Whether it's a reflection of a woman's personality or a charming asset for a man, we believe that hair is a reflection of ourselves. A healthy head of hair, thick and shiny, contributes to our self-confidence by projecting the much sought-after image of beauty and youth. That's why hair loss is a real ordeal, even a source of suffering, especially for young people. But it doesn't have to be that way, because certain types of alopecia and baldness can be treated.
Discover the effective solutions for promoting hair growth!
First of all, you need to know how hair works so that you don't become overly stressed in the event of hair loss. On the other hand, it's important to be vigilant and to know how to spot the signs that can slow down normal hair growth so that you can act as quickly as possible. This will make it easier to understand which treatment may work and which treatment is most effective in stimulating hair regrowth, depending on your individual case.
The life cycle of a hair: how the hair follicle works
A healthy hair lives on average between 2 (for a man) and 7 years (for a woman). It is born in a hair follicle and remains there in "gestation" for about 4 months before appearing on the scalp. Each hair grows independently of its neighbour. Before falling out, the hair goes through three phases:
- La anagen phase lasts from 1 to 4 years. It corresponds to hair growth. The hair is then alive and grows by about a centimetre per month. The anagen phase lasts from 1 to 4 years. It corresponds to hair growth. The hair is now alive and growing at a rate of about one centimetre per month. The hair cells grow and multiply to produce hair according to your DNA.
- The end of hair growth is called catagen phase. The root retracts towards the epidermis and growth stops. This phase lasts between 15 and 20 days.
- During the telogen phase, the hair matures. During this resting period, which lasts around 3 months, the hair shaft remains attached to the scalp. It then detaches from the hair follicle and falls out, pushed out by a new hair.
Hair loss: when should you worry?
It is perfectly normal to lose hair every day. In many cases, this period is temporary and the loss is reversible. There will be no long-term harmful effects on your hair, which will start to grow normally again. hair loss is greater than usual and you get the impression that hair regrowth has stopped, the hair doesn't grow back as it used to, it becomes thinner, loses density and you can even notice thinner areas.
You can lose your hair for different reasons: stress or fatigue, depression, after childbirthweight loss, change of season or taking certain medicines ... each cause produces different effects on the hair depending on a number of factors (general state of health, androgenetic receptivity, etc...).
However, certain symptoms can be signs of chronic hair loss. We recommend that you consult a specialist if :
- you continue to lose an abnormal amount of hair for more than 6 months;
- alopecia is mainly located above your skull;
- the volume of your hair is visibly reduced.
The sooner you act, the quicker effective treatment will be against hair loss can be set up.
Finding an effective treatment for hair growth can be tedious and even frustrating, as there are a multitude of (more or less reliable) solutions on the market. Depending on how long you've had alopecia, the actual causes, your lifestyle and, of course, your budget, we've listed the most common solutions currently on offer.
Medicinal treatments and other medical solutions to combat hair loss
Several laboratories have developed anti-hair loss solutions. The best-known are Minoxidil and Finasteride. Others are based on sulphur amino acids. Hormonal anti-hair loss treatments are also available for women.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is one of the most widely prescribed hair loss treatments. It comes in the form of a foam or liquid to be applied to the balding area. Two dosages are available: Minoxidil 5 %generally for men, and the Minoxidil 2 %usually reserved for women.
This medicine promotes hair regrowth in anag phaseène, but has no effect on advanced baldness. Results are sometimes visible after about 4 months of application. However, as soon as the treatment is stopped, hair loss reappears - often abruptly - the hair will stop growing again and the scalp will return to its initial state.
Finasteride
Finasteride (Propecia and generics) is a product prescribed to regrow hair in men suffering from androgenic alopecia. Finasteride can only be used in the early stages. It comes in pill or tablet form and is taken orally. Results are generally seen after 3 to 6 months of treatment.
This medicine is only available on prescription, and the person being treated must be monitored regularly by a doctor. It should be noted that Finasteride may cause side effects. The best known are psychiatric disorders and reduced libido. See the ANSM alert: https://ansm.sante.fr/actualites/finasteride-rappel-sur-les-risques-de-troubles-psychiatriques-et-de-la-fonction-sexuelle
Medicines based on sulphur amino acids
Amino acids, especially methionine and cystine, are essential for the formation of keratin, one of the main structural elements of hair. Cystine fortifies the hair fibre while methionine is essential for hair regrowth.
Anti-hair loss hormone treatment
This solution is recommended for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in women. If there is an androgenetic predisposition, the scalp is more sensitive to the actions of androgens. The hair follicles produce thinner and thinner hair, and then no hair at all.
