Toupee/wig

The old classic toupee has benefited from advances in materials, but it is still difficult for a fake hairpiece to be totally convincing.

Hair implants

The term ‘hair implants‘ is usually used when referring to artificial strands of clumps of hair. These are surgically implanted, and the latest technology in this area produces quite good results.

Hair transplants

Hair transplants are a more advanced procedure in which sections of the scalp which still have healthy hair growing are surgically removed and transplanted onto areas of the scalp that have no hair remaining. The procedure depends on the presence of healthy hair in some areas of the scalp. There’s a good post about this over at the Hair Restoration Blog.

Medication

There are lots of medications for hair loss besides vitamins; but only a few have been approved for use by the FDA and have clinical trials confirming that they work. These medications have a range of methods of action. One, Rogaine, works by improving the health of follicles so that they produce healthier hair.

Some women may notice an increase in hair loss after pregnancy. This is normal, as you actually lose less hair while you are pregnant. Once you give birth your hormones start to return to normal, and you lose the extra hair that you would have normally lost during pregnancy.

Many women will find that their hair starts to thin after menopause. Up to three quarters of women are affected by hair loss  later in life. Fortunately, some of this hair loss is only temporary. There are a range of hair loss treatments available for women in this situation, including lotions and medication. Talk to your doctor about what is best for your situation. Of course, taking vitamins for your hair loss may also help with hair growth and strength but check with your doctor if you are pregnant or on any other medication.

• Brown rice, peas, oats, sunflower seeds, walnuts, lentils and soybeans. These are good sources of biotin.
• Beans, carrots, cauliflower, bran, eggs and nuts – all good sources of B vitamins. Another good source of B vitamins is brewers yeast, as an alternative to a tablet.
• Dairy, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, meat. All good sources of zinc.
• Tomato, spinach and almonds are good sources of vitamin E.

There is some common ground in this list so far. By just including some obviously healthy foods in your diet like green leafy vegetables, whole grains and pulses, and eggs, dairy and lean meat in moderation, you will be increasing your health overall and increasing your intake of hair strengthening vitamins and minerals. A simple natural hair loss treatment but an effective one!

Omega 3 fatty acids
Essential fatty acids are in fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and halibut. They also occur naturally in aome plants and nut oils. Omega 3 fatty acids help your hair grow, and they also improve hair health. This means that your hair is less likely to be brittle and prone to breaking or pulling out.

B complex vitamins
There are 8 separate vitamins in this group: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyroxidine, biotin, folic acid, and another sub-class of compunds referred to as B12. B vitamins are best taken as a group, as they work together in synergy. It is important to take a good quality B complex vitamin supplement, as some cheaper products are not optimised in terms of the amount and quality of each B vitamin. Many of the B group vitamins help hair health and growth in different ways. Pyridoxine works by preventing testosterone from being converted to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT ). DHT is a natural product of your body that is a big contributor to hair loss. Folic and pantothenic acids help hair to grow healthy and strong.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C may help with hair health by improving circulation in your scalp, which helps to carry blood to the follicles that produce hair.

Inositol and Choline
These compounds help to protect follicles in the scalp from damage. They are important parts of your diet, and hair loss is actually a symptom of inositol deficiency.

Vitamin E and Zinc
These can help to stimulate the growth of hair by keeping your immune system working properly.

There are no one-size-fits-all treatments for baldness, as it can have different causes.

Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness is often hereditary from either side of the family. Heredity may determine at what age you lose hair, and how quickly.

Skin conditions and scarring

A range of conditions can lead to the loss of hair, or e growth of thinner hair. Alopecia areata is a condition taht may cause loss of areas of hair, followed by regrowth. Hair groth patterns can also be effected by major emotional stress or physical stressors such as surgery, illness, or excessive rapid weight loss.

Poor nutrition

Hair loss caused by poor nutrition is fortunately something that can be treated by vitamins. A lack of various vitamins and minerals in your diet can certainly cause hair loss or baldness. Taking B vitamins for hair loss is a good start, although there are a range of vitamins that you need in a balanced diet.

Other causes

Other causes for hair loss include medications, crash dieting, hormonal changes due to pregnancy or birth control medication, excessive hair treatments like coloring or heat treating. If you fall into any of these categories, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to make sure you are getting a balanced range of vitamins and minerals in your diet. However check with a health professional if you are taking other medications before starting on any new vitamin supplements.