There is no cure for baldness but hair loss treatment is available to encourage hair growth. The medical term for baldness is alopecia, which is also referred to as hair loss. It may be complete or partial absence of hair. Alopecia may also affect any other part of the body such as eye lashes, eye brows pubic hair. There is a huge amount of variation in the pattern of baldness. Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is the most common. Alopecia areata is patchy baldness, which involves loss of some hair on the scalp. Total baldness is known as alopecia totalis. Hair loss may be due to genetic or environmental causes but these are not completely known to science as yet. Both parents play a role in the development of alopecia. Besides genetics there may be other causes of hair loss. Hair loss may be due to excessive pulling, either compulsive or otherwise. Childbirth, chemotherapy, major surgery or chronic stress may also lead to hair loss. Certain types of infections, hypothyroidism may also lead to alopecia. Complete hair loss from a particular part or all hair on the body is an autoimmune disease. Hair loss due to hyperthyroidism is mostly on the top of the scalp rather than frontal.

There is also lot of folklore attached to hair loss cause. It was believed that it was inherited from the maternal grandfather or due to psychological problems or intense intellectual activity or sexual frustration or emotional stress. While there may be some credence to these, they have never been scientifically proved.

Loss of hair may also be due to improper hair care. Tight pigtails, cornrows and tight rollers may cause what is known as traction alopecia. This may lead to scarring of the scalp but if the pulling is stopped before that, normal hair growth will resume. Scarring, on the other hand, cause permanent hair loss.

Treatments for hair growth are available depending upon what causes hair loss. If it is due to medicines that you are taking, your doctor may prescribe an alternate medication. Treatment may also involve eradicating infection and correcting hormonal imbalances for preventing future hair loss. Certain medicines can also prevent certain types of hair loss.

Many hair loss treatments are available over the counter and do not require a prescription. These may be in the form of topical lotions (minoxidil) that can be applied directly on the scalp. Another clinically proven treatment is finasteride, a synthetic anti-androgen that works on the crown area as well the hairline.

Minoxidil is used more due to its side effect rather than providing a direct cure. Finasteride in low doses has reported success rate of 48% but is ineffective in female baldness. To avoid side effects of conventional medicine herbal and homeopathic hair loss treatment may be used to encourage hair growth in conjunction with a balanced diet.

Health Research

National Alopecia Areata Treatment