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Suggest Treatment For Severe Hair Loss Caused By Depression

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Posted on Thu, 14 Apr 2016
Question: i had hair fall because of depression and poor hair care. now i am taking good care and fine with depression. hair fall is reduced and under control. now i want to grow my hairs back. can you suggest medicines for that.

i have small thin hairs on my frontal head since long time. what can i do to make the grow.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Topical Minoxidil solution and Oral finasteride

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am Dr.Kakkar (Dermatologist). I have read your question and I have noted your concern.
You seem to have Androgenetic Alopecia.
This type of hair loss is characterised by thinning of hair and hair loss mainly from the frontal, mid and vertex part of scalp. This may also be associated receding anterior hair line and widening at angles of anterior hair line.
Patients of androgenetic alpecia may also have a positive family history of early hair loss or balding in other members e.g father, brother, uncles, cousins etc.
I would suggest you to use minoxidil 5% solution, 1 ml, twice daily, morning and evening. Apply it with help of a dropper and spread it evenly with fingers. In addition I would also suggest a tablet of finasteride 1 mg, once daily.
These are approved medicines for androgenetic alopecia. Treatment is long term and patients often notice improvement after 3-6 months of regular use.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (20 hours later)
thanks for the reply.
the solution you provided is not permanent. i will come to starting position once i stop using them.

if permanent solution for androgenetic alpecia is not present then can you suggest some oil and supplements which will help in getting hairs which were lost due to poor care and depression.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hair Transplant is the most effective and most durable option

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, of course you need to use these medicines (minoxidil and finasteride) regularly and continuously to maintain improvement.
Apart from these medicines which work by reducing the progression of hair loss in androgenetic alopecia, the only permanent solution for hair loss and receding anterior hair line in androgenetic alopecia is 'Hair Transplant'.
As far as supplements are concerned you may take oral Biotin along with Saw Palmetto Extract e.g Androanagen tablet. However again this is would only serve as long as you consume it. There are no dietary supplements that work for androgenetic alopecia, though there is a postulated role for Oral Zinc but it is not a recommended therapy for hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. In my experience Oral Zinc is a total waste.
Oils too, have no role whatsoever in reducing or reversing hair loss because the reason for androgenetic alopecia is not dryness but it is due to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which is produced from circulating testosterone by the action of enzyle 5-alpha reductase present in hair follicles, in genetically predisposed individuals. Finasteride specifically inhibits this enzyme and therefore reduces and reverses hair loss. But then, finasteride is to be taken life long.
If you do not want to apply minoxidil you must at least take oral finasteride tablet (Finax 1 mg) once daily, for your hair loss Or you may take a combination tablet of Saw palmetto extract and Biotin (Androanagen).
Recently, new molecules like procapil and capixyl, have also being used in androgenetic alopecia and it is available as topical solution for twice daily application e.g Mintop PRO solution OR Bontress lotion but any form of medical therapy that you use has to be used regularly and long term. If you stop results would reverse.
Hair transplant is the only option that is permanent.

Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Hair Loss Caused By Depression

Brief Answer: Topical Minoxidil solution and Oral finasteride Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I am Dr.Kakkar (Dermatologist). I have read your question and I have noted your concern. You seem to have Androgenetic Alopecia. This type of hair loss is characterised by thinning of hair and hair loss mainly from the frontal, mid and vertex part of scalp. This may also be associated receding anterior hair line and widening at angles of anterior hair line. Patients of androgenetic alpecia may also have a positive family history of early hair loss or balding in other members e.g father, brother, uncles, cousins etc. I would suggest you to use minoxidil 5% solution, 1 ml, twice daily, morning and evening. Apply it with help of a dropper and spread it evenly with fingers. In addition I would also suggest a tablet of finasteride 1 mg, once daily. These are approved medicines for androgenetic alopecia. Treatment is long term and patients often notice improvement after 3-6 months of regular use. Regards