To combat this problem, the doctor prescribes anti-androgen contraceptive pills to the patient. Treatment is usually combined with a separate oestrogen-based drug.
PRP treatment to stimulate hair regrowth
Platelets, one of the components of blood, contain growth factors that stimulate tissue regeneration. They are injected into the scalp to revitalise hair follicle cells. Although no clinical study has absolutely confirmed this, it is thought to activate hair regrowth and reduce hair loss.
Laser treatment for baldness
The aim of this aesthetic treatment is to increase the cellular activity of hair follicles. The capillary fibres become thicker and healthier thanks to the increased production of cells. Laser treatment is sometimes recommended to combat androgenetic alopecia and seasonal hair loss, but it does not solve advanced baldness.
Hair transplants
The transplant must be performed by a qualified surgeon. During a hair transplant, the surgeon removes follicular grafts from the back of the scalp. The bulbs are then re-implanted in the balding areas. Suitable for all baldness types, this technique is performed under local anaesthetic. Nowadays, hair transplants involve a number of different techniques, including: the "FUT" strip technique, which allows several hairs to be transplanted at a time and is particularly suitable for areas of extensive baldness in men; the more meticulous "FUE" technique, which consists of extracting and then implanting 1 hair at a time.
Natural treatments for hair loss
There are also natural solutions to treat hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth in both men and women. Here are a few examples.
Food supplements
Food supplements are among the products recommended to promote hair strength and vitality. On their own, food supplements should not be considered as an anti-hair loss product as such, but rather as an effective aid to hair health and beauty, and to the well-being of the body as a whole, depending on the ingredients they contain. They are said to help promote the production of keratin and stimulate regrowth. They can be formulated with brewer's yeast, spirulina, pollen and royal jelly, maca, vitamins B5, B6 and B8, all of which are trace elements, and vitamins actively contributes to the beauty of hair and skin. A 3-month renewable course of treatment is generally recommended to optimise the effects. Our Racines Plus vitamins will give your 100 % hair the nutrients it needs every day to grow harmoniously.
Local treatments for hair regrowth
There are various hair loss solutions on the market. They can be used to treat seasonal or early-stage hair loss. The most popular products are lotions, serums and shampoos containing minerals, B vitamins and plant extracts known for their anti-hair loss properties.
Please note: so-called "anti-hair loss" shampoos are unlikely to have any effect on hair loss. As we have seen, hair develops from its hair follicle in the epidermis. Under these conditions, how can we believe that a product applied to the keratin alone can help reduce hair loss? The role of shampoos is simply to wash the hair (the keratin). It can have additional benefits, such as providing volume or eliminate dandruff for example.
To make them even more effective, these products can be combined with anti-hair loss food supplements.
Herbal medicine to combat hair loss
For centuries, certain plants have been recognised and used for their beneficial effects on hair health and growth, whether to strengthen hair or slow down hair loss. The best known are spirulina, quinine, stinging nettle, Scots pine, burdock and rosemary.
Herbal treatments are administered orally (tablets, capsules) or applied locally (oil, serum, mask, etc.).
Home-made aromatherapy for hair treatment
Depending on their composition essential oils improves hair volume and stimulates blood circulation in the scalp. Hair grows healthier and stronger. To use them, add a few drops of these products to a mild hair lotion or a good quality vegetable oil (especially not to your shampoo). Then massage into the scalp, leave on for 3 to 20 minutes and rinse.
A healthy, balanced diet to care for your hair
In addition to medicinal or natural treatments, opt for a healthy and balanced diet for healthy hair. Choose foods rich in magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc and protein, and in omega 3.
Here's a short list of foods to include in your menus:
- oily fish
- eggs
- broccoli
- leafy vegetables
- lentils
- cucumber...
And Clauderer?
The Centre Clauderer offers a treatment consisting of natural products proven effective in the fight against hair loss, whether your baldness is already established or is more recent, and whatever your hair type. Our products are guaranteed natural, with a base of plant extracts, essential oils, vegetable oils and vitamins.
Building on the achievements of the scientific research applied to natural hair cosmetics (serum N°6R and serum N°7R ), our Specialists are able to identify your hair problems, advise you and, above all, help you find the most effective treatment for your hair loss. Thanks to a targeted treatment and personalised support, the Clauderer care programme allows you to quickly regain healthier hair. In short, we help you preserve your hair capital for the long term. Your hair diagnosis is the first step: remotely or to the Centre Clauderer in Paris.
Jean-François Cabos is the creator of a unique hair care method based on the research he coordinated, which led to the publication of the book Hair, Roots of Life with Hélène Clauderer published by Robert Laffont (Collection "Réponses/ Santé").
