Your doctor will likely run a panel to test for any severe vitamin deficiencies that could be responsible as well. For instance, a severe zinc deficiency[4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source or vitamin D deficiency[5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source can lead to hair loss; however, you should still consult a doctor to determine the true cause of your hair loss before self-diagnosing and beginning an over-the-counter vitamin regimen.
If you doctor suspects that the hair loss was due to a vitamin deficiency such as zinc, then a zinc supplement can often reverse the process and lead to regrowth of normal hair quantities. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If your doctor determines that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is to blame for the hair loss, then he or she may prescribe finasteride, which is known more commonly as Propecia or one of its generics. [7] X Research source Finasteride is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in cases of hair loss because it lowers DHT levels in a way that stops hair loss and often achieves a level of regrowth. Side effects of Propecia include depression, sexual dysfunction & prostate cancer. [8] X Research source If your doctor determines that your hair loss is due to the autoimmune disease alopecia areata—which is only about 1% of the population[9] X Research source —then recent findings have shown a class of drugs called JAK inhibitors are effective in regrowing hair. [10] X Research source These drugs stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth by suppressing the body’s immune response to the afflicted hair follicles. The arthritis drug Ruxolitinib has shown some of the most-positive results. [11] X Research source
When applied in early stages of hair loss, minoxidil can not only stop hair loss but often stimulate regrowth. [14] X Research source One of the drawbacks to minoxidil is that it requires strict adherence to the application regimen. When a man stops taking minoxidil, he will lose the regrown hair as a consequence. [15] X Research source
Despite offering a permanent solution, transplant surgery is the most expensive option, often requiring several procedures to build a full look over time. [17] X Research source Hair transplants are also the most common method suggested for regrowing hair in those with bald patches due to burns or other injuries that damaged original hair follicles.
Your doctor will run a panel of tests to check everything from deficiencies to levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
In cases where hormonal abnormalities are present—specifically the presence of excess male hormones known as androgens—medications such as spironolactone (which limits aldosterone production) or oral contraceptives may be the solution. [24] X Research source In cases where the diagnosis is alopecia areata, early data shows that JAK inhibitors such as ruxolitinib can suppress the immune response causing the hair loss. [25] X Research source
For a women who really want to maximize the potential for hair regrowth, a doctor may still prescribe the stronger 5% solution; however, while very effective, this can lead to increased facial hair growth as a side effect. [27] X Research source As with men, one of the major drawbacks of minoxidil for women is that the product requires strict adherence to its application. Regrown hair will quickly recede with discontinued use.
Unfortunately, most women with DHT-related hair loss see a general thinning across the entire scalp as opposed to male pattern baldness which typically affects very specific areas. [29] X Research source This means that finding a donor site of unaffected follicles is more difficult; however, it isn’t impossible. [30] X Research source As with men, transplant options for women are effective but quite expensive.
