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Understanding the Causes of Hair Loss and How Medications Can Help

Understanding the Causes of Hair Loss and How Medications Can Help

12/26/2024

On a daily basis, every individual loses around 100 strands of hair from the scalp on average. However, if there is an increased amount of hair shedding, it might result in receding hairline or baldness. There could be numerous factors that contribute to hair loss, such as aging, genetics, stress, specific medication, chronic illness, scalp hygiene, etc. The risk of hair thinning or hair loss increases with age. Both men and women lose hair, but it is more extensive in the case of the males. The rate of hair loss increases from around 15% in men of the age group 18 to 29 years to around 50% in men of the age group 40 to 49 years.

Although there is no cure for hair loss, medication can certainly help delay the progressive loss and promote hair growth. Therefore, it is important to contact your healthcare provider once you notice an unusual amount of hair in the hairbrush, pillow, floor, or washroom. There are various anti-hair fall drugs available on the market that can help deal with hair loss. Your doctor would recommend certain lab tests to learn the root cause of hair loss and recommend medication accordingly. Before you buy hair loss drugs online, kindly check with your doctor to know which medication aligns with your condition. Let’s know, in detail, the causes of hair loss and how medications can be beneficial in addressing the condition.

Let’s Understand Hair Loss

The hair growth cycle has been categorized into four stages mentioned below.

This first stage is the Growth Phase, also known as Anagen.
The second phase is the regression phase, called Catagen.
The third stage is the resting phase, also called Telogen.
The final stage is known as Exogen.

The anagen, catagen, and telogen phases are responsible for hair growth and maturity and assist in the functioning of the hair follicles that produce hair. In contrast, the exogen phase is responsible for the shedding of old hair, which is replaced by new hair.

Hormonal changes, aging, inherited genes, stress, medical conditions, and certain drugs can affect the normal functioning of the hair growth cycle. The altered hair growth cycle may cause hair loss that is not replaced by new strands of hair. When there are more strands of hair fall than the ones replaced by new ones, the condition is called alopecia or hair loss.

Forms of Hair Loss

Hair loss can be temporary or permanent. The common types of hair loss are listed below.

Androgenic alopecia is a widespread form of hair loss in both men and women. Among males, it is known as male-pattern baldness, whereas among females, it is called female-pattern baldness. It is hereditary and occurs with aging. In men, it causes bald patches and receding hairlines, while in women, it causes hair loss around the crown.
Alopecia areata is hair loss caused by autoimmune conditions attacking hair follicles. This may cause hair loss in patches.
Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition involving hair loss caused by stress. Once the stress subsides, the hair regrows. This condition does not require treatment, as the hair regrows upon removal of the stress trigger.
Anagen effluvium is unusual, with brisk hair loss during the first phase, also known as the anagen phase, of the hair growth cycle. It is caused by damage to the hair follicles, which could be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, such as chemotherapy drugs, used in cancer treatment.

Medications for Hair Loss

Hair thinning or hair loss can be delayed with the use of medication. Some of the most commonly used drugs to address hair loss are as follows:

Rogaine

Rogaine is an FDA-approved topical medication with the active ingredient Minoxidil. It encourages the regrowth of thicker hair and prevents additional hair loss. This medication is available as OTC and is used by both men and women. It may take as early as 4 weeks for the hair growth upon regular application of the medicine. Minoxidil is available in the form of shampoo, liquid, and foam.

Oral Propecia:

Finasteride is the active ingredient in the name-brand drug Propecia. It is FDA-approved for treating hair loss in men. Females and children should not take this drug. Propecia is also available in topical form, in addition to tablets.

Other medications, such as Aldactone and Avodart, are also useful against hair loss. You may order cheap hair loss medication online. However, you must first verify that the platform is authentic and legitimate.

If medications don’t produce the desired results in people with temporary hair loss, people with permanent hair loss may also consider hair transplants or hair restoration surgery.

Recommendations to Prevent Hair Loss

In addition to taking medications for hair loss, following the below advice can also be effective against hair loss.

Scalp Massage for about 5 minutes daily can encourage hair growth.
Low-level laser light therapy (LLLT), also known as red light therapy, uses low-wavelength red light to encourage hair growth.
Applying coconut oil to the scalp helps strengthen hair and prevent damage that may lead to hair loss.
Certain essential oils, such as rosemary oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, etc., can yield positive results when applied to the scalp.
Taking good care of the scalp and your hair can contribute positively towards preventing hair loss.
Taking multivitamin supplements and eating a diet rich in protein and amino acids also contribute to hair growth and keep hair healthy.

Conclusion

Hair loss can be very disturbing, but the good part is there are various treatments and medications for the prevention and regrowth of hair. However, a healthcare expert would decide which option would suit your conditions based on the underlying cause. If you notice hair thinning or shedding in large amounts, you should consult a doctor to avoid further worsening of the condition. Before you begin administering any medication, you must inform the doctor of your current and past medical condition. Also, let your doctor know of all the medication and supplements you might be taking.

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