Hair Loss: Help for the Dis-Tressed
There have been some great developments in the world of hair-loss prevention and treatment, but quack remedies and sales pitches disguised as information are still as abundant online as they are on late-night television. We’ve sifted through it all to find the most reliable Web sites; in this guide you’ll find credible information about the different ways to prevent, treat, or even just to feel comfortable embracing your hair loss. Whether you are just curious about what’s out there or you want some personal advice from a physician about your hair loss, you’ll find what you need on the Web.
Expand All Guide SectionsHair Loss Causes
We all lose a little hair each day (actually, according to Medline Plus, we lose about 100 hairs ... read more »
Treating Hair Loss
Even if your hair loss is not connected to an underlying medical condition, there are quite a few options for treatment. Use the sites we recommend here to research your options so that you can decide with your physician what treatment is best for you.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many hair-loss prevention and treatment product Web sites mask their advertisements as unbiased resources for hair loss. If you come across a hair-loss Web site that’s not recommended in this guide, try to find an "About Us" section to see who is paying for the information you are getting, and consider whether there may be any bias. If you can't find a source for the information (like, say, a medical doctor), do not assume that it is trustworthy.
- If you’ve ruled out a medical problem and decide to take medication to restore hair, look it up on MedlinePlus. Hair restoration products could interact badly with other medication you are taking. For example, some prescriptions shouldn’t even be so much as handled by women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. It can’t hurt to mention the medicines to your doctor, either.
Dulcinea's Picks
To learn about treatment options …
Mayo Clinic
has a “Hair Loss” section that covers possible causes and explains the different ways that hair loss can be treated, including medication and surgical treatments.
The American Hair Loss Association
divides treatment into men’s and women’s. Both sections cover the drugs (oral or topical) that are usually prescribed for male or female hair loss. On the left side of the homepage you’ll notice a number of menu choices: “Hair Replacement” will link you to information about buying a hairpiece, “Surgical Hair Restoration” links to information that will step you through restorative hair surgery from the basics and history, to how to find a surgeon, to how to prepare for surgery and photos of hair transplants.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
provides information about different kinds of treatments for hair loss, including medical and surgical hair restoration. Here you’ll be able to read answers to common questions about restoration surgery in the FAQ and find tips.
Balding Blog
provides answers from doctors to the questions of readers. Topics covered include the risks of hair restoration medication, female hair loss, treatment options, and more. New questions and answers are posted almost daily; this could be a good place to look and see if someone has already asked a question you are looking for an answer to.
To locate a physician …
The American Academy of Dermatology
allows you search by specialty. After entering your zip code, choose “Hair disorders” on the drop-down menu.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
allows you to search for a doctor in your area who performs specific procedures. Select “Cosmetic” under the “Procedures” field, then “Hair replacement.” The society also has a long Web page that explains the entire surgical hair replacement process, along with tips and suggestions for finding a reputable surgeon.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
has a search engine that can help you look for a doctor in a specific area or a doctor who performs a particular procedure.
For clinical trials ...
ClinicalTrials.gov
is a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and offers a list of research clinical trials currently underway to test experimental treatments for hair loss. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your doctor, and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Guide.
Hair Loss Support
Hair loss is by no means an uncommon condition. On the Web you’ll find plenty of places to ... read more »
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