Hair loss treatment is a part of many treatments to manage hair loss as a result of androgenic alopecia. This is a genetic medical condition that causes male and female pattern baldness. 95% of the reported cases of male and female pattern baldness are inherited by a person from either their mother or father.

Treatment for hair loss or alopecia helps in stopping future hair loss and helps to regrow hair, but it is not a cure. The condition cannot be predicted, and it would take multiple trial and errors to zero down on the treatment method that is suitable. Treatment may vary from person to person, and it may also worsen the condition in some cases. Medication help prevents further hair loss, and surgeons can also transplant hair and reduce the bald patches in some cases.

Medical treatment
There are many medications (topical treatment) that are available with a prescription or as over-the-counter medicines. Applying such medications on the scalp can help in the regrowth of hair.

• An OTC medicine, Minoxidil has proved to be helpful if rubbed on the scalp, eyebrows, and beard.
• A medicine called Anthralin works by irritating the skin to initiate hair growth.
• To decrease inflammation in the hair follicles, corticosteroid creams and lotions are used.
• Immunotherapy uses a chemical like diphencyprone is applied to the skin to create an allergic rash to induce hair growth.

Injections : A common treatment for alopecia is the use of steroid injections. With the help of tiny needles, the steroid is injected into the place of infection, and it helps in stopping hair loss.

Oral treatments : Immunosuppressants are given orally to block the response of the immune system. It should be noted that continuous use of such immunosuppressants could cause serious side effects, like high blood pressure and liver and kidney damage, besides lymphoma.

Light therapy : It is a type of radiation treatment that’s a combination of UV light and an oral medication called psoralens. This kind of therapy is also called phototherapy or photochemotherapy.

Hair transplantation : This treatment procedure has several types:

• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
• Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy
• Scalp reduction surgery
• Synthetic hair implant

Alternative treatment
There are also alternative treatments for hair loss:

• Intake of supplements for vitamins like zinc and biotin
• Rubbing essential oils like tea tree, rosemary, lavender, and peppermint
• Use of other oils like coconut, castor, olive, and jojoba
• Scalp massage
• Aromatherapy
• Microneedling
• Acupuncture
• Laser therapy (low level)
• Intake of probiotics
• Consuming aloe vera drinks and applying topical gels
• Following an anti-inflammatory diet mainly consisting of meat and vegetables
• Rubbing onion juice on the scalp

The effectiveness of these alternative remedies has not been proven so far, and the claim on supplement labels could be inaccurate and misleading. It is best to discuss with the physician before starting on an herbal or vitamin supplement.