Skalp® Hair Loss series: Prevention, Treatment, Enhancement

 

Part 2: Treatment

 

In part 2 of our series we look at treatment of hair loss:

 

Oral Medication

 

Finasteride is available on prescription from your GP for some types of hair loss. It works by preventing the hormone dihydrotestosterone from shrinking the hair follicles. Results will not be seen for six months after taking the medication and if the medication is stopped hair loss will return.

 

Topical Medication

 

Monoxidil is available from pharmacies without prescription. A topical medication it is massaged into the scalp. As with Finasteride it takes a few months for results to be seen and effects will cease when it is no longer used.

 

Injections

 

Corticosteroids are especially useful for treating alopecia areata which is triggered when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive and produces too many hormones which attack and damage the hair follicles. Injections are made in the area where there may be a bald spot (i.e. the scalp and the eyebrows etc.) They work by suppressing the immune system and also stimulating hair to grow. The injections need to be on-going as the alopecia may return when treatment ceases.

 

Immunotherapy

 

Immunotherapy can trigger hair regrowth but the results are very unpredictable and there is often side-effects to contend with. Dihencyprone (DPCP) is applied to an area of bald skin repeatedly every 7 days for a period of at least 12 weeks. At the end of this time, in some cases there will be signs of hair regrowth. But there are chances of eczema and severe skin reactions.

 

Ultraviolet treatment

 

In this treatment the skin is exposed to UVA rays twice a week in hospital. Statistics show that on the whole results from this treatment is quite poor and hair growth will not be maximised for at least 12 months.

 

Dithranol cream

 

There is no scientific evidence as to how this cream performs in the long term and like the injections it can trigger some bad side-effects. It can cause itchiness, scaling, and can stain the scalp and hair.

 

Complementary therapies

 

There is not enough scientific evidence to back up whether alternative medicines such as acupuncture and aromatherapy works or not.

 

Whatever route you decide to go down always check out with your GP first which is the most effective for you with the least side effects. Be sure to read our next our next article on how you can enhance your presentation without having to go down the hair loss treatment route.

 

 

Skalp® Micro Pigmentation offers a great service for people struggling with hair loss or who just want to join the bald fashion trend and look their very best. Trained practitioners apply pigments to the scalp so it appears as if you have a full head of hair – but cut fashionably short.

Skalp® have clinics around the world. We have clinics in New York, Los Angeles, London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin, Marbella, Milan and Amsterdam.

 

Book an appointment for a complimentary consultation today

 

Source: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hair-loss/Pages/Treatment.aspx