This is what a cosmetic surgeon suggests you can do to revive dead hair follicles

If you have tried applying and eating everything under the sun to make your hair grow back then it’s time to take a deep breath and read what Dr Mohan Thomas, a cosmetic surgeon has to say. 

Different lifestyle choices and pressures that come with millennial existence contribute heavily to concerns around hair loss. Hair loss whether in a male or a female can be extremely painful. Also, hair fall is like a vicious circle as it causes added stress which in turn causes hair fall. 

Oversensitive hair follicle is one of the reasons when it comes to hair fall
One of the main reasons we lack an effective way to prevent hair loss is that we still understand bafflingly little about the molecular mechanisms that underpin human hair growth and loss. Each hair follicle on our scalp is a miniature organ, which follows its own rhythmic cycle of growth, regression, and rests throughout our lifetimes.

With age, some of them become sensitive to hormones most notably dihydrotestosterone or DHT, which binds to the follicles and shrinks them until the hair is lost. However, the complete process of miniaturization including enzymes and cofactors have not been completely studied so as to prevent it.

It’s not just about your age – Hair fall is also about the lifestyle choices you make
The cause for hair fall is myriad like unhealthy lifestyles, nutritional deficiencies especially after massive weight loss, allergies, hormonal imbalances, poor hair care, and genetics. Unfortunately, there is no one treatment that can solve the hair loss problem rather a combination of measures is required which do help reverse it. The causes of female loss range often from iron deficiency to thyroid abnormalities to childbirth.

Each hair follicle survives in a cycle consisting of a long period of growth followed by a relatively short period of rest. It is still attached to its roots during this resting phase but there is no growth. After this stage, the hair falls off and a new hair grows in its place. At any one time about 10 percent of the hair follicles are in the resting or the shedding phase but because they are randomly distributed there is no area of patchy loss normally.

As a rule, the earlier hair loss begins, the more severe the baldness will become. However, hairs on the back of your head are genetically programmed and scheduled to last long. For both sexes, hair loss causes diminished self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of social inadequacy.

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Because nothing else will work on a dead scalp hence you need to take the help of a hair loss treatment
Treatment for hair loss includes hair maintenance, hair loss prevention as well as hair growth. These treatments are primarily grouped into three types:

1. Medications for hair loss
2. Surgical treatments to bring the hair in areas where no root are present
3. Artificial skin for people in whom no hair growth or replacement is possible.

Most, if not all, of these, are designed to slow down the shedding of your hair, promote growth, and in some cases, hide hair loss. So, let’s take each of them one by one. 

Also, read: Pollution is causing your hair to fall out! Here’s how to keep your tresses luscious and strong

Pills and serums for hair maintenance
A combination of pills and applications are used to prevent further hair loss by prolonging the growth phase as well as the resting phase of the hair. Supplements such as Biotin, Spirulina, Iron pills as well as micronutrient combinations are used 

Minoxidil as a 2% and 5% lotion as an application once or twice a day as advised to help increase the blood supply to the scalp and thus stimulating the hair to grow. 

Finasteride is the only medication that works against DHT, the primary reason for hair loss in middle-aged females. Low dose of this medication taken in oral form works against the enzyme reduction and reverses the balding caused due to DHT (Dihydro testosterone). This is also available as a natural derivative in Saw Palmitate extract.

Hair growth via injections
The human body heals by the release of growth factors, especially when a particular area is injured. These factors are responsible for mobilizing the healing cells. The use of the same factors is undertaken to stimulate the resting hair follicles to start growing. Regular use of these injections derived from the patient’s own blood can give outstanding improvement to the crown of the head. At least six-month of treatment is required for the best results. 

Hair transplant surgery – the last nail in the coffin
In this procedure, small, individual follicle grafts are harvested using a hand punch or a machine from the donor area on the back of the head which are then transplanted to the area of hair loss. The process is tedious and time-consuming but has less pain and a better recovery rate and there are no risks of scarring because no cuts and stitches are required.

Hair systems are artificial scalp skins that are made of natural hair. These non-removable wigs are customized based on the patient’s hair type and are glued to the scalp. Monthly maintenance is required. 

Bottom line is – Hair loss is not a hopeless condition. While there are certainly cases of permanent hair loss, there are still cases when it’s only temporary and therefore can be treated, controlled, and prevented. 

There are treatments and cures available, and many of these, especially those for temporary cases, can be as simple as lifestyle changes – eating the right foods, learning to manage stress properly, and doing away with unhealthy, nasty habits that can aggravate the condition.