Treating Baldness: The Alternatives

The two most commonly prescribed methods to treat baldness are medications and hair transplantation.

WARNING: While many opt for the clinical operations, some go for the across-the-counter medications. There are still quite a few who choose to wear wigs or move about flaunting their baldness as they fear the after-effects of the clinical processes. Baldness is deemed fashionable too. So, check out whether you back up the first group or join the second and safer option. Obviously, you should consult your physician before popping in any pill or applying any cream or unilaterally dish out money for any cosmetic surgery. There may be side effects.

Also known alopecia, this hair loss syndrome can affect only the scalp or the entire body. It can be partial or total as well as temporary or permanent. Among the known causes of hair loss are hereditary factors, diseases affecting the entire body, aging, scalp disorders, reaction to drugs and ionizing radiation.

HAIR TRANSPLANTATION: This is a purely cosmetic surgery. There are various processes of doing this meticulous office technique. This technique was developed in the 1950s to compensate for male pattern baldness. It involves the removal of small tufts of hair containing active follicles, mostly from the back of the head. The tufts are then grafted to bald areas. From 200 to 300 tufts are usually required, and the grafting sessions take place once or twice a week. In a similar operation, the surgeon grafts 15 to 20 discs of 3.5 mm hair-bearing skin from a fertile area to the bald spot. Hair grows in the targeted site. On the flip side, it needs to be mentioned that the cultivated portion even after a successful operation does not closely resemble a full head of natural hair. Nonetheless, clients consider the result a distinct cosmetic improvement.

MEDICATION: You need to consult the physician prior to taking any drugs. Here we are just mentioning the facts about certain medications. Many physicians prescribe regular application of the cream containing the drug minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) as an alternative to hair transplantation. This drug was originally developed to fight hypertension. Minoxidil needs to be applied daily over a period of months to prevent further baldness, or grow hair again. The claims of the manufacturers with reference to hair growth are yet to be clinically established, though.

In 1997 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug finasteride for treating baldness. It is marketed under the brand name Propecia. The manufacturers of this drug claim that this prescription medication prevents hair loss due to hereditary male pattern baldness.

One needs to take a small daily dose. The FDA also recommended that women of childbearing age must avoid contact with the drug as Finasteride does not prevent baldness in women, and especially because it has been associated with birth defects.