Hair loss can come from a variant of topics; stress, age, unhealthy diet/lifestyle and so on. So if you feel like you could benefit more from a few extra strands, keep on reading.
We’ve all heard of some crazy treatments to halt hair loss from drinking the freshly harvested urine of virgin cows to massaging onion juice into the scalp, these supposed remedies all have their committed followers. But which, if any, treatments actually work when it comes to reversing hair loss?
Here’s a few that are proven to help, so keep an eye out for these ingredients within your washing routine!
Finasteride
Finasteride (better known under the brand name Propecia) is currently the most effective treatment for male-pattern baldness available. A prescription medicine, it comes in tablet form and should be taken once a day. Male-pattern baldness is a genetic condition that causes the hormone testosterone to be converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which in turn causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually die. Finasteride works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into DHT, therefore reducing the negative effects that this hormone has on the hair. Studies have found that when taken over a long period of time, finasteride can have positive effects in up to 90% of men with mild to moderate hair loss, while around two-thirds actually see hair regrowth. It’s important to be aware that you’ll probably need to take the tablets for around three months or longer before you notice any improvements, and your hair loss is likely to resume if you stop treatment.
Minoxidil
Widely known under the brand name Regaine, minoxidil is a lotion that you apply twice daily directly to your scalp. It’s thought to work by helping blood flow to the follicles and by increasingly follicular size. Although it’s not as effective as finasteride, it’s been shown to bring positive results to many of those who use it. One study found that 60% of men who used it experienced more hair coverage, compared with 23% of men who used a placebo treatment. A non-prescription treatment, minoxidil comes as a foam, liquid or lotion and it’s available in strengths of 2% and 5%. As with finasteride, if you stop using it, your hair loss is likely to resume.
Invest more attention into your diet by making mindful choices about what you put on your plate. Exercise is also a brilliant way of getting the blood pumping around your body and encouraging more blood to your scalp. The biggest trick I was ever taught that massively benefited my hair was putting more ground black pepper on my food, I swear by it, and it’s fab because I love the taste of peppery foods.
Here are some of the best foods you can have to promote healthy thick hair:
Eggs, berries, spinach, oily fish, sweet potato, avocado, nuts, beans and red meat.
Change Your Diet & Exercise Habits
Take On Less Stress
We all need some me time once in a while, so by detoxing your life from as many stresses as possible will aid your hair journey. It’s been suggested that your hair is 6 months behind you, so if you’ve been through a particularly detrimental patch of time you’ll notice it in your hair brush more. Try yoga, mindfulness, doing something that makes you very happy and remembering to wind down appropriately.
If you’ve ever had an Indian head massage you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say they are revolutionary for thickening hair. Ever since my dad many years ago trained to do them, I was pretty much demanding to have my scalp massaged every week. They’re bliss for when you’re super stressed, have a migraine and all the better that they make your hair grow quicker, thicker and stronger. The blood flow after constant firm massaging gives you an instant rush of blood to your head, which makes you incredibly relaxed, and with a fluffy head of hair! If you’re not willing to head to see someone for an Indian head massage, try one at home by using the ends of your fingertips to firm agitate the scalp until you feel increased warmth on your head.
Massage Your Scalp
Try Chemist Approved Hair Loss Treatments
Sometimes life just takes it own course, hair loss is very common and especially so with men as some start to gain a receding hairline from their 20’s. Even if you’ve tried all the tips recommended in this post, there’s always hair loss treatment options at the LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor who are NHS accredited and registered with the Care Quality Commission.
