Treatments for Temporal Hair Loss

A receding hairline is a common problem for men, but this can be prevented or treated. A receding hairline or hair loss at the temples is the forerunner of androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss experienced by men.

With male pattern baldness, temporal hair loss occurs before losing hair at the crown or vertex of the scalp. The receding hairline and balding crown gradually extend and meet, creating a larger balding scalp area.

Triggers and Treatments of Temporal Hair Loss

Temporal hair loss may occur due to genetic factors. When the hormone testosterone combines with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced. This attacks and gradually shrinks the hair follicles, which eventually makes hair fall out excessively. In a small percentage of people, temporal hair loss can also be due to health problems.

A physician should be consulted to discuss the various treatment options for temporal hair loss. He may refer the patient to a hair loss specialist, or conduct some lab tests to ensure that the hair loss is not due to some medical condition.

Medicines may also be prescribed to reverse the condition. Over-the-counter treatment with a topical lotion may be prescribed at first. More aggressive treatments may be advised if these do not work.

Temporal Hair Loss Treatments

There are some FDA-approved and medically established treatment options for temporal hair loss. These are as follows:

• Hair Transplants

• Finasteride

• Minoxidil

• Flap Surgery

A hair transplant is the most instant solution to temporal hair loss and a receding hairline. It is a surgical procedure and the doctor has to first determine the number of grafts required and discuss the cost with the patient.

The doctor normally uses 1-hair follicular unit grafts to create a natural temporal hairline. These are surgically implanted in an irregular zigzag pattern. Donor strips of hair are uprooted and transferred to the bald areas by the doctor. Hair which is grafted is not susceptible to DHT-induced hair loss, so it has a high rate of survival.

Another form of temporal hair loss treatment is through taking finasteride. This is a synthetic antiandrogen. Studies on patients of baldness who took 1mg of this tablet daily showed the growth of new scalp hair after continuing the treatment for some time. However, hair loss can reoccur if the medication is stopped. There are also side effects to this oral medication.

On the other hand, the drug minoxidil is a hair lotion which is known to promote hair growth. It should be used twice a day for effective hair growth. It is an FDA-approved anti-balding topical treatment and is considered safe to use by women as well.

However, like finasteride, hair loss occurs again if the application is discontinued. Temporal hair loss can be treated effectively with a combination of both the tablet and the lotion.

Flap surgery is another form of temporal hair loss treatment, though it is the least desirable. In this method, a strip of scalp which is balding is removed and the hair-growing area adjacent to it is moved upwards, in place of the bald strip. This method looks quite unnatural and has many drawbacks.

Hair implants, though expensive at first, have proved to be an effective and permanent temporal hair loss treatment and this method of treatment is gaining popularity.

Raising Hair Loss Concerns to a Medical Expert

Our stance towards our hair is personal and crucial. Some people see their hair as their crowning glory and so it is a source of personal confidence. It is a personal disaster of the first magnitude for these individuals to start losing their hair.

It is a disaster and their worst nightmare. Most individuals like their hair and want to retain it and then there are those who shave it off although they do not have to.

All in all, this means that most people worry about their hair to some extent or another. Some individuals worry needlessly though. It is fairly normal to lose about 100 hairs a day from your head. This is not just standard, it is necessary to having a full head of healthy hair.

If you would like to check your rate of hair loss, comb or brush your hair as usual and count the fallout. Take note however, that you will lose more after washing your hair, so rest with dry hair.

Some health care experts say that the rate of hair loss is not a function of age, but rather many factors including health, nutrition, diet, exercise. They say that age, race, and sex are less important than we used to think.

If this is true, then it is worth doing a hair count from time to time and seeking medical advice if the count rises over 100 a day. In fact, the rapid onset of significant hair loss could be a sign of impending health worries.

One thing that you have to take into account is heredity. Take a look at your grandparents, particularly your grandmother’s line. Do not forget that the egg that you came from was made in your maternal grandmother’s womb because baby girls are born with all the eggs that they will ever have.

This means that you were inside your maternal grandmother and were subject to all the health concerns that she underwent. The paternal grandfather does not play such a big function, but your father and his father do.

It is not guaranteed that you will follow them because your diet can be different, but it will give you a clue of what your future head of hair may look like.

As you can imagine, terminal illness is very hard on the body’s resources and the treatments can be just as severe in the short term, so do not become surprised if your body diverts resources away from your hair under these circumstances.

