Five ways to prevent balding
30th September 2019
Despite the array of shampoos, vitamins and alternative therapies on offer that promise to stop balding in its tracks, unfortunately, there are no sure-fire ways to completely stop hair loss. However, there are a few precautions you can take to slow it down. As hair loss is progressive, early intervention is better – so as soon as you start to notice it, you can take action.
DITCH THE BAD HABITS
To keep your hair in top condition, you’ve got to treat it with the care it deserves! Washing your hair in scalding water, overdoing the hot styling tools and failing to protect it from the sun can all make your hair fragile, brittle and more likely to break, whilst repeatedly wearing it in tight hairstyles can cause traction alopecia. Of course, chemically treating your hair – for example, perming or bleaching it – is also damaging, as it changes the structure of your hair. If you must colour or treat it, use deep-conditioning hair masks and heat protectants between treatments.
MEDICATIONS
As it stands, there are two clinically-proven drugs that can prevent further hair loss – minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is a topical treatment that is thought to increase blood flow and nutrient uptake to the hair follicles, making the hair stronger and thicker, especially at the crown of the head.
Finasteride blocks the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that has been linked to balding, which shrinks the hair follicle and shortens the growth cycle. It’s designed for long-term use – once you’ve started using it, you need to stick with it, as otherwise the hair that you have regrown will fall out.
KEEP HEALTHY
When you’re not getting the right nutrients or vitamins, your body stops seeing your hair cycle as a priority, because the nutrients and energy that you are intaking are diverted to your vital organs instead. So, if you’re not eating properly, or if you’ve been ill, you may notice that your hair looks duller than normal. It’s important to stay fit and healthy for your overall wellbeing, but it can have a noticeable impact on your locks – just like your skin, it can be a visible sign of inner health. Make sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein, iron, and vitamins A, C, D, E and B-vitamins. Check out our recommended nutritional supplements on our website.
INJECTIBLE TREATMENTS
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections aim to stimulate the existing miniaturising hairs with special proteins called growth factors. These are known to play a role in hair growth. After the initial 3 treatments, you will most likely need 1-2 treatments a year to maintain the benefits.
GET A HAIR TRANSPLANT
It may seem like a drastic step, but if your hair loss is advanced, a hair transplant could be your best bet. If your hair loss is caused by pattern baldness, you could be a particularly strong candidate for surgery, but it can also treat hair loss caused by external trauma, such as burns. It won’t work if you have gone completely bald as it relies on active hair follicles being transplanted into thinning areas of the scalp, but it’s a long-term solution to the problem! If you’d like to find out more, come along for a consultation.
