Hair loss is a big concern for many men and even women.
Some hair loss is normal, hereditary and/or age related. But sometimes it can be an indication of a current health condition you have.
In fact, sudden or unexpected hair loss is often associated with other more serious medical conditions.
The good news is that there are treatments available for hair loss that can help reduce or, in some cases, reverse it.
Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in medical conditions that affect the skin, hair, and mucous membrane as well as other things. Going to a dermatologist may be a good idea for those looking to do something about their hair loss.
So, what are the options that dermatologists may recommend you use to treat hair loss? And, if medication is necessary, what do dermatologists prescribe for hair loss?
In this article, you’ll get an overview of the most common recommendations that many dermatologists will give their patients who want to regrow their hair.
What Do Dermatologists Prescribe For Hair Loss?
Dermatologists prescribe certain medications that can help in treating your hair loss problems. These certain prescription medications that dermatologists prescribe include the following:
- Finasteride (Propecia®) – Finasteride (Propecia®) is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat male pattern hair loss. This medication is taken in pills once a day. You may notice improvements after 4 months of taking this medication consistently. This medication is also prescribed for women experiencing hair loss. Women on Finasteride should not get pregnant.
- Spironolactone – This is a medication for women experiencing pattern hair loss. It is important for users that they are not pregnant while taking this prescription medication, as it can cause birth defects.
Those are the two most common drugs that you can expect a dermatologist to prescribe. But there are other options available besides prescriptions. Below we’ll cover some of the other ways that dermatologists treat hair loss in their patients. We’ll cover both surgical and non-surgical options.
Surgical Hair Loss Procedures
- Hair transplantation – In this procedure, the scalp that has good hair growth is removed. Then it is transplanted to areas of the scalp that needs hair.
- Scalp reduction – The bald scalp is surgically removed. Then the scalp that grows hair is brought closer together in order to reduce balding.
- Scalp flaps – In this procedure, the scalp that grows hair is moved to where the scalp needs hair.
Alternatively, there are over-the-counter medications that can treat your hair loss.
Over-the-counter Medicine For Hair Loss
Here are some of the over-the-counter medications and remedies that are used for treating hair loss:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine) – Minoxidil is an FDA -approved OTC medication that comes in liquid foam and shampoo. It is applied to the scalp and stops the hair from getting thinner. It also stimulates hair growth on the top of the scalp where it is applied. It can be used by both men and women.
- NUTRAFOL – NUTRAFOL is a natural supplement containing nutraceuticals. These supplements are made using certain ingredients such as medical-grade plant extracts.
Other Solutions
- Laser devices – Handheld devices that emit lasers such as brushes, combs and hats that produce laser light can stimulate hair growth. The FDA approves these products and classifies them as medical devices. Because they are considered medical devices, laser products do not undergo strict tests that medicines usually undergo.
- PRP for hair loss – PRP is a procedure of injecting the patient’s own blood platelets to promote restoration for many conditions including hair loss.
