My hair is falling out - what should I do?

Posted November 15th, 2008 by admin

Question

 

1) I’m losing my hair - it’s happening slowly but surely.
2) I also have an itchy and flaky scalp and it’s getting to a stage where I can’t accept it anymore, I feel so down and moody all the time.
3) I have read on your site about Finasteride. Is it any good, are there any side-effects and how much does it cost?

Answer

Thinning hair and baldness usually results from an inherited tendency that manifests itself as one grows older. In a small minority of cases it can be caused by a skin condition or the scratching of an itchy scalp. Since you mention an itchy flaky scalp, it would be worth checking with your doctor that a skin condition is not contributing to your hair loss.

The most common cause of hair loss in men is male pattern hair loss [androgenetic alopecia]. It is an inherited tendency that is almost universal amongst white men, although some seem to develop the problem earlier than others. Recent surveys have suggested that 30 per cent of men have some pattern baldness by the age of 30 years and 50 per cent have it by the age of 50. Some lose their hair quite quickly, but the average man takes 15 to 20 years to go bald. Black men are a lot less likely to bald prematurely.

There are several treatment options:

Minoxidil solution, branded in the UK as Regaine, works for some people. It is a bottled solution that you can buy over the counter in its weaker [2%] form, but you need a prescription from a doctor for the stronger [5%] treatment. About 15 per cent of patients get medium regrowth, whereas 50 per cent get the benefit of some delay in hair loss. Once the twice-daily applications are stopped the benefit ceases and the regrowth recedes. Blood pressure needs to be monitored more closely if you are on any treatment for hypertension [Minoxidil started life as a treatment for high blood pressure].

Finasteride is an oral medication more commonly used as a treatment for enlarged prostate glands. It has also been shown to reduce hair loss in men with male pattern baldness by inhibiting the production of certain male hormones in the prostate gland. Research has demonstrated that after two years of treatment a third of patients benefit from a cosmetically significant increase in hair while another third have some minimal regrowth. Once again the balding process continues once treatment is stopped. Side-effects are relatively uncommon with less than 2 per cent of patients suffering some loss of sex drive. Other side-effects, such as impotence, nipple tenderness and enlargement, and allergic reactions are less common. This treatment would probably need to be prescribed by specialist.

Hair transplantation offers another possibility. It can give good results in the hands of an experienced cosmetic surgeon. It is available privately and the price depends largely on the type and extent of the procedure required.

The best advice would be to discuss this problem with your doctor and make him/her aware of how desperate you’re feeling about your hair loss.

And here comes few alternative methods if you like:

Shampoo hair regularly with shikakai, amia and reetha nuts.

· Combine together five tablespoons of pure, undiluted coconut milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice. Massage well into scalp. Allow it to dry. Wash off thoroughly.

· Beat two eggs along with three tablespoons of water and apply to hair roots. Rinse off. This prevents hair from falling by strengthening the roots.

· Massage whipped egg white all over scalp. Allow it to dry before washing off. It nourishes your hair and arrests hair falling.

· Make a thick paste of methi seeds and wash hair with this.

· Regular massage with warm castor oil goes a long way in promoting luxuriant hair growth.

· Use aloe vera oil regularly.