Can Hair Loss be Reversed?

As hair starts to disappear from the head, people tend to look around for answers as to how to treat the condition, and to wonder if in fact a cure for thinning hair exists at all. There is a lot of quackery and a lot of snake oil sellers around who promise to 'regrow' hair and who promise to give you that full head of hair once again; that promise miraculous remedies.

But what is really true here? Is it possible to actually redress hair loss; and to actually reverse the process of balding? Well the answer is yes and no – when it comes to a hair loss cure, what really matters is the reason for it in the first place. In some of the cases, reversal is possible, whereas it is impossible for others.

1. Men who seem to lose hair in a particular pattern and at a gradual rate; especially those who have had male relatives who have undergone similar loss, then this is probably male pattern baldness. Natural remedies and other over the counter as well as prescription medication are available for this, which may meet with varying degrees of success – whereas some men find that treatment is very effective, others have the opposite experience. A doctor or specialist will be able to offer guidance as to the best options.

2. When hair is falling out in patches, there could be different reasons for this, and a doctor ought to be consulted to make a definitive diagnosis and to determine how to treat hair loss caused for this particular reason.

3. Sometimes it is hair styling, using of chemical treatments and so on that causes hair fall. This occurs due to damage to the hair follicles caused by chemicals, tight braiding and tight rubber bands/ cornrows etc. Sometimes all that maybe required to reverse it is to discontinue the practice and to stop using the treatments.

4. Some types of hairloss are caused by medications or medical treatments – for instance chemotherapy for cancer typically causes it, however the hair grows back when the treatment stops.

5. Steroids can also cause hair fall. Many times it is steroids that are taken for body building purposes that cause the problem.

6. Certain medical conditions can also cause be the culprit – stress and anxiety can exacerbate the condition. Also thyroid imbalances, anemia or iron deficiency or other nutrient deficiencies in the system could cause it. If such medical conditions are the reason for the hair loss and the underlying cause, then they may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as feeling tired, or weak or anxious.

7. Hormone changes that occur in post menopausal women or women who undergo pregnancy at a much later age can also result in hair loss. Hormone changes can sometimes reverse themselves and at times hormonal medication can help to cure the problem.