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Baldness is a major problem affecting millions of Americans of both sexes. An estimated one billion US dollars are spent on various types of baldness treatment each year. Baldness refers to the lack of hair on body areas where hair normally grows. More commonly, it refers to the lack of hair on head. The most prevalent form of baldness is androgenic alopecia or ‘male pattern baldness’ that is found commonly in men. Baldness may be ‘partial’ i.e. involving some hair loss from the head, or ‘complete’ in which case all hair on the head is lost (a condition medically called alopecia totalis). The most extreme form of baldness is alopecia universalis in which all the body hair is lost.

While no single and complete baldness cure exists for all kinds of hair loss, different methods of treatment for baldness have been developed to improve the appearance of the affected area. These range from treatment with drugs and diet to hair transplant and scalp massage. Following is a brief description of the currently available methods of baldness treatment.

Minoxidil, a drug used to treat high blood pressure, was found effective in reversing baldness by hair re-growth. Now Minoxidil is available as a topical solution for treating baldness. The solution is available under the brand names of Rogaine and Regaine. Its action is slow but it does help in re-growing hair on top of the head. Hair appearing by the action of Minoxidil is usually lighter and thinner than the original hair lost by the patient.            

Antiandrogens are a class of drugs used as treatment for baldness. These drugs block the action of the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) preventing it from weakening hair follicles. Finasteride, Dutasteride, Ketoconazole, and Saw palmetto are the more commonly used types of Antiandrogens. Finasteride is prescribed to male patients only.

Diet and lifestyle adjustment is also considered as a contributing factor for baldness cure. Reducing fat or caloric intake has been found to promote hair growth. Some studies show that adding caffeine to a shampoo may prevent baldness to some degree. However, the role of dietary caffeine in promoting hair growth has not been investigated yet.  Daily aerobic exercise (or vigorous activity), stress-free lifestyle, and lower levels of insulin have all been shown to check hair loss and bolster up healthy hair growth.     

Hair transplant is a surgical treatment for baldness in which a cosmetic surgeon redistributes the hair from thicker growths (back of the scalp) to balder areas of the head (top and front). In another method of hair transplant, called scalp reduction, the balding part of the head is surgically excised (shortened). Performed under the influence of local anesthesia, hair transplant surgery is used for treating both pattern badness and other types of baldness caused by skin diseases, and injuries etc.

An alternative and complementary treatment for baldness is scalp massage. By stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles, scalp massage nourishes the roots of hair and boosts the natural development of healthy hair. Finally, latest research in stem cells technology is expected to provide a new baldness cure called hair multiplication or hair cloning. This treatment method is expected to work by implanting special stem cells in the bald areas of the head. Its development is currently underway. 

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