How to Treat Hair Loss at the Scalp

According to the National Institutes of Health, the average person will lose about 100 strands of head hair each day; hair loss is linked to age, heredity and testosterone levels. As we age, hair loses its thickness and begins to fall out; in fact, by age 30 about 25 percent of men begin to show signs of baldness. While there is no definitive cure for male and female pattern baldness, there are ways to treat the condition and improve your self-image.

Things You'll Need

• Minoxidil

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit your primary care physician. He will examine your scalp and determine whether your hair loss is permanent as a result of male or female pattern baldness, or if it is caused by another factor. According to the National Institutes of Health, illness, too much blow drying and shampooing, high stress levels and certain medications can all cause temporary hair loss. If your hair loss is occurring in an unusual pattern, an underlying illness may be to blame.

• 2

  Go to your local drugstore and purchase an over-the-counter or prescription version of minoxidil if your doctor determines your hair loss is due to pattern baldness. As of January 2011, minoxidil is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medication used to treat male and female pattern baldness. Males can also obtain a prescription for finasteride, a pill that inhibits a male hormone and slows hair loss. Minoxidil and finasteride do not grow new hair, but instead slow shedding.

• 3

  Apply the liquid minoxidil directly to your scalp twice a day. Read and follow the package directions completely before taking the medicine, and consult your physician for specific use instructions.