However, it may do so during less chronic bouts of illness, so remember to keep your strength up and consult your medical doctor about, perhaps, taking supplemental vitamins.

If you decide that you should go to the doctor, because you are worried about your rate of hair loss, make sure you tell him everything. Not only what you think is relevant, but about all your bad habits too like whether you drink to excess, whether you burn the candle at both ends, and whether you take recreational drugs. Such information is crucial in determining the hair loss condition you have.

Countdown of the Top 5 Hair Loss Queries

Male pattern baldness is a topic men either openly or very privately talk about. Actually, it’s a topic that most men — specifically 85% of all men — are bound to be eventually familiar with.

However, it’s a topic that’s still shrouded in false information, misconception and myths. With so much confusion, it’s no wonder that many men strangers to the actual facts about hair loss.

Here is a countdown of the top 5 queries about male hair loss — and of course, their corresponding answers.

No. 5: Can shampoo, hair gel or wearing a hat influence hair loss?

Excessive shampooing, hair drying, colouring or the use of other hair products (or even wearing a hat) may temporarily damage the hair, causing it to become dry, brittle, lustreless or limp — but the use of these products will not influence the gradual process of male pattern baldness. Any damage through hair care products is typically only temporary since individual hairs fall out and regrow in a consistent cycle over the course of several months.

No. 4: What is the Hamilton-Norwood scale of male pattern baldness?

The Hamilton-Norwood scale is a pictorial guide that uses a set of images to range how severe a man’s hair loss is. The scale ranges from type 1, or minimal hair loss, through to type 7, the most severe form of hair loss in which men have little to no hair on the front or top of the head.

No. 3: When should I begin treatment for hair loss?

Generally, the sooner you begin treatment, the more likely you are to see results and the more likely it is that you will delay further balding. However, keep in mind that many of the common therapies for hair loss come with unwanted side effects, so it’s important to speak with your doctor early to devise a treatment plan that you are both comfortable with.

No. 2: What treatment options are available for hair loss?

As of today, treatment options for male pattern baldness are limited but expanding. Currently, there are only two drugs licensed for male pattern baldness: finasteride and minoxidil. These are the only drugs currently licensed that actually help hair to regrow.

Outside of drug therapy, there are additional treatment options, including non-surgical hair restoration (e.g. wearing a hairpiece), surgical hair replacement (i.e. hair transplantation), and low-level laser therapy (e.g. laser combs or laser caps). New treatments such as hair cloning and gene therapy are on the horizon, but not yet ready for prime time.

No. 1: Are the results of treatment permanent?

For drug treatments like finasteride or minoxidil, results may not appear for several months. As a general rule, you must continue taking these drugs if you want the results to continue. Although it’s possible that results will persist after you discontinue usage, it is likely that hair loss will return. The only permanent treatment for balding is hair transplantation; however, as with any surgery, not everyone is a candidate and there are important side effects to consider.

Postpartum Hair Loss: Causes and Solutions

If you’ve had a baby recently, you may have noticed that your once-vibrant hair is now thinning or falling out. This is a very common after-effect of pregnancy, affecting up to half of all mothers. It is usually temporary and is the result of changing hormones.

What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?

During pregnancy, hormones put scalp hair into a growth phase, meaning that your hair will grow and become thicker. Pregnant women are often described as having a ‘glow’ and this may be one of the reasons.

After the birth, the hair goes into a resting phase and remains dormant on the head for two or three months. Then it goes into another growth phase and all the resting hairs are shed at once. This can make your hair seem thin and lifeless and it may come out when you brush it, but it isn’t usually severe enough to cause baldness. If you have bald patches, you could possibly have a vitamin deficiency.

Treatment is not necessary unless the hair loss is severe. Your hair will usually return to normal within one year.

How to Reduce Hair Loss after Childbirth

• Don’t over-brush your hair to have styles that put undue strain on the hair

• Don’t use hairdryers, or if you do, use a low setting to avoid damaging hair

• Eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables to encourage hair growth

• Take a multi-vitamin supplement that contains vitamins B, B7 (biotin), C and E and zinc. Make sure it is a brand that is suitable for use in pregnancy and breast feeding.

Consider having a short hairstyle during this postnatal period as the effect of thinning hair will be less obvious. If you are still suffering from hair loss after one year, see your doctor as it may be a sign of another health problem, such as anaemia or thyroid disorder.

