Are there any alternatives to hair transplant?

There are a variety of alternatives to hair transplants, including scalp reduction surgery, flap surgery, hairpieces and drug treatments.  All these are essentially useless, painful and exorbitantly expensive treatments.

Pills to grow hair have been around for decades. Each year, numerous medications, herbs, spices and nutritional supplement are being cited as the panacea for hair loss. Annually, North American men spend more than 2-4 billion dollars in the quest for the magic drug to look younger, sexier and hairy.

Unfortunately there is nothing on the horizon for more hair.

Two FDA approved medications for hair growth are available. Minoxidil, which is sold over the counter as Rogaine, for both men and women, and Finasteride, a prescription pill, sold as Propecia, for men only- both these suck and are a total waste of money. You will be lucky if you even grow one strand of hair on your backside after 10 years (personal experience). 


Two other drugs have been recently approved for hair growth and include a high-estrogen oral contraceptive which is for women only and Aldactone (spironolactone) which can be used by either gender. These two pills are generally safe but as far as their hair growth abilities are concerned- “shit” would be the best answer. 

What is telogen effluvium? Part 2

Symptoms

The biggest complaint by all individuals affected with telogen effluvium is that hair is shedding at a high rate. Further most individuals will also complain that the remaining hair is less dense. The hair loss can occur in patches but compete baldness is rare. The entire episode of hair loss lasts about 6 months. Most individuals will give a history of emotional turmoil or some physical health problem a month or two preceding the problem.

The diagnosis of telogen effluvium is not difficult but one needs to see a skin doctor. An average family physician will have no clue about this disorder. The most important fact about this disorder is that there is no scarring.

Known stressors that can cause telogen effluvium include a change in medications, change in diet, pregnancy, delivery of a baby, immunization, acute illness, or major injury.

Other causes of telogen effluvium include:

- Crash diets
- chronic iron deficiency
- heavy metal poisoning
- medications like beta-blocker, blood thinners,
excess use of retinoids and various vaccines

The most definite way to make a diagnosis is a scalp biopsy but often an astute dermatologist can make a diagnosis without the biopsy. If a metabolic cause is suspected, blood work may be required.

All individuals who develop telogen effluvium have to understand that the disorder is transient and will resolve in 6 months. The only treatment for telogen effluvium is reassurance. If you have telogen effluvium from an identifiable cause like diet, iron deficiency or use of medication, your physician will recommend changes.

Many young people hate being bald for a few months. for them it is better to cover the head with hat, wig, or a scarf. The use of minoxidil or propecia has not been shown to promote recovery. The medications almost never work, are expensive and are useless.

IS there a Treatment for Hair loss? Part 1

Every drug, chemical postulated to cure hair loss, has in most instances been just that- a false claim prying on desperate men trying to counter an irreversible process. From drinking one’s urine to eating a tiger’s penis- all have been claimed to be the magical cure. And the drug industry does not fair any better. They are the biggest charlatans among them all.

The two drugs available today for hair growth, do little more than grow a hair here and there, and they are not only expensive but have to be applied or taken in orally for a life time- hair loss sure sucks.

The big question everyone wants to know “is there a treatment for hair growth?”. Unfortunately no. The medications available today may grow a hair here and there in a few people and that is about all the hair one will ever see.

Todate, there are no cure for hair loss. There are temporary solutions, some of which may help. For those with alopecia areata- one does not need any treatment as the hair will grow back sometime in future.

Coping with hair loss part 1

Losing hair is a miserable experience and one filled with anxiety, depression and loss of confidence. Hair loss typically occurs to males in their prime and is a very frustrating disorder to deal with. No matter what others say, hair loss is the Achilles heel of most men and coping is difficult. Many suggestions have been made to cope with hair loss and this includes joining a support group, discuss with family and friends and learn more about the disorder. Only time heals the pain of hair loss.

Conclusion

For those intent on having hair, the time to start drug therapy is when there is still some hair left on the head. For completely bald people, the options are limited to wigs and wearing a hat or accept a hairless scalp. Few insurance plans cover drug therapy and one needs to take the drugs forever to get the benefits and maintain them. The drugs are not cheap and there is no guarantee of hair growth. For a years supply, Rogaine may cost $200-$300 and Propecia can cost $700-$1,000. Neither of these medications is covered by any medical insurance.