When to Treat Hair Loss

Hair loss can be temporary or permanent depending on what is causing it. Once you know which type you have, you can work out when and which treatment method to use.

Men mainly suffer from Male Pattern Baldness and the only way to treat this effectively is to use medications. Women, on the other hand, experience various types of hair loss. Female Pattern Hair Loss is the most common, and again, medications are the only way to counter the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that attacks the hair follicles and results in genetic hair loss. The earlier that these conditions are diagnosed and a person commences treatment, the better the results will be.

The only two products that have been tested and been found to be both safe and effective are Minoxidil (for men and women) and Propecia (for men only). They work best when tailored to the individual; for instance, Minoxidil can be prepared as Minoxidil 4% and 5% solution with added Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) and as Minoxidil 12.5% with added Azelaic Acid (AA). MPG and AA are 'hair growth booster' ingredients which may help to reduce the adverse effects of DHT and in turn improve the efficacy of the Minoxidil. Moreover, when MPG and AA are added to Minoxdil, the treatment becomes prescriptive which ensures you know that the product is of a superior quality. For men, a prescriptive Minoxidil can compliment Propecia and produce impressive rates of re-growth, even for stubborn patches of hair loss.

Telogen Effluvum is usually a temporary condition. Stress, childbirth, taking certain medications, an illness and rapid weight loss can all have a detrimental effect on the hair growth cycle; some hair follicles prematurely enter the resting phase where they stay for three months after which time they are shed. In some cases the person recovers from the event before the hair loss occurs. The hair should return to normal growth rates six months after the event. However, if you are under ongoing pressure, using medications long-term, suffering from a chronic illness or underweight, it is likely that the hair will continue to be affected. If this is the case, it is best to see a hair specialist who may be able to recommend a short course of treatment. Also, if there are no ongoing stressful factors and the hair is not back to its normal condition after six months, you should seek advice.

Diffuse Thinning is when there is an excessive rate of hair falling out and thinning across the scalp which is caused by internal factors other than genetics. For example, people with thyroid problems, blood disorders and hormonal problems may experience this condition. The hair loss can be successfully treated once the underlying condition is being effectively managed. So once you have seen your doctor, contact a hair specialist to discuss treatment.

Alopecia Areata affects men, women and children. The sudden, patchy loss of hair is particularly common amongst children and young people and is the result of an auto-immune disease. For some sufferers the condition is temporary and the hair re-grows within a year, while for others it is permanent and may develop into Alopecia Totalis (total loss of scalp hair) or Alopecia Universalis (total loss of body and scalp hair). It is not fully understood why the immune system turns in on itself and starts to attack the hair follicles, nor is it possible to tell when or if the hair will re-grow. It is possible to treat mild or early-stage Alopecia Areata, so as soon as you spot it (sometimes hairdressers or friends and family are the first to notice it) then contact a hair specialist with experience of treating this condition.

These are the main types of rel=nofollow [http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/hospitaltreatment/find-a-treatment/hair-loss-treatment/hair-loss-treatment-centres/belgravia-hair-clinic-london/]hair loss. The advice is simple; if you notice any thinning or loss of hair, see a specialist who can give you a diagnosis. In some cases treatment may not be required but if it is, then don't underestimate the value of an expert's opinion when it comes to finding a treatment programme to suit you.

Sophie is one of the Belgravia Hair Loss Blog's expert authors. The Belgravia Centre is a hair loss clinic and pharmacy in the UK and home to one of the world's leading hair loss websites and blogs - http://www.belgraviacentre.com/