Natural Hair Loss Remedies

Are you aware that there are many natural hair loss remedies available for both men and women who may be suffering with hair loss or thinning hair? Many people believe that for something like this, only chemical-based or synthetic products will have the answers they need to treat hair loss, which simply isn’t true.

Green tea and saw palmetto are effective hair regrowth treatments for people who have male and female pattern baldness. This condition occurs when there is an over-abundance of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT makes the hair follicles weak which causes the strands to fall out.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is an herbal DHT blocker. Perhaps knowing the name alone suggests that this particular herb can be an irritant, but researches have shown that it can be highly effective for treating baldness and alopecia. It has been reported that extracts of nettle roots partly block 5-alpha reductase, which makes it a dihydrotestosterone-inhibiting component. This, in turn, resists hair fall and triggers the hair growth process.

Exercise stimulates blood flow in your entire body, including your scalp. This is another step you can take immediately to address hair loss problems.

Vitamin E is considered to be one of the most effective natural hair loss treatments because it helps keep a healthy supply of blood flowing to the scalp. This allows important nutrients to be carried in the blood towards the hair roots to nourish the strands. Take multi-vitamins or B vitamins to stimulate your strands to grow.

Mustard oil, boiled with henna leaves, is helpful for healthy growth of hair. About 250 ml of mustard oil should be boiled in a tin basin. About 60 grams of henna leaves are then mixed with the oil. The oil should then be filtered using a cloth and stored. Regular massage of the head with the oil will produce healthy hair.

Lose Your Stressors, Not Your Tresses

Have you been excessively losing hair, that is, more than 100 strands per day? Stress could be one of the factors for your locks falling out. According to a preliminary finding from a new research, it turns out that stress and bad habits such as smoking, drinking and even tanning could contribute to hair loss, especially in women.

Two new studies found that women’s hair follicles are particularly vulnerable to the wear and tear of a stressful lifestyle. One study found that women who had suffered the stress of a divorce or death of a spouse were at the highest risk of losing their hair at the midline, meaning a widening of the parting in the middle of the scalp.

Though hair loss in men and women take different patterns — diffuse hair thinning for women, and a receding hairline and thinning crown for men — the reasons for such condition can be similar. Though in men the problem is, more often than not, genetic, even smoking, alcohol consumption, daily stress, and sun exposure can cause balding, according to the research.

While you can take preventative measures such as wearing a hat in the sun, quitting smoking, and reducing your alcohol consumption, researchers say that adopting healthier lifestyle choices could possibly help your hair grow back. Also, applying a daily hair care regimen can make a difference in the growth and upkeep of healthy hair.

‘Part of it is to manage what you can’, shares one dermatologist. ‘The sooner you address it, the better your chances of having recovery’.

Prior research has also linked stem cells to balding, finding that some stem cells in the scalp are incapable of developing into the type of cells that make hair follicles. The discovery could give hope to men and women with hair loss, said the researchers.

Homemade and Herbal Hair Care Solutions

The hair is usually the thing that several individuals, including yourself, notice first. It has then been deduced that being comfortable with one’s hair — whether it’s the cut, colour, style, or condition — means having high self-esteem or confidence.

Many people seek for truly effective hair care products or regimens, but these are usually expensive. There’s actually a solution for that: make your own hair care product! Below are hair care essentials you can make at home, ones that can give you better results than pricey hair care items:

1. Chamomile Shampoo

A fantastic alternative to a shop-purchased shampoo is chamomile shampoo. You need 4 bags of chamomile tea or 1 handful of fresh chamomile flowers, 4 tablespoons of soap flakes, and 1½ tablespoons of glycerine.

Soak the tea bags in 1½ cups of boiled water for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags then add the soap flakes. Wait for the flakes to soften and then add the glycerine, and stir.

The shelf life of this chamomile shampoo lasts for about 1 week. Keep it refrigerated.

2. Avocado Conditioner

Combine 1 peeled and mashed avocado with 2 cups of coconut milk. Stir to the consistency of a conditioner.

Comb to the hair and leave on for 15 minutes then thoroughly rinse. Use as a hair care conditioner for one week.

3. Herbal Hot Oil

On a low-heat setting, warm 1 teaspoon of soybean oil and 2 teaspoons of castor oil. After 1 minute, add ½ cup of dried rosemary leaves and ½ cup of olive oil. Strain the concoction.

Apply to the hair and scalp then cover with a shower cap. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards, making sure to wash off the oil.

You can also make use of rosewater or lemon with olive oil.