Alopecia Hair Growth

The U.S. National Library of Medicine describes alopecia as "partial or complete loss of hair." Not exclusive to men, alopecia can affect women or children of any age. However, numerous products are available today to treat alopecia and facilitate hair growth.

Features

• Alopecia in males results in receding hairlines with some bald spots. Most women's hairlines generally remain fine, although there will be thinning all over the scalp. Stress, crash diets, medications, surgery and infection can all cause alopecia.

Treatment

• According to the Mayo Clinic, minoxidil, corticosteroids and anthralin are FDA-approved treatments to cure alopecia and promote hair growth.

Considerations

• Hair resulting from minoxidil can be thinner than the hair it replaces, and hair growth stops once you discontinue the medication.

Ayurveda

• Ayurveda, a traditional herbal medicine system of India, holds that the cause of alopecia is "basic nature." Dr. Rohit Shah, who has treated many patients with alopecia, suggests that since the basic nature of hair loss differs, practitioners should consider individualized and custom treatments based on ayurvedic concepts for effective hair growth.

Warning

• Hair might regrow but then fall out again, warns the American Academy of Dermatology. The results will differ with each person.