Hair Loss Information

The average person has between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on top of his or her head. These hairs grow in cycles of growth and rest, each on their own schedule. A person with no hair loss can lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day as growing hairs go into the resting phase, but these hairs are replaced as other resting follicles begin to grow again. There are several forms of hair loss, but the overwhelming majority of hair loss is pattern, inherited hair loss on the top of the scalp. A dermatologist can help you assess the type of hair loss you are experiencing. In the inherited form, sensitivity to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes gradual damage to the hair forming cells at the base of the hair follicle, which causes the hair to gradually thin with each cycle of growth, and each cycle of growth becomes shorter until the follicle is eventually unable to produce a normal hair.

Hair Loss Treatment Options

Pattern, inherited hair loss has many treatments available, although few are proven. The next few pages will explore the existing options for hair loss treatment. The most common medicinal treatments are the FDA approved medications Propecia and Rogaine. Hair transplants remain a popular alternative to medicinal treatment. Other options exist, from natural nutritional supplementation, hundreds of commercial products which are not as rigorously tested, non-surgical hair replacement, cosmedic coverups and more.

Introduction to Hair Loss	This section contains the basic information you need to know about hair loss, including what hair is and why we lose it. Knowing how hair grows and what the true causes of hair loss are will help you avoid products or treatments that won't work.
Option: Do Nothing	The cheapest and simplest method of dealing with hair loss, although it won't help you grow or keep your hair.
Option: Propecia	Propecia is the most recently approved treatment for hair loss in a pill form.
Option: Rogaine	Rogaine and Rogaine Extra Strength were the first treatments for treating hair loss using a topical lotion.
Option: Other Treatments	There are hundreds if not thousands of other treatments sold for hair loss throughout the world that are sold commercially and not regulated as medicines.
Option: Hair Transplantation	Hair transplantation moves hair from the back of the scalp to the top and front of the scalp to reduce or eliminate the appearance of hair loss.
Option: Non-Surgical Hair Replacement	Non-surgical hair replacement, also known as hair systems, hair pieces, wigs, or toupees, are a non-surgical and non-medicinal way to conceal hair loss using real hair.
Option: Cosmetic Concealers	Cosmetic concealers are another non-surgical and non-medicinal way to conceal hair loss by making your existing hair appear fuller and thicker without adding hair.
Buyer Beware: Avoiding Scams	There are many products sold that do not work for hair loss. This guide will help you avoid them by telling you how to evaluate advertisements and product information.
Diagnose Yourself: Using the Norwood Scale	This scale is the most commonly used way to measure the degree of hair loss in males. By clicking on the degree most closely matching your own, you will see Regrowth.com's tips for the options that may be most appropriate for your degree of hair loss.
Diagnose Yourself: Using Other Hair Loss Scales	There are other scales for measuring hair loss, including the Ludwig scale for measuring female hair loss and the Savin scales for measuring the degree of density, frontal hair loss, midpattern hair loss, and vertex hair loss.