Hair Loss 101: Causes, Types, and Treatment

Don’t lose the battle against hair loss—fight back.

When you start noticing your locks are falling out, it’s easy to feel like losing it. But here’s the good news: There is hope. 

You’re bound to have seen plenty of hair treatment shampoos, conditioners, masks, oils, and serums off the shelf or even some recipes for at-home treatments. While some of these options could be effective for others, they may not provide the same level of results as professional treatments.

The key to selecting the most effective hair treatment options is finding out the root cause through a professional assessment and selecting one that’s best suited for your hair type. So sit back and let your hair down—we’re here to dive into the importance of understanding the culprits and the various hair remedies available for hair loss (advanced therapies, medicinal treatments, and surgical procedures).

Let’s Get To the Root of It All: Understanding Hair Loss

We know—it’s easy to feel stressed out when you see countless strands falling off. But you’re not alone; hair loss is a common problem that affects both men and women.

What Are The Causes of Hair Loss?

There are plenty of root causes behind it—some are factors you have little control over, while other causes can be easily prevented. This includes:

• Genetics (the most common cause of hair loss that affects millions worldwide) 
• Age (rate of hair growth slows as hair strands become smaller and less pigmented) 
• The use of heat styling & chemical treatments (bleach, hair straighteners, etc.)  
• Hormonal changes (typically occurs during pregnancy or menopause) 
• Medical conditions (thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, scalp infections, cancer, lupus etc.)

The use of certain medications (chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, antifungal drugs, steroids, anti-depressants, etc.)

What Are the Types of Hair Loss?

• Androgenetic alopecia –  the most common type of hair loss that’s caused by genetics or the heightened sensitivity of scalp follicles to dihydro-testosterone. 

• Alopecia areata – an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body.

• Traction alopecia – caused by repeatedly pulling the hair, often through tight hairstyles such as braids or ponytails. 

• Telogen effluvium – a temporary form of hair loss that occurs after a stressful event, such as surgery or childbirth. 

• Trichotillomania – a psychological disorder that causes individuals to pull out their own hair.

Other Factors That Impact Hair Health

• Diet
• Stress levels 
• Exercise
• Shampoo & conditioner products 

The First Step To Battling Hair Loss: An Expert Assessment

Assessment of Hair Health

What you’re looking for is a hair loss treatment option that really works. Before choosing one, it’s essential to accurately assess the current health of your hair. It’s easy to feel tempted to make a self-diagnosis, but nothing beats an assessment of an expert—especially if you’re experiencing a more severe case of hair loss. 

A dermatologist can take a closer look at your scalp health as well as your hair texture, thickness, elasticity, and strength. They’ll also be able to carry out more comprehensive hair analysis to determine the underlying cause and the most effective course of treatment for you. 

What Are The Remedies For Hair Loss?

Advanced Therapies

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Therapy

• Minimally invasive 
• Requires no downtime

PRP Therapy Melbourne involves injecting a concentrated form of the patient’s own blood plasma into the scalp. Because plasma contains growth factors, this hair treatment works by stimulating growth and improving the overall health of hair follicles.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

• Non-invasive
• Painless
• Requires no downtime 

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses low-power lasers to penetrate the scalp and stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, promoting hair growth and improving the overall health of the scalp.

Stem Cell Therapy 

• Require minimal downtime
• More research is needed to determine its safety and effectiveness

Having the potential to regenerate damaged hair follicles and promote hair growth, stem cells are injected into the scalp as a form of cutting-edge hair treatment.

Medicinal Treatments

Topical Treatments 

• Minoxidil

Over-the-counter treatments that contain ingredients like minoxidil, can help stimulate hair growth for mild to moderate cases. However, it typically takes several months before improvement is seen, and the effects may wear off once the treatment is halted.

Oral Medications

• Finasteride

Prescription-only medications that contain ingredients like finasteride work by blocking the production of a hormone that can cause hair loss. 

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs containing corticosteroids should only be used for severe hair loss cases under the supervision of a doctor, as they could cause serious side effects. Containing immune system suppressors, these topical medications or injections can counteract the effects of autoimmune diseases.

Surgical Procedures

Hair Transplantation

By successfully removing hair follicles from one part of the scalp (typically the back or sides) and transplanting them to areas experiencing hair loss, patients can experience hair that grows naturally and can even be styled & treated just like the rest of the hair on your scalp.

Scalp Reduction

During this surgical procedure, a medical expert will remove sections of the bald scalp and pull the remaining hair-bearing skin closer together to reduce the size of the bald area. To achieve optimal results, it can be combined with hair transplantation. 

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

Known as a more minimally invasive procedure, it entails removing clusters of hair follicles from the scalp and transplanting them to areas of thinning or balding hair. This sutureless hair treatment is less invasive than traditional transplantation and typically results in less scarring & faster recovery times.

Win the Battle Against Hair Loss 

Ready to win the battle against hair loss?

We’ll be your strongest soldiers. 
Contact us today to learn more about our hair treatment options.

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