However, several other factors can exacerbate hair loss, including:Stress : Both physical and emotional stressors can trigger excessive hair shedding.
PRP injections involve using the patient's blood platelets, which are rich in growth factors, to stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair regrowth.
Additionally, it is advised to avoid smoking, as it can have detrimental effects on hair growth and overall health.
Be patient as hair growth is a slow process, and it can take months to see any results from treatment.
Dandruff causes hair loss: While dandruff can be itchy and irritating, it doesn't directly cause baldness.
Men often assume that if their father or grandfather has bald patches, they too will have to deal with a receding hairline sooner or later.
Tresses significantly contribute to our overall personality, and for many, experiencing bald patches or a receding hairline can negatively impact their confidence.
But we live in the age of social media, and people love sharing their experiences online, often inspiring others.
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Many users on Instagram, for instance, have been documenting their hair regrowth journey.
But the question remains: can men actually regrow the hair they have lost? To answer this, India Today got in touch with a few experts.
First, the need to understand premature hair loss
Explaining why men face premature hair loss, Dr Pawan Singh, consultant dermatologist at Regency Hospital, Kanpur, says that it is commonly attributed to a combination of genetic predisposition and hormonal factors, notably androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.
However, several other factors can exacerbate hair loss, including:
Stress : Both physical and emotional stressors can trigger excessive hair shedding.
: Both physical and emotional stressors can trigger excessive hair shedding. Nutritional deficiencies : Inadequate intake of essential nutrients such as iron, Vitamin D, and biotin can compromise overall hair health.
: Inadequate intake of essential nutrients such as iron, Vitamin D, and biotin can compromise overall hair health. Medical conditions : Underlying health issues like thyroid disorders, scalp infections, and chronic illnesses may contribute to hair loss.
: Underlying health issues like thyroid disorders, scalp infections, and chronic illnesses may contribute to hair loss. Medications : Certain medications used to treat conditions such as cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure can have side-effects that include hair loss.
: Certain medications used to treat conditions such as cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure can have side-effects that include hair loss. Lifestyle factors: Unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic sleep deprivation have been associated with hair thinning and loss.
Giving more details, Dr Priti Karde Shringarpure, a Mumbai-based dermatologist, cosmetologist, and trichologist, mentions that premature hair loss can start in late teens or early twenties.
Can it be reversed?
Dr Singh feels that the potential for reversing hair loss hinges on identifying its underlying cause and initiating treatment promptly.
"Early intervention often yields more favourable results, although complete reversal may not be achievable in all cases. Nevertheless, a range of treatments exists to impede further progression of hair loss and encourage regrowth," he adds.
On the other hand, Dr Sravya C Tipirneni, consultant dermatologist, cosmetologist, and trichologist, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, feels that reversing complete baldness is unlikely.
"Viral videos showing dramatic hair regrowth can be misleading. While certain treatments can slow hair loss or promote some regrowth, results are individual and often modest," she shares.
The doctor adds that it's important to be cautious about the dramatic results often portrayed on social media.
Individual variability: Hair-loss treatments work differently for everyone. Factors like genetics, age, and the severity of hair loss can significantly influence outcomes. What works wonders for one person might have minimal effect on another.
Hair-loss treatments work differently for everyone. Factors like genetics, age, and the severity of hair loss can significantly influence outcomes. What works wonders for one person might have minimal effect on another. Selective presentation: Social media posts often showcase success stories but may not depict the typical experience. There's a chance the videos you saw only included people with the most dramatic regrowth, creating an unrealistic expectation.
"In today's world of Photoshop and artificial intelligence, you cannot discount the fact that it might have been manipulated in order to look better than it actually is," mentions the doctor.
What about viral derma rollers and serums?
The experts feel that viral derma rollers and hair serums can indeed be beneficial for promoting hair growth, albeit their effectiveness may vary depending on individual factors.
Derma rollers create micro-injuries on the scalp, which can enhance blood circulation and stimulate collagen production, thus encouraging hair growth.
Meanwhile, hair growth serums often contain key ingredients such as minoxidil, peptides, and vitamins.
Minoxidil, an FDA-approved component, has demonstrated efficacy in stimulating hair follicles and fostering growth.
"Hormonal medications like minoxidil, finasteride, or dutasteride treat the root cause and hence, are beneficial. Minoxidil is an external medication to treat hair loss. It helps slow down hair loss and may promote some regrowth. Finasteride is another such medication, but it comes with side effects and isn't for everyone," says Dr Priti Karde Shringarpure.
Further, Dr Pawan Singh mentions that ketoconazole shampoo, biotin supplements, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy are also gaining popularity. Viral derma rollers and hair serums can be beneficial (Photo: Getty Images)
The doctor, specialising in hair loss, also shares a comprehensive treatment approach:
Assessment : Begin by thoroughly evaluating the underlying cause of hair loss through a detailed medical history, blood tests to assess for nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances, and a comprehensive scalp examination.
: Begin by thoroughly evaluating the underlying cause of hair loss through a detailed medical history, blood tests to assess for nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances, and a comprehensive scalp examination. Topical treatments : Dr Singh recommends the use of minoxidil, along with a ketoconazole shampoo to address any underlying scalp conditions such as dandruff or inflammation.
: Dr Singh recommends the use of minoxidil, along with a ketoconazole shampoo to address any underlying scalp conditions such as dandruff or inflammation. Oral medications : The doctor says that he would consider prescribing finasteride, an oral medication that can effectively inhibit the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is associated with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
: The doctor says that he would consider prescribing finasteride, an oral medication that can effectively inhibit the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is associated with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Microneedling : Incorporate microneedling techniques using derma rollers or professional microneedling devices to enhance the absorption of topical treatments, stimulate blood flow to the scalp, and promote the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for healthy hair growth.
: Incorporate microneedling techniques using derma rollers or professional microneedling devices to enhance the absorption of topical treatments, stimulate blood flow to the scalp, and promote the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for healthy hair growth. PRP therapy : This therapy can be considered an advanced treatment option. PRP injections involve using the patient's blood platelets, which are rich in growth factors, to stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair regrowth.
: This therapy can be considered an advanced treatment option. PRP injections involve using the patient's blood platelets, which are rich in growth factors, to stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair regrowth. Lifestyle and nutrition: Maintain a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients for hair health, manage stress levels, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Additionally, it is advised to avoid smoking, as it can have detrimental effects on hair growth and overall health.
Trying to grow your hair back? Here are some tips
Early intervention is the key. The sooner you address hair loss, the better the chance of slowing it down and potentially seeing regrowth.
Be realistic about your expectations. Treatments can slow loss and promote some regrowth, but complete hair restoration is often not achievable.
Be patient as hair growth is a slow process, and it can take months to see any results from treatment.
Experts suggest seeing a qualified dermatologist or trichologist to understand the root cause and getting individualised treatment.
Avoid harsh chemicals like dyes and colours, hairstyling, and blow-drying as that can damage hair follicles.
Before you go, let experts bust some hair-loss myths
Frequent shampooing causes hair loss: The fact is that regular cleansing is good for your scalp to keep it healthy.
The fact is that regular cleansing is good for your scalp to keep it healthy. Hats or caps cause baldness: Instead, genes and hormones are the main causes.
Instead, genes and hormones are the main causes. Plucking grey hair leads to more grey hair: That doesn't happen, as grey hair is a natural part of ageing.
That doesn't happen, as grey hair is a natural part of ageing. Dandruff causes hair loss: While dandruff can be itchy and irritating, it doesn't directly cause baldness.
Published By: Mehak Malhotra Published On: May 31, 2024
