you spend time and money on a new product/treatment for hair growth, you need to be sure of what may be affecting your hair growth in the first place. The best way to get this information is from a Hair Loss Specialist or Trichologist. These professionals are trained to evaluate your lifestyle, current and historical health, and current symptoms, to determine likely causes for hair issues and help you find the solution.
So, before you choose one of these options consider an appointment with a specialist to help you choose the right option for you. As always it is best to talk to your doctor before starting any supplements.
Biotin -
Most commonly we see people who start taking biotin supplements to encourage hair growth. Biotin is great for hair, skin and nails, however B vitamins are not stored in the body. They are used as they are metabolized. Additionally, B vitamins work together so if you are deficient in other B vitamins and you're taking a biotin supplement you are likely not getting the benefits of the biotin. The solution? A B-complex or multivitamin. This will ensure you get all of your recommended B vitamins, then you can supplement on top of that if needed.
Hair supplements or hair, skin and nail supplements-
These often have many additional vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health similar to a multivitamin. The balance of vitamins and minerals ensure that you are reaching the recommended daily allowance for a larger variety of vitamins and minerals used by the whole body. We love the XTC Supplements available to order through our salon or Nutrafol Supplements (you can use this link for the best pricing).
Specialty Shampoo and Conditioner -
This will depend on what is the cause for slow growth or thinning. If the slow growth or thinning is caused by a health condition, internally shampoo and conditioner alone are not going to fix the problem but they can help with external symptoms like irritated skin, or clogged follicles and block some of the DHT forming in the follicles that can lead to hair loss. Our favorite DHT blocking shampoo is XTC BioCure Shampoo, available in the salon
Rosemary oil -
Rosemary oil has been shown to help with hair growth and is a great starting option. Rosemary oil should not be used alone, it should always be mixed with a carrier oil, and you should not use it if you are pregnant or nursing. Rosemary can also be irritating if you are suffering from other scalp conditions. This is a great option with minimal ingredients available on Amazon.
Targeted Topicals -
Topical treatments can also be very effective in strengthening the hair and keeping hair in the growth phase longer and encourages hair strength starting at the follicle. The key to having success with targeted topicals is consistent use. Typically you will see improvements to the naked eye between 3 and 6 months. A favorite targeted topical of ours is the Nutrafol Growth Activator, it uses Ashwagandha, Pea Sprouts, and Sea Buckthorn to nourish the hair, and scalp to boost cell renewal and the overall health of the hair and scalp. We also love the XTC Xtreme Growth Therapy available in the salon.
Minoxidil & Finasteride-
These are both products that can be used topically or taken orally, as prescriptions. They are both VERY effective treatments especially for those dealing with genetic hair loss (male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness etc). They can also be used together orally and topically because while they treat the same issues they target the issue differently. When taken orally, both can have major side effects so you should definitely have a serious talk with your doctor first. If you are treating genetic hair loss, you will want to choose a treatment you can use long term. When you are dealing with genetic hair loss, if you stop the treatment your hair loss will continue. There are many options available we have XTC Xtreme Hair Boost in the salon, it combines with natural extracts to block DHT and encourage growth.
Low Level Laser Therapy-
Low level laser therapy is an extremely effective treatment for hair loss. In studies it has been found to be extremely effective for male and female pattern baldness, and most studies show that a large majority of participants have improvement with continued use. LLLT has no known side effects and can be done at home. It can also be combined with most other hair loss therapies. We offer multiple laser options through the salon, with something to fit every budget and need. .
Platelet Rich Plasma-
Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is a therapy done by doctors to treat hair loss . First your blood is drawn, then processed then injected into the areas for treatment. The thought is taking the PRP and injecting into the area gives that area lots of new stem cells to regenerate. This therapy has been used in treatment of sports injuries for decades, and while some patients have success using it for hair loss, it is a very expensive treatment.
Hair Transplants-
For those who are good candidates, hair transplants can be life changing. In this procedure healthy growing hairs are taken from another part of the body (typically the back of the head) and placed in the bald or thinning areas. This is an expensive procedure and while there isn't real 'down time' most people don't want to leave the house with fresh transplants. The other issue, is depending on how advanced your thinning is you may not be a candidate for the procedure. While they can transplant hair from other parts of the body to the head, this is only really an option for those who wear their hair short otherwise the texture and growth potential for the hair would be much different that the hair that typically grows on the head.
If you're unaware of the reason behind your hair loss and what option would be best for you, you can now book a Hair & Scalp analysis with us.