Genetic hair loss is among one of the most widespread hair loss types. Millions of men and women are affected by it around the world. It starts by pushing the hairline upwards and just keeps progressing. If your family has suffered from hair thinning, it’s good to manage this condition timely. Let’s read further to know more about the concept, symptoms and treatments available.
Understanding Genetic Hair Loss
Also known as androgenetic alopecia, this condition can be inherited from either side of your family. Watch out for your family’s baldness patterns because if left untreated, it causes permanent hair loss. Thankfully, if given attention early, things can be prevented from slipping out of hand. It basically has a pattern. In men, hair thins at the top of the head; the hairline moves back over time to form an “M” shape. In women, the middle part widens.
Many genetic and environmental factors are behind this situation. The hair loss has a close connection with hormones called androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It’s the androgens that regulate hair growth. However, there should be a limit. If the hair follicles are stimulated too much, this leads to a shorter growth period. The hair strands become shorter and thinner, the replacement stands take a lot of time to grow and this, hair loss.
Genetic Hair Loss Symptoms
The symptoms of hair loss differ between genders. To determine the type of genetic hair loss, you should be aware of the patterns.
If there is a genetic hair loss male, the thing might be experienced is pattern baldness, a receding hairline. The top of their head (crown) keeps shedding more and more stands.
If a person suffers from women genetic hair loss, she usually has a very distributed thinning in which the overall volume is affected. There’s no receding hairline but scalp-wide shedding.
Genetic Hair Loss Treatment Options
There was a time when almost nothing could be done to treat this issue but thankfully, today, there are numerous treatments available to slow down the shedding.
Medical Treatments For Genetic Hair Loss
If you suffer from genetic hair loss, you can consider having a medical treatment. There are different treatment options. To determine the most suitable option, consult an experienced doctor.
- Minoxidil (Rogaine): It’s a topical treatment that is suitable for both genders. You apply it on the scalp, it fastens the growth of hair follicles and you get your hair volume back.
- Finasteride (Propecia): This is an oral medication exclusively for men (due to hormonal effects). It blocks the production of DHT, slows hair loss and regrows new strands.
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): The treatment uses special devices that boost hair follicles, increase the flow of blood to the scalp and promote hair growth.
Genetic Hair Loss Natural Treatments
If you prefer natural approaches, there are some effective options that can slow down your hair loss or promote overall hair health.
The first option is the scalp massage. Regular massages get blood flowing into hair follicles providing essential nutrients to prevent hair loss. While using scalp massage, you can use some oils. Oils like rosemary or peppermint are known to support hair growth and may work even better.
The second option is about diet. Dietary changes will have fruitful results if you maintain them. A diet rich in vitamins and iron particularly is very good for healthy hair. Get biotin and vitamin D supplements prescribed, if required. In addition to your diet, you can consider taking supplements. Some herbs like ginseng work magically to support hair health. Such useful herbs are definitely worth considering under medical guidance.
Cosmetic and Minimally Invasive Solutions
For those seeking immediate results, there are also non-surgical cosmetic options like PRP and hair transplant. They can improve the appearance of thinning hair.
PRP also known as platelet-rich plasma therapy is a procedure that includes taking out a small amount of your blood, working on it under specific machines and then injecting it into the scalp. This helps to improve hair volume and encourage hair growth.
Another option is hair transplant. From celebrities to common people, transplantation has become a very popular treatment method. Healthy hair follicles are transplanted to the area that needs it the most. It’s an advanced and costly method with a long recovery time.
Lifestyle Tips for Genetic Hair Loss Prevention
Indeed, there are many helpful treatments available, but if making some lifestyle changes can help with hair health, let’s do it:
First of all, chronic stress is never good for your health. However, yoga, meditation and regular exercises promote overall well-being. While managing your stress, you should also take care of your hair-care. Sulfate and parabens can weaken hair so don’t use shampoos including both. Besides those, heat-styling tools also harm your hair.
Genetic hair loss can be very frustrating and disheartening but it can be managed. A variety of genetic hair loss treatments are available. We can take the medical route but it’s always good to make some lifestyle changes that are as simple as a good diet. Remember, it takes consistency for any method to show results because hair growth is a slow process. If you see any symptoms, consult a dermatologist for a personalized treatment plan.
