When a man starts to lose his hair it is no laughing matter even though everyone, including your fat brother-in-law, makes jokes about it. Studies have indicated that men with balding on their heads are often times assumed to be 10 to 15 years older than their actual age. It is not wonder men have been searching for the best hair loss treatment for years. In fact, ancient Egyptians had their own hair loss treatments over 5000 years ago.

Luckily for us there are better solutions now than their remedy of cow dung and animal blood (although some of the stuff advertised on the internet makes you wonder sometimes). The vast majority of balding problems, about 95%, are caused by a genetic condition known as androgenic alopecia. Also called male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss, this condition is tied to the amount of a hormonal substance called DHT, dihydrotestosterone, found in the body. The DHT is what is responsible for the dieing of hair follicles on certain areas of the head as men who suffer from this problem have microscopic receptors on their hair roots that the DHT bonds to. As more and more DHT builds up the follicle eventually can no longer produce hair shaft material, keratin, and the hair withers away and falls out. When looking for the best treatment for hair loss you can either limit the amount of DHT produced or you can protect the hair follicles from attack. There are drugs for both conditions but the key is to start treatment early. Once the hair falls out neither of these methods will re-grow the hair and you will be forced to look at hair restoration surgery.

The drug that does the best job of limiting the DHT level is called Finasteride and it has been approved as a hair loss treatment by the US FDA. Originally, this drug was developed as a treatment for enlarged male prostate as there is also a connection between DHT and this condition. During treatment it was found that men with male pattern baldness saw relief from their hair loss. Further studies indicated the drug could in fact help with hair loss in men. Unfortunately for women, this drug can not be used to treat female pattern hair loss in women of child bearing age because of the possibility of birth defects.

Another drug, Minoxidil, that has been approved by the FDA actually helps to limit the reception of the DHT by the hair follicles or roots. This is usually applied in a 5% topical solution to the scalp twice a day. Unlike Finasteride, Minoxidil is save for females and in fact is the best hair loss treatment for women. Minoxidil is not as effective as the first drug with only about 50% of men seeing relief but it does not have the potential side effects of Finasteride either.

If you don’t start either of treatments early enough you will be forced to look at more drastic measures. Once the hair follicles dies the only option is hair transplantation. This method involves removing hairs from one area of the scalp and placing them in the bald area. This is the best hair loss treatment once the hair has completely fallen and you hear people calling you chrome dome.

Some of the reason that you may be experiencing thinning or balding problems could be hormonal, medical, or external. It is very common for a woman to experience thinning hair due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and birth. This is interesting because a woman’s hair usually is very healthy during the pregnancy due to the inclusion of prenatal vitamins. After the birth though, due to physical changes and possibly stress and worry, the new mother can experience hair thinning. This condition will usually right itself in a few months.

There also can be marked hair loss during menopause due to the changes in a woman’s hormonal chemistry. This can be alleviated with treatments prescribed by your health care provider. If you are in middle age and starting to see thinning hair or balding talk to your doctor immediately. He or she can help you develop a female hair loss treatment for this time in your life.

Another common cause of hair loss is due to medical procedures and treatments. For example, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can both be causes for dramatic and sometimes total hair loss. This condition also will right itself once the treatment program is completed.

Traction alopecia or hair loss due to pulling is also fairly common in women who wear tightly bound hair like in pony tails and braids. The pulling of the hair actually breaks it off at the scalp line. This hair will grow back because the hair follicles are not usually damaged. Treatment for hair loss in women due to this problem include wearing your hair looser and using a good conditioner to help with any brittleness of the hair.

Hair Loss Treatments For Women

The last cause is Androgenetic Alopecia which has usually been referred to as male pattern baldness but is also name female pattern hair loss. This is a genetic condition that is manifested by hair loss caused from DHT attacking the hair follicles and causing them to stop producing hair shaft material. There are two FDA approved drugs for male pattern baldness that seem to be effective. The first, Finasteride, is not prescribed to women though because of the potential for side effects including birth defects in male babies.

The second drug has been approved by the US FDA as a treatment for hair loss in women. Minoxidil is usually sold under the brand name Rogaine but it has recently been sold in generic form also. Minoxidil actually protects the hair follicles from the DHT by inhibiting the ability of the DHT to bond with receptors on the hair follicle. It is usually applied in a solution with 2% or 5% active ingredient. This treatment has shown good results as a hair loss treatment for women.

(1) Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is the hormone responsible for both male and female pattern baldness. Approximately what percentage of hair loss is attributed to DHT?

(a) Fifty percent or half the cases of hair loss are due to the hormone DHT.

(b) Only 20% of hair loss is caused by DHT.

(c) Approximately 75% of hair loss is caused by DHT.

(d) Most all hair loss or 95% of the cases can be attributed to DHT blockage.

Answer: The correct answer is (d). Most hair loss cases are the result of DHT.

(2) Which of the following factors can also cause one to lose his hair?

(a) Dandruff

(b) Poor scalp circulation

(c) Disease

(d) Vitamin deficiencies

Answer: If you answered (c), you’re correct. Diseases such as diabetes or lupus can contribute to hair loss. Dandruff, poor scalp circulation or lack of vitamin supplementation have not been proven to cause one to lose his hair.

(3) If you have very little hair on your head, which of the following treatments would be the best treatment for hair loss?

(a) Hair replacement surgery.

(b) Laser treatment

(c) A hair replacement system

(d) A topical treatment

Answer: The correct answer is (c). Hair replacement surgery would probably not be an option if you’ve lost most of your hair as there would be little hair available for a transplant. Laser treatment or a topical treatment may be helpful in blocking future hair loss but if you want a full head of hair, then you’d have to resort to hair replacement in the form of a synthetic or natural-looking hair piece.

(4) In hair restoration surgery, hair grafts are typically placed what measure apart from one another?

(a) One inch

(b) ½ inch

(c) About one-eighth inch

(d) Two inches

Answer: The correct answer is (c). Placing the grafts about one-eighth inch apart helps sustain healthy circulation to the scalp.

(5) Laser hair loss therapy revitalizes the hair cells, repairs damaged cells and is effective when used in combination with what kind of treatment?

(a) A DHT inhibitor

(b) A topical treatment, such as Minoxidil

(c) A herbal treatment such a Saw Palmetto

(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above. Laser hair loss therapy is greatly helped by any of the above scalp and hair therapies, particularly when it’s combined with a DHT inhibitor and equal amounts (or approximately 5%) of Minoxidil and saw palmetto.

(6) Generally, which of the following is considered the best hair loss treatments for women whose hair loss is minimal or a result of thinning hair?

(a) Hair restoration surgery

(b) Altering one’s diet to one that is more healthy and balanced

(c) Topical applications

(d) Both (b) and (c)

Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c). The reason for FPB or female pattern baldness is sometimes difficult to determine as it can occur for a variety of reasons, including hormonal changes, aging, illness, stress or diet. Therefore, if hair loss is minimal or the hair has thinned out to some degree, altering the diet and a topical application or shampoo can often help prevent or assist in eradicating further hair loss or thinning.

How’d you do on the above multiple choice quiz? Did you discover what the best hair loss treatment is for you? Search the Internet. There are a variety of options from topical applications to laser treatment or surgery made for your particular circumstance.