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At Home Treatments for Alopecia

Alopecia is a medical condition which causes hair loss in both men and women. Although alopecia is embarrassing, it is rarely contagious. Alopecia is easily treatable--and in some cases reversible--at home using a multistep regimen of creams, serums and physical movements which work in tandem to improve the health of the scalp and increase the chances for successfully growing new hair. Home treatments for alopecia are less expensive than medical treatments and pose very little risk to the overall health of the person affected by alopecia.

  1. Medicated Shampoos

    • Use an alternating regimen of medicated shampoos containing coal tar, salicylic acid or ketoconazole. Use one of the three types of shampoo each time you wash your hair. Massage the shampoo into a rich lather. Work the shampoo through the hair follicles and into the scalp. Leave the shampoo on the hair for at least five minutes to achieve the most effective hair growth results. Rinse the shampoo from the front of the head to the back with lukewarm water. Shedding of the hair during the first few weeks of use is common and normal as part of the hair growth cycle.

    Scalp Massage

    • Use the pads of the fingers to massage the scalp. Use circular motions over the entire surface of the scalp. Begin massaging the scalp at the base of the neck. Massage in circular motions, working from the neck to the sides, and eventually to the top of the head. Scalp massages can be done simultaneously with shampooing or prior to the washing of the hair in order to release excessive oil and dirt from the scalp and the hair follicles. Scalp massage also can be achieved by using a hairbrush made of pure boar bristles.

    DHT Inhibitors

    • Add a DHT inhibitor to your hair-grooming routine. DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is a byproduct of the hormone testosterone which basically starves the hair. DHT inhibitors can be taken orally in the form of tablets and gel caps such as saw palmetto; used topically in the form of serums such as Rogaine; or in ketoconazole shampoos such as Nizoral.

    Vinegar Conditioner

    • Use a solution of 50 percent apple cider vinegar and 50 percent water after washing the hair. Massage the vinegar and water solution through the hair follicle and into the scalp. Vinegar works to balance the pH level of the scalp and to kill fungal infections and scaly deposits. Leave the vinegar solution in the hair to dry. Comb or brush your hair after it has dried.

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