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How can I Regrow Hair?

Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter

It is normal to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs every day. The average head of hair has so many individual hairs that this loss is not noticeable. It is only when the pace of hair loss outpaces the pace that new hairs grow in that thinning hair and baldness become noticeable.

There are a variety of treatments that can be used to regrow hair. The success of each method depends on the individual, the reason for the hair loss, and the patient’s compliance with the treatment method. The main drawback to each of these methods is that it can take some time to see any positive results. This can lead the patient to believe the preparation is not working, and they discontinue treatment.

Anthralin is a medication that can stimulate hair follicles to regrow hair.
Anthralin is a medication that can stimulate hair follicles to regrow hair.

Minoxidil is an over the counter preparation. It is available as a foam or a liquid. The patient massages minoxidil into the scalp twice a day. This preparation has been shown to both regrow hair and prevent further hair loss. It may be three months before patients see new hair growth from minoxidil. If, after six months, the patient does not see any results, the product is probably not going to be effective for that particular person.

Finasteride is commonly prescribed to treat hair loss in men.
Finasteride is commonly prescribed to treat hair loss in men.

Anthralin is a prescription medication originally developed for use on patients with psoriasis. It is available as a cream or an ointment. It can stimulate the hair follicles to regrow hair. Results from this medication take about twelve weeks to appear.

Corticosteroids are available from a physician. The most effective way to use this medication is through monthly injections into the scalp, although it is also available as a cream and in pill form. This treatment produces rapid results, with new hair growth often visible within one month.

There are a variety of treatments that can be used to regrow hair.
There are a variety of treatments that can be used to regrow hair.

Finasteride is a prescription medication that is used to treat male pattern baldness. It is taken orally. Not only does finasteride regrow hair, but it also slows the rate of existing hair loss. It is a highly potent medication and should not be handled by women who are or may be pregnant. It can also lead to a reduced sex drive or sexual function problems.

Male pattern baldness -- a receding hairline at the forehead and a bald patch at the back of the head -- can be caused by genetics and related to the hormone testosterone.
Male pattern baldness -- a receding hairline at the forehead and a bald patch at the back of the head -- can be caused by genetics and related to the hormone testosterone.

There are surgical ways to reduce the appearance of hair loss. While they do not regrow hair, they are effective ways to treat baldness. Scalp reduction surgery is when a surgeon removes the skin on the scalp that has stopped producing hair. The doctor then pulls the remaining skin tightly over the skull and stitches it into place.

Hair transplants are another surgical treatment for hair loss. The patient’s own hair is removed, along with tiny pieces of skin, from the back and sides of the head. The surgeon reattaches the hair pieces on the bald areas. It may take several surgeries to complete the look. Both of these surgeries should only be performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Discussion Comments

rachelsjulia

Get your hair regularly cut (every six or eight weeks)

at your hairdresser to keep your hair looking healthy

and trust me you'll notice a difference. I get my hair

trimmed every six or eight weeks and my hair has grown

a lot in the past few months and I also took vitamins for hair growth.

burcinc

@burcidi-- That's a good point. My husband is using minoxidil and the side effect he experiences most often is an itchy scalp. Aside from that, I think the medication can also cause headaches and change in blood pressure among other things. A friend of mine also used medication for hair fall, I don't recollect the name, but she had to stop using it because of an allergic reaction.

I'm not sure about the natural alternatives you mentioned but if any of them work, people should give them a chance. I think that prescriptive medicines are preferred because they give fast results and are available in pill form which is more convenient. Medications for hair growth stop working when you stop using them but I imagine that the same is true for any treatment.

burcidi

Is it possible to regrow hair naturally without prescriptive medications?

I read an article on Burma which talked about the application of the juices of the banana tree by the locals to regrow hair and to make hair stronger. I also often hear about different oils like olive oil and coconut oil that are supposed to prevent hair loss and make hair healthier.

Are there any studies done on these natural alternatives and whether they really regrow hair? And do these prescriptive medications for hair growth have any serious side effects?

anon39661

I'm a 27 year old chick who has just discovered that I have Alopecia.

A friend and I were playing around and as I turned my hair she noticed a small bald patch behind my hair. As I untied my hair and started pulling my hair back my girlfriend burst into tears.

I have a patch of hair missing the size of my palm which is so embarrassing, and what makes it worse is that my hair is long and healthy and I don't want to lose it.

Does anyone know of a cheap solution, apart from a wig? Yours sincerely, Patches from beyond

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    • Anthralin is a medication that can stimulate hair follicles to regrow hair.
      By: turhanerbas
      Anthralin is a medication that can stimulate hair follicles to regrow hair.
    • Finasteride is commonly prescribed to treat hair loss in men.
      By: diego cervo
      Finasteride is commonly prescribed to treat hair loss in men.
    • There are a variety of treatments that can be used to regrow hair.
      By: vladimirfloyd
      There are a variety of treatments that can be used to regrow hair.
    • Male pattern baldness -- a receding hairline at the forehead and a bald patch at the back of the head -- can be caused by genetics and related to the hormone testosterone.
      By: draganica
      Male pattern baldness -- a receding hairline at the forehead and a bald patch at the back of the head -- can be caused by genetics and related to the hormone testosterone.
    • A head massage can help promote hair growth.
      By: Lsantilli
      A head massage can help promote hair growth.
    • Smoking, which reduces circulation to the extremities and pollutes the blood, may promote hair loss.
      By: illustrez-vous
      Smoking, which reduces circulation to the extremities and pollutes the blood, may promote hair loss.
    • Individuals suffering from hypothyroidism may experience hair loss.
      By: stockshoppe
      Individuals suffering from hypothyroidism may experience hair loss.
    • Hair transplants may help treat hair loss.
      By: prudkov
      Hair transplants may help treat hair loss.
    • Hair loss may be a direct result of sudden--and drastic--weight loss.
      By: Lsantilli
      Hair loss may be a direct result of sudden--and drastic--weight loss.