Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment: How to Stop Hair Loss
Androgenetic Alopecia is a type of hair loss due to hormonal changes and heredity.
Some people may get temporary hair loss, while some can face complete baldness.
It is not a curable condition, but Androgenetic Alopecia treatment is possible.
There are a lot of medicines and treatments that can help you in fighting this condition.
Effective treatment can include lifestyle changes, medications, and a healthy diet.
But for severe cases, Hair Transplant is the only option for hair growth treatment.
Continue reading this article to learn more about Androgenetic Alopecia treatment.
Diagnosis
Various Androgenetic Alopecia treatments depend on the severity of your hair loss.
Consult your Trichologist to get a complete diagnosis of your condition.
Some of the diagnostic tests that doctors can ask you to do are
Blood Test
A blood test can help doctors identify any medical condition that you can have causing hair loss.
Scalp Biopsy
In Scalp Biopsy, skin is removed from your scalp. The part of the skin is then examined under a microscope, which can help the Trichologist to understand the reason for hair loss.
Hormone Test
Hormonal imbalance can also cause hair loss. Doctors may recommend you have a hormone test to identify the reason. Level of different hormones from Thyroid to Testosterone may affect hair growth.
Pull Test
In the Pull Test, the doctor gently pulls a bunch of hairs to observe hair shedding. It can help them determine the stage of hair loss.
Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment
There are many options available for Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment.
The doctor may prescribe you treatment depending on the stage of hair loss you are suffering from.
Some medications your doctor may prescribe are Minoxidil, Finasteride, Spironolactone, and Olumiant.
Best oral medicine for Androgenetic Alopecia
Early diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia can help you treat the condition.
Treatment can also include medicine or a combination of medicines.
The best oral medications for people assigned female at birth are:
Minoxidil
Minoxidil helps in promoting hair growth and slowing hair loss. It is available under the brand name Rogaine.
It helps in widening the blood vessels of your scalp, which helps in increasing blood flow to hair follicles.
Minoxidil is available in the form of liquid and foam.
It may take more than six months of medication to show effective results.
You will notice an increase in hair fall after using Minoxidil.
Some of the medicines containing Minoxidil are
| Medicines with Minoxidil | Approx. Cost |
| Tugain 5% | $20.54 |
| Tugain Solution 10 | $87.30 |
| Hair 4u 2% | $19.80 |
| Hair 4u 5% | $21.61 |
Finasteride
Generally, Finasteride works by preventing the conversion of Testosterone (Sex hormone) to another hormone known as DIhydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT may slow the growth of your hair and can also cause the prostate gland to expand.
It binds to hair follicles, damages them, and stops new hair growth.
Finasteride stops DHT production and helps in promoting hair growth.
Doctors may recommend this medicine for treating Male Pattern Baldness.
But, Finasteride is not recommended for women having Female Pattern Baldness.
To see the desired results of medications, you must continue the course of medication as directed by your doctor.
It might take several months to see if Finasteride is working for you.
Some of the side effects are reduced sex drive and sexual functions.
Finasteride increases the risk of developing Prostate Cancer.
| Products with Finasteride | Approx. Cost |
| Finpecia 1mg | $6.27 |
| Finalo 1mg | $19 |
Spironolactone
Spironolactone can be an option for women suffering from Female Pattern hair loss.
It works by slowing down the production of Androgens.
Reduced production of Androgens can reduce the progression of hair loss due to Androgenetic Alopecia.
It can also help in hair regrowth.
Some of the side effects are fatigue, headache, weight loss, and hyperkalemia.
Pregnant women must avoid Spironolactone, which can cause structural anomalies in the baby.
Spironolactone is not an FDA-approved medicine. Only take it if prescribed by your doctor.
Olumiant
Olumiant is an FDA-approved oral medication that helps treat adult patients with severe hair loss.
Taking Olumiant 4 mg once daily, some saw 90% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks, and some saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage as early as 24 weeks.
The recommended dosage by doctors is 2mg once for most patients.
But, in severe cases, 4mg strength is prescribed.
Consult your doctor for the appropriate dosage of medicine.
Olumiant can cause serious health hazards for people with severe kidney and liver problems.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a very effective treatment for hair growth.
It uses several thin needles to make tiny holes in the top layer of your scalp.
It stimulates the skin’s healing process and produces more collagen and elastin.
Microneedling works by stimulating stem cells and induces the activation of hair growth factors.
A study shows that patients who received micro-needling with other therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma, to the thinning area improve hair growth.
It is advised to consult your Trichologist for the best prescription.
Hair Transplant
There are two types of Hair Transplants, Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
In FUT, a strip of skin having healthy hair is removed from the scalp.
The area from which the skin is taken is the back of the head because hairs are less impacted.
The surgeon uses local anesthesia to reduce the pain caused while removing the skin.
The sample taken is then separated into individual hair follicles and placed all over the head.
In FUE, the donor area is shaved first of all.
Then each hair follicle is extracted one by one and transplanted at the part of the scalp with no hair.
The scalp is not cut in Follicular Unit Extraction.
FUE can take more time to get done than FUT. Fue has many advantages, such as less pain and lesser side effects.
Natural Supplements
If your blood test reveals low biotin, iron, and zinc level, a dermatologist may advise you to take a supplement.
In case of protein deficiency, you will be asked to enhance the intake of protein-rich foods.
Supplements like Biotin help in stimulating the hair follicles.
This helps in the overall growth and development of hair.
Taking excessive iron supplements may result in iron poisoning. Early signs include vomiting and stomach pain.
If required, your dermatologist may recommend a multivitamin.
Conclusion
Although there is no cure for Androgenetic Alopecia, it can be stopped and regrow new hair.
Medication can help in the mild and moderate stages.
But in case of complete hair loss, Hair Transplant is the most effective treatment.
You must get a prescription from your doctor according to your severity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Androgenetic Alopecia ever be cured?
No, you cannot cure Androgenetic Alopecia. However, many Androgenetic Alopecia treatments are available that can help stop hair loss and promote hair growth.
What is the best treatment for Androgenic Alopecia?
Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil topical 2% or 5% solution is among the best treatments for Androgenic Alopecia.
Can hair grow back with Androgenetic Alopecia?
Specific treatment may help reduce further hair loss. However, some men may regrow hair after treatments.
How can I thicken my hair with Androgenetic Alopecia?
Taking supplements like biotin, Omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids, folic acids, and multivitamins may help thicken your hair.
