Hair loss: Dr Ranj discusses causes of male pattern baldness
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Hair loss treatments aim to halt the mechanisms that contribute to hair loss, of which there are many. One that has shown promise is cinnamon essential oil, which contains compounds that are conducive to hair growth. According to research, cinnamon essential oil contains compounds which help to widen blood vessels.
Improving the blood flow to the scalp is believed to play a key role in stimulating hair follicles.
What’s more, compounds found in cinnamon stimulate IGF-1 – one of the important mechanisms contributing to male pattern baldness.
Male pattern baldness is a permanent type of hair loss that usually runs in the family.
A study published in the Indonesian Journal of Anti Aging Medicine (IJAAM) tested cinnamon’s ability to promote hair growth.
A group of 30 rats were treated with either cinnamon essential oil or minoxidil for 30 days.
Minoxidil is one of the main drug treatments for male pattern baldness.
The findings showed that the application of cinnamon essential oil increased hair length and diameter size of male rat hair follicles as effectively as minoxidil.
Other tried and tested treatments
There are things you can try if your hair loss is causing you distress.
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But most treatments are not available on the NHS, so you’ll have to pay for them.
It is important to note that no treatment is 100 percent effective.
In addition to minoxidil, finasteride is also used to treat male pattern baldness, says the NHS.
“Minoxidil can also be used to treat female pattern baldness. Women should not use finasteride,” warns the health body.
Some wigs are available on the NHS, but you may have to pay unless you qualify for financial help.
Other treatments for hair loss include:
- Steroid injection – injections given into bald patches
- Steroid creams – cream applied to bald patches
- Immunotherapy – chemical applied to bald patches
- Light treatment – shining ultraviolet light on bald patches
- Tattooing – tattoo used to look like short hair and eyebrows
- Hair transplant – hair is removed from the back of the head and moved to thinning patches
- Scalp reduction surgery – sections of scalp with hair are stretched and stitched together
- Artificial hair transplant – surgery to implant artificial hairs.
Some of the above treatments may not be available on the NHS.
Additional support
Losing hair can be upsetting – for many people, their hair is an important part of who they are.
“If your hair loss is causing you distress, your GP may be able to help you get some counselling,” advises the NHS.
You may also benefit from joining a support group, or speaking to other people in the same situation on online forums.
You can find a support group near you on the Alopecia UK website.
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