Are Hair Loss Products Better Than Natural Treatments?
Hair Loss TreatmentsIt goes without saying that most people would prefer to tackle hair loss with a natural treatment, so why do some people turn to hair loss products? The simple answer is that they can produce the best results and can help a range of conditions.
The most common cause of hair loss is Androgenetic Alopecia, also known as Male Pattern Baldness and Female Pattern Hair Loss. Over 80% of men and around 50% of women will have a genetic predisposition to developing increased levels of the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT attacks the hair follicles so that they shrivel up. Many men will find their hair follicles completely destroyed and end up bald. Women tend to experience an all-over thinning however some will also see bald patches. While many so-called 'natural' products claim to tackle this condition, the only scientifically proven way of combating DHT is through the use of Minoxidil and Propecia. These products have been found to be safe and effective and, as a result, have been licensed by the MHRA and approved by the FDA, the medical regulatory bodies in the UK and USA respectively.
Minoxidil can be used by both men and women. It comes in various concentrations and the best results are usually seen when the treatment is tailored to suit the individual and combined with the correct hair growth booster product. For example, Minoxidil can be prepared in a 4% and 5% solution with added Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) and in a 12.5% cream with added Azelaic Acid (AA). MPG and AA may help to reduce the adverse effects of DHT and thereby increase the efficacy of the Minoxidil which in turn leads to higher levels of hair re-growth.
The single most effective treatment for Male Pattern Baldness is Propecia. When this is combined with a tailored Minoxidil treatment and the correct hair growth booster, even the most stubborn areas of hair loss can be successfully overcome.
Obviously there is a lot of marketing hype to sift through when it comes to choosing treatment. Added to which, the industry suffers from a high number of rogue traders and exaggerated claims. The advice to avoid confusion is to do some research. Look into companies, read client comments, view photographs and, even better, video diaries to see for yourself the quality of service being offered. A healthy dose of skepticism is always worthwhile but don't become cynical about matters - thousands of men and women manage hair loss everyday and you probably meet them without realising because a good treatment plan can allow a person to maintain their hairstyle as normal with the minimum of fuss.
Obviously, where there are underlying issues such as thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, stress or a poor hair care routine, these must be resolved. Even in these cases, using a short tailored treatment programme with the correct hair loss products can help the hair growth cycle restore itself faster and make the hair look healthier and shinier.
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/.