info@burtsrx.com
It’s ideal to know the signs of alopecia in order to seek treatment right away. Here’s what to know and how compounding can help.
Baldness, scientifically known as Androgenic Alopecia affects nearly affects 70% of men and 40% of women at some point in their lives. For most men, hairline recession is common at the temples and the upper surface of the head known as vertex balding. Women on the other hand experience diffused scattered thinning of hair on the top of their scalps. Most people struggling with this condition have a sensitivity to “hair follicle miniaturization” caused by androgenic hormones.
Signs and Symptoms of Alopecia
Look out for the following signs if you suspect that you are dealing with alopecia:
- You have small bald patches on your head and other parts of your body.
- Over time, the bald patches on your head and body are getting larger.
- The hair growth is very random: hair grows in one place and falls out in another.
- You have lost plenty of hair over a short period of time.
- You experience more hair loss in the colder months.
- Your nails are becoming brittle and pitted.
- Every time you run your fingers through your hair, a handful of hair comes out.
- You notice receding hairline or an overall thinning of hair.
Causes of Alopecia
Alopecia can be caused by a number of factors. From diseases to chemical damage, drug use, and genetics, the causes are endless. Let’s overview the most common causes:
Androgenic Alopecia (AGA)
Around 95% of hair loss in men is due to this condition. It isn’t as common in women but some women can be impacted by this type of hair loss.
Poor Nutrition
Typically, complete baldness isn’t associated with nutritional deficiencies. However, thinning hair is often linked with a lack of adequate diet and exercise. Studies show that limited food intake and nutritional deficiencies can be linked with hair thinning. Deficiency in the following nutrients will translate into thinning hair: biotin, zinc, iron, and amino acids. Consuming a diet that is high in animal fat can also be detrimental to the health of your hair.
Stress
Stress can have a negative impact on your overall health and your hair. Increased stress levels can restrict the blood supply to capillaries preventing the supply of essential nutrients and oxygen from reaching hair follicles that prevent the growth of hair follicles which results in hair loss.
Medications
Certain medications can trigger hormonal imbalance, which results in hair loss. Common medications that can lead to hair loss are contraceptive pills, hormone replacement therapy, anabolic steroids, acne medication, and medicine for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cholesterol.
FDA Approved Treatments for Hair Loss
While most people resort to home remedies and OTC treatments, when it comes to treating hair loss, they rarely work. There are very few FDA Approved Treatments designed to treat the miniaturization of hair follicles, they can work wonders for you. Let’s discuss the two best options:
Finasteride (Propecia®)
The American Hair Loss Association notes finasteride is a prescription oral treatment for male pattern baldness. This drug works by reducing active levels of DHT in the body and preventing the miniaturization of hair follicles. This drug isn’t recommended for women as it can carry high risks. Men who use this treatment might experience loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, gynecomastia, and sexual dysfunction.
Minoxidil (Rogaine®)
It is an OTC treatment that has been used since the 1990s to treat baldness. The drug promotes hair growth by increasing the cutaneous blood flow to the follicles and shrinks them. It can cause hair in the telogen phase to shed which can worry you. However, it shouldn’t be a source of worry as they will be replaced with thicker hair in the anagen phase. The treatment is quite safe and works wonders when used during the early onset of alopecia.
How to Prevent Hair Loss with Compounding?
There are plenty of other medications can are highly effective for treating hair loss when applied topically. At Burts Rx, we offer compounded formulas that are a combination of FDA-approved treatments and alternative therapies. We create a custom product that not only treats but prevents and reverses hair thinning due to AGA.
Ketoconazole
It is an anti-fungal medication but can be quite effective when used for stimulating hair growth in people struggling with AGA. DHA essentially shrinks the hair follicles in people who struggle with AGA. In addition to Ketoconazole’s ability to kill fungi, it is immensely helpful in countering the effects of DHT.
Minoxidil fortified with Finasteride
Finasteride works by reducing DHT levels. It inhibits the miniaturization of hair follicles in patients struggling with AGA. Oral finasteride is also linked with side effects such as decreased libido, gynecomastia, and sexual dysfunction. A great alternative is a topical finasteride. It works wonders for the maintenance of hair density, and you won’t need to use oral finasteride anymore. This simple switch greatly minimizes the side effects while still giving you amazing hair.
Latanoprost
A study published in May 2012 indicated that latanoprost is a drug that mimics naturally derived compound molecules called prostaglandins. It significantly increases hair density on your scalp once used religiously for 24 weeks in young individuals struggling with mild hair loss. It works quite similarly to the eyelash restoration drug bimatoprost which has been used to treat glaucoma. Latanoprost can also be used to treat eyelash alopecia. Scientists who have conducted the study determined that it can also be beneficial for hair growth on the scalp when applied topically.
Azelaic Acid
It is a naturally occurring substance, commonly found in whole grains. Azelaic Acid is a very mild antibiotic that can eliminate harmful bacteria from the skin. It also supposedly inhibits 5-alpha-reductase which reduces the amount of DHT in the body and can have similar effects to finasteride which is approved for treating alopecia by the FDA.
Final Takeaway
Alopecia is more common than you think. It can take a toll on your self-confidence. However, in most cases, it is treatable. If conventional OTC has failed to work for you, don’t lose hope and try compounding. We hope you found this article informative and helpful! If you have any more questions, leave them down in the comments section below and our team will get back to you.