Are hair loss treatments just a big scam?

Are hair loss treatments just a big scam?

The hair loss industry doesn't inspire much confidence in most people. I must admit that this is entirely understandable given the damage caused by the many scoundrels and charlatans who have abused the trust of far too many vulnerable people - people who have received worthless and even dangerous products or advice in exchange for their hard-earned money. The end result is the spread of a stigma that the industry has found difficult to shake.

But is this perception really justified today? Are there no real treatments that sufferers can turn to to treat the effects of premature hair loss? The simple answer is YES. There are currently several safe, affordable, accessible and effective hair loss treatments available. Some have even been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss, while others use natural remedies as the basis for commercially available products. Whether or not any of them are suitable for a particular person depends on a number of important factors.

First and foremost, each individual must determine the exact cause or causes of their hair loss. This may seem like an overly simplistic statement, but the truth is that most people who undergo hair loss treatment do so based on self-diagnosis. Given that premature or excessive hair loss is often linked to underlying medical conditions, this may not be the most sensible course of action.

In any case, my advice is to seek advice from a qualified doctor, since in a few cases the consequences of not doing so can be serious. Even if all the evidence points to the onset of hereditary male pattern baldness, it is probably best to seek advice if only to rule out other factors.

Once the cause of hair loss has been properly diagnosed, you can choose an appropriate form of treatment. This can range from prescribing medication to balance imbalanced hormone levels to topical application of minoxidil to reduce symptoms of male pattern baldness.

Hair loss can be caused by many factors including changing hormone levels, illness, stress, overuse of strong chemicals, excessive traction, poor grooming practices, side effects of medical treatment, poor diet, weak immune system and the effects of aging. The good news is that all of this can be addressed with reasonable hope of success, but only if you choose the right treatment.

The next article in this series takes an in-depth look at the various causes of excessive hair loss and outlines recommended treatments that are both affordable and accessible. If you only take two things from this article, please take these suggestions on board:

1. Always consult your doctor before undergoing hair loss treatment.

2. Don't despair, there is often a simple explanation for excessive hair loss, and even hereditary loss or male pattern baldness can be successfully treated for most people these days.

Inspired by Richard Mitchell