Topical Treatments for Hair Loss: What Really Works?

A receding hairline! A bald spot spreading on the top of my head! Extremely thin hair that is especially noticeable at the hair parting!

• Common reasons for hair fall
• What Causes Temporary Hair Loss?
• Topical Treatments for Hair Loss

Common Reasons For Hair Fall

As per the studies, 60% of males and females suffer some form of hair loss during their lifetime, often resulting in low self-confidence, anxiety and sometimes depression. Losing the hair on your head is not usually a sign of any serious illness unless diagnosed, but it can be distressing most of the time. Topical treatments for hair loss may help provide some kind of relief.

It’s normal to lose hair. We lose between 50 and 100 strands a day, often without noticing. Main causes of Hair loss can occasionally be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Some types of hair loss conditions are progressive, like male and female pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia.

What Causes Temporary Hair Loss?

• An Illness
• Stress
• Cancer Treatment
• Weight Loss
• Vitamin Deficiencies

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or pattern baldness, is a common condition that causes many men and women to seek medical attention. It is characterized by hair follicles that gradually decrease in size and lead to baldness over time. 

It is not always possible to prevent your hair from falling out as you age, but some treatments and remedies might slow down the process. Before you go out and buy supplements and special tonics, learn which ones have shown some promise in prevention or best topical hair loss treatment.

Topical Treatments for Hair Loss

Topical treatments for hair loss are a safe and convenient option to start off with your hair loss treatment journey.

Let’s look into a few of the commonly used topical therapies.

Topical Minoxidil

Minoxidil is the current standard topical treatment for hair loss and works for both men and women. It has a long-standing history of being effective in slowing down hair loss while promoting hair growth. Minoxidil for hair loss extend the duration of the hair cycle and partially reverses the miniaturized follicles in addition to maintaining the thick preexisting hair. It is available in lotion, gel and foam forms and usually shows a good effect in 3-4 months of use. It is advisable to continue use of minoxidil for long durations as discontinuing use may reverse the effects in few individuals. 

Topical minoxidil can help people with many different types of hair loss, including male and female pattern hair loss, which is also known as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy hair roots telogen effluvium, in which there is excessive hair fall due to an interruption in the body’s cycle of hair production; anagen effluvium, or rapid hair loss resulting from some medical treatment; and some forms of scarring alopecias.

Minoxidil for hair loss is proven to work best on the crown which is where baldness bothers most men. Many people have reported significant results over time. Although available without a prescription, for better results, it is advisable to use it under a dermatologist’s supervision. Your doctor can diagnose the exact cause of hair loss and determine whether a 2% or 5% concentration of minoxidil is right for you.

Topical Finasteride

Topical finasteride is a prescription drug for men with male pattern hair loss, commonly called androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride topical solution slows the rate of hair loss and stimulates new hair growth by inhibiting the production of a hormone DHT in the hair follicles that destroys them.

Finasteride belongs to a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors that helps reduce hair loss by barring the action of natural hormones in hair follicles. It may be best for men who still have enough hair to retain but also want to help regrow hair. A combination of the best topical hair loss treatment and topical minoxidil. Similar to minoxidil, hair loss recurs on stopping the medication.

Growth Serums

In some cases growth serums are also described as topical treatments for hair loss. Hair growth serums contain nutrients/ active peptides of naturopathic molecules like saw palmetto which can aid in hair growth. Few examples of these hair growth serums are procapil, saw palmetto, and capexil. Few nutrients present in these hair growth serums are- 

• Biotin
• Lactic Acid
• Vitamin E
• Panthenol
• Creassatine
• Aminexil
• Argan oil
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
• Hairgenyl
• Amino Acid Complex

Before you approach a topical treatment for hair loss, consider consulting a dermatologist specializing in hair loss treatments to help you navigate the confusing thicket of hair loss treatment options. As your hair doctor evaluates options for treating your condition, pharmacologic products such as finasteride and minoxidil, hair growth serums which have been widely studied and have provided positive outcomes, are readily available.