Surprisingly, The Best Hair Loss Solutions Won't Break Your Bank

Remember the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?  This is especially true for many men and women of all ages and backgrounds who are confronted with the frustration and heartache of excessive hair fall and loss.  While there are a multitude of reasons for hair falling out, there are also many very simple solutions to stop hair loss at its source and possibly even prevent future occurrences.

First, it’s important to act quickly.  Experts say that 100 hairs shed per day is normal, and we tend to lose the most hair in the late fall/early winter when hair reaches its maturity growth cycle.  But if you notice you’re losing significantly more than that, see your doctor as soon as possible, and especially if you think you are experiencing other unexplained physical symptoms.  

After physical examination and frank discussion, your doctor should be able to determine if the cause of your hair loss is based on your medical or hereditary history, if some medication you take is triggering hair loss side effects, if an unhealthy nutritional diet could be the culprit -- or even if you have to make some changes in your hairdressing regimen.  Perhaps you may have developed a hair fungus if you’ve shared a hat, brush or comb with someone else. 

Today, all of these conditions are imminently and affordably treatable.  For some people, especially those with hereditary baldness pattern, hair loss in both men and women has been most effectively medically treated with topical Minoxidil (Rogaine).  Men may discover the oral finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) is a solution, although women should never use it.  You may also want to consider hair transplants or scalp reduction surgery, now both relatively simple and economic procedures, as alternative cures for hair loss, although you should never make this decision without first consulting your doctor. 

If your hair loss is related to drug side effects or other medical condition, you probably don’t need to do much else other than (with your doctor’s approval, of course!) discontinue or substitute the medication that’s causing the problem.  Your hair should grow back in due course.   

Likewise, hair that’s falling out from the trauma of chemicals (hair color, bleaching, perms) and heat-based hairstyling tools (blow dryers, hot rollers) will grow back if you limit or stop their use all together.  If hair loss is a result of poor diet and nutrition, adopting a balanced diet rich in whole grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables, along with a plan to minimize stress and get regular exercise will be just the ticket to having a normal, healthy head of hair again.