Understanding Your Treatment Options for Hair Loss

A widening part, itchy scalp, and bald patches. If you’ve noticed these symptoms, they could be indicators of hair loss, or alopecia. 

You usually have about 100,000 hairs on your head at any given time. Each day you lose about 50-100 hairs, but they’re quickly replaced with new strands. However, if these lost hairs aren’t replaced, you can end up with bald patches or very thin hair. 

While hair loss can happen for a number of reasons — from genetics to a vitamin deficiency, how it’s treated can both depend on why it’s happening and what your personal preferences are. 

At Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street in Washington, DC, our team of dermatologists understands that hair loss can be stressful, so we offer a wide range of treatments in hopes that one will be just right for you. This month’s blog explores all of those options to help you in your decision. 

Over-the-counter and prescription medications

There are a wide range of medications that you can use to address hair loss, and they’re often very effective for minor hair loss. Let’s examine a few in detail:

Minoxidil (over-the-counter)

Minoxidil, most commonly found in the brand Rogaine, is an over-the-counter medication that comes in the form of liquid, soap, and shampoo. You need to apply minoxidil topically 1-2 times a day to prevent further hair loss and encourage new hair growth. To keep up the effects, you’ll have to use it indefinitely. 

Finasteride (prescription)

Finasteride is a prescription oral medication especially helpful for male-pattern baldness. It can also slow down hair loss and encourage new growth over the course of a few months. This medication option also requires long-term use to maintain results. 

Other prescription medication options include spironolactone and dutasteride.

Low-level laser therapy 

Laser therapy is a relatively new hair loss treatment, but it has shown promising results, especially when used to address hair loss related to age or genetics. 

During this treatment, a low-dose laser is directed toward the areas of your scalp that are balding or thinning to stimulate new hair growth. After a few sessions, you should notice that your hair grows back thicker and stronger. 

Hair transplant surgery

Although hair transplant surgery is the most drastic treatment for hair loss, it’s also the most effective. During the surgery, our team takes a small patch of skin from your scalp that has hair and transplants it to the bald area. The hair follicles in that patch of skin allow for new hair growth. 

To learn more about your options for treating hair loss, schedule an appointment with us by calling or using our online booking feature today.