Bald can be a beautiful thing. For celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, and Vin Diesel, they’ve made bald a part of their brand. But if you’re one of the 50% of men and 20% of women experiencing hair loss, you might be a bit more concerned.
Hair can be a big part of self-image. It represents youth, vigor, and beauty. This means that the loss of hair–whether from age, genetics, or other factors–can change the way you feel about yourself.
But if you’re struggling with hair loss, don’t give up hope just yet. The wonders of modern technology are already hard at work on stimulating hair growth.
Want to know the future of hair loss? Here’s what could be on the horizon–including a possible cure for baldness.
1. Hair Transplant Surgery
While hair transplant surgery has been around for a while, it’s becoming more and more mainstream.
This surgery works by moving grafts of hair from the back of the head to the temples and the crown. The process is pretty painstaking–hair is moved only two to four follicles at a time. It can take a long time too, up to 48 hours.
But the results can be impressive. Within a few months, you’ll notice new growth. After six to nine months, most people will see 60% of new hair growth.
The surgery costs between $4,000 and $10,000, depending on how much hair you’re looking to transplant and where you get the procedure done. While it can be a little pricey, the results are significant and completely permanent.
2. Laser Hair Restoration
You might know that lasers are often used to remove hair, but did you know that they can be used as a solution for hair loss too? Then you should hair transparent immediately and get the hair transparent before and after results.
When lasers are used to remove hair–but without the right energy–it causes the hair to grow instead. So when hair follicles are stimulated to reactivate hair cells, you may notice new growth.
This laser light therapy won’t bring dead follicles back to life, but it can stimulate declining follicles to make hair thicker, fuller, and longer.
Laser hair restoration can be done in an office, but there are at home solutions as well, including caps and laser combs. Thinking about trying this new hair loss solution? Learn more about laser hair restoration–and what it can do for you.
3. Minoxidil (Rogaine)
You don’t have to go for surgery to stimulate your hair growth. There are pharmaceutical solutions available too, including Minoxidil (a.k.a Rogaine).
These products are applied topically to the scalp. In most men and women, it can slow down or stop hair loss.
But it stimulates growth too–in up to a quarter of people who take it, Minoxidil can encourage new hair growth. Many report stronger and more lustrous hair after three months or more.
These pharmaceutical solutions work best when used as soon as hair loss or deterioration is noticed.
It’s available over the counter, so you don’t need a prescription to get these treatments. But it’s best to use while speaking to a primary care doctor. If your baldness is caused by an underlying medical condition like thyroid dysfunction, these treatments won’t work.
4. Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine was never meant for hair growth at all. It was originally tested as an immunosuppressant, which means it was used to help patients stop rejecting transplanted organs after surgery.
One unexpected side effect? It stimulated hair growth–often on parts of the body where people didn’t want more.
These dramatic results might not have been what transplant patients were looking for, but if tweaked, this drug could prove to be the perfect solution for hair loss.
Manchester University announced last year that they’re working on adapting the drug Cyclosporine to work directly on hair loss and provide an extremely effective solution to male and female pattern baldness. This might be a cure that isn’t as invasive or expensive as hair transplant surgery–but it could provide the same results.
4. Finasteride
One main hair loss treatments that’s well recommended and FDA approved is finasteride. It’s also called by its brand name Propecia.
Finasteride inhibits an enzyme called dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that causes hair loss in men. It converts testosterone to DHT. Unlike other drugs, it can inhibit further hair loss as well as stimulate new growth. Up to two-thirds of men taking this treatment can see improvements in hair growth and density over time.
These pills are taken orally each day. While this is only available with a prescription, you can also order it online after virtual consultation.
5. Hair Growth Shampoos and Vitamins
Surgeries, laser treatments, prescription medications, and topical treatments have all been proven to stimulate hair growth. But what about products you might see on the shelf like shampoos or vitamins that claim to block DHT?
Topical products like shampoo or supplemental vitamins may help you have stronger, healthier hair. But any claims that these can stimulate hair growth or cure baldness are unlikely.
Anything applied to the scalp and then rinsed off will likely not have a significant effect. Similarly, vitamins may help strengthen hair, but they’re not strong enough to act as DHT blockers.
It’s possible that hair growth supplements like biotin could help promote hair growth when combined with other treatments, but otherwise, these shampoos and vitamins will probably not have the effect you’re looking for.
Stimulating Hair Growth One Treatment At a Time
Armed with new tools and technologies, researchers are learning more about how to alter the complex system of chemicals in the body, including creating new treatments for hair loss.
Not all of these treatments are ready for clinical trials–and most don’t boast the absolute cure for baldness. But by stimulating hair growth, inhibiting hair loss, and boosting the strength and thickness of existing hair, these treatments are improving each year. You never know, a cure for hair loss might be right around the corner.
Looking for more tips to stay on top of your health? Check out our health section to learn more about how to take care of your body and mind.