Hair loss is a natural phenomenon, but its intensity can cause severe issues like stress, anxiety, and even at times, psychological problems like depression. Among the most common causes of male patterns of baldness are hereditary and hormone-related causes. Most types of hair pattern baldness slowly creep up on you. Though the effects of baldness are mainly cosmetic in nature, and doesn’t affect health in any way, hair loss may affect men and women psychologically.

If you notice more than normal hair loss (about 100 hairs) every day and feel the thinning of your overall hair volume, it is very likely that you are suffering from hair loss. Women are likely to face hair loss after childbirth and during menopause due to hormonal fluctuations. Stress, pollution, chronic illness, and certain drugs can also be related to hair loss. However, the most common reason for hair loss, for both men and women, is genetic.  The most common patterns of hair loss include:

• Male-pattern baldness
• Female pattern baldness (or androgenetic alopecia)

Many hair loss treatments have been practiced over centuries for prevention of hair loss and for hair regrowth. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends two medically-tested treatments to stop hair loss:

1. Minoxidil

Also known as Rogaine, this topical liquid or foam based hair rejuvenation treatment is available over the counter in many drug stores. Minoxidil has proved to be effective not only for regrowth of hair, but also to prevent further hair loss.

2. Finasteride

The other FDA recommended hair-loss treatment used by most dermatologists is Finasteride, often referred to by its brand name, Propecia, which is generally available by prescription only. However many online stores sell Finasteride with an online consultation (i.e.,  Hims, Keeps, and Lemonaid).  Finasteride works by impeding the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that causes hair loss for men. All you have to do is take a pill every day. Research confirms that 2 in every 3 men see improvement in hair growth from taking Finasteride.

3. Phototherapy

The FDA also recently approved a laser phototherapy device that helps restore hair growth in men. This technology stimulates weak hair follicles and specifically targets them via laser energy to increase metabolism and boost hair growth.

4. Hair transplants

There are many men who still consider hair transplants, especially those who experience baldness very young. Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that moves hair follicles from other parts of the body to the head. This procedure is conducted by an experienced cosmetic surgeon. Numbness and pain are possible side effects, but any hair regrowth is permanent and the success rate is pretty high. There are also a couple of laser hair transplant treatments approved by FDA, which help treat male pattern baldness. However, FDA cautions against usage of unauthorized potions and creams that promise hair loss treatment.