Methods to Stop Hair Loss

Millions of people suffer from hair loss or receding hairlines, potentially debilitating conditions that result in varying degrees of baldness. There are a variety of muscular exercises and herbal, medical and surgical treatments available that proponents claim can cure or stop hair loss. If you suffer from hair loss, these methods may help delay or stop the progression of your condition.

Scalp Muscle Exercise

• Some homeopathic specialists believe that hair loss may be slowed or reversed by exercising the scalp muscles, both at the front and back of the head. Gaining full control of these muscles is essential. Stand in front of a mirror and raise the eyebrows, which contracts the frontalis muscles, located just beneath the forehead. Next, pull back the ears (it's like wiggling the ears) by contracting the occipitalis muscles and relax the muscles in the forehead. These steps should be repeated alternately, so as to work both muscle groups. Developing a rhythm is key to this exercise.

Herbal Remedies

• Many holistic specialists claim hair loss can be reversed by following simple herbal regimens using aloe vera, stinging nettle, green tea, red pepper and dong quai, a herb found in traditional Chinese drugstores.

  The aloe vera plant contains superoxide dismutane, an enzyme homeopathic experts claim ensures a thick and healthy scalp. Aloe vera has been used for centuries by the Indian tribes of South America and is said to stimulate hair growth when applied to the scalp daily.

  The root extract of the stinging nettle can be purchased in pill or capsule form if the extract itself is unavailable. Experts claim it is effective when combined with saw palmetto gel capsules and applied to the scalp.

  Other remedies include drinking green tea (to prevent the risk of male pattern baldness); applying red pepper directly to the scalp (may help prevent baldness); and donq quai, also known as Angelica, has properties believed to combat hair loss.

Medical and Surgical Treatments

• If muscle exercises and herbal treatments do not slow the progression of hair loss, medical and surgical treatments are options that may help with hair growth. A physician may recommend or prescribe medicines, such as Rogaine, Propecia and Dritho-Scalp, or corticosteroids to slow hair loss and promote growth. Surgical procedures include hair transplants (small plugs of hair taken from elsewhere on your body) or scalp reduction (decreasing the area of bald skin on your head). If you're suffering from hair loss, first speak with a doctor to find an effective treatment.