Hair loss is a fundamental challenge to one’s social role and self-perception, throwing even mentally strong people off balance. Usually, we lose 50-100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, and this is due to the cyclicity of hair growth- each hair goes through its cycle, independent of other hairs on the scalp. Every healthy hair stays vital for several years and grows constantly, but at some point, hair growth stops. A virgin hair pushes up from the root, and the old one falls out. The hair is continuously renewed throughout life, going through 20-30 cycles.
The belief that even the most insignificant amount of hair loss is “abnormal” is primarily determined by television advertising, where the “clean” comb is an indicator of hair health. However, this is not the case. Daily hair loss, which does not lead to hair thinning over time, is normal.
Hair loss can have many causes, and the most common causes of hair loss are genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, various diseases, or the administration of drugs, both in women and men.
Possible causes of hair loss
There are various factors that can cause hair loss. Medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems, depression or gout chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer patients could cause hair loss. High levels of vitamin A or low levels of iron or protein can also influence hair thinning.
Other factors that could cause hair loss are:
- scalp mycosis
- psoriasis
- seborrheic dermatitis
- anaemia
- hormonal disorders
- aggressive styling and overuse of styling products;
- age;
- environmental factors;
- stress
- diet, in particular, the lack of vitamins and proteins in the diet;
- mistakes made in hair care;
- autoimmune diseases;
The right therapy for hair loss
Choosing the best hair loss treatments is all about your individual needs. Expectations and experiences are very different for most men: some refuse or cannot afford surgery, and others find hair loss shampoos ineffective. We will introduce you to the best old and new remedies for hair loss so that you can quickly find a suitable hair treatment.
1. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication
Two of the most popular medications used to treat hair loss are:
- Minoxidil is an over-the-counter and topical drug. This medicine in the form of foam or liquid should be applied daily to the scalp and should usually be used for several months or years to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
- Finasteride is the most effective and, at the same time, the most feared solution to stop hair loss – the possible side effects mentioned in the leaflet scare a large part of those who consider it. It’s an alife-long oral medication and the results take at least 6 months to become apparent.
2. Kerastem Cell Therapy
Medicine is advancing at an unimaginable rate, and one of the latest methods for treating hair loss is the transfer of fat and stem cells, called Kerastem. Clinical studies show that this procedure can naturally stimulate and restart hair growth and revitalize dormant hair follicles. This innovative and revolutionary treatment is minimally invasive and involves harvesting a 250-300cc volume of fat (adipose tissue) by manual liposuction from which stem cells will be concentrated. A mixture of 30 MLS of fat is injected into the scalp along with a rich concentration of stem cells. Purified using kerastem protocol of centrifugation and fat emulsification. The treatment can make natural hairs thicker, longer, and of better quality and cause dormant hair follicles (a variable percentage of scalp hair follicles) to be revitalised and thrown out of the dormant phase. Kerastem is founded on actively growing or dormant hair follicles, it is of no use if there are no active hair follicles (bald patch).
3. Hair transplants
Hair transplant surgery is an area of surgical expertise in its own right and is not something Rozina Ali’s practice currently offers.
In general hair transplant surgery is planned and modelled around each individualised patient. During the procedure, hair follicles are harvested from areas of abundance (near the nape of the neck) and are transplanted by various means to the affected hairless area. These retrieved hair follicles are called grafts. There may not be enough healthy hair in the person’s nape or temples in rare cases. In such cases, the hair follicles may be taken from other hairy parts of the body, such as the patient’s arms or chest wall. The procedure is completed in a few hours, depending on hair loss. If the area with fallen hair is vast, several sessions may be required to complete the treatment.
4. Laser treatment
Laser therapy is a non-invasive, fast, and very safe method. It increases the local circulation and stimulates the follicles to produce more substantial and more resistant hair by absorbing photons by the affected cells in the hair structure. The remarkable results obtained led to the use of the laser together with the other methods of hair loss treatment, maximizing their beneficial effects considerably. It is used as post-transplant support, increasing its yield and potentiating various substances to stimulate hair growth.
5. Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a dermato-cosmetic method used to stimulate hair growth. With the help of micro-injections, certain substances are distributed in the skin (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, natural plant extracts, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, etc.), providing the necessary nutrients to the hair follicles.
How to prevent hair loss
- Opt for a balanced diet – The diet that contributes to hair regeneration and prevents hair loss should be rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamins A, C, and vitamin B complex. In this regard, try to eat as often as possible foods such as salmon, nuts, beans, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, spinach, whole grains, chicken, turkey, pork and beef, mushrooms, eggs, fish, milk, citrus fruits, peas, broccoli or seafood.
- Avoid stress – Emotional stress can lead to hair loss, sometimes even a few months after the trauma. Weight fluctuations, an unbalanced diet, and stress are among the most common problems contributing to hair loss.
- Try to have a proper hair care routine – Use a regenerating shampoo to care for brittle and devitalized hair, apply a mask after each wash, give up aggressive hairstyles and use delicate accessories to prevent hair breakage.
- Avoid smoking and smokers
Treatments against hair loss are varied, and medicine proposes solutions that have guaranteed effects. If you are ready to treat hair loss with the help of the ground-breaking Kerastem procedure, book a consultation with the best plastic surgeons in UK.
