A staggering 35 million men and 21 million women are forced to confront the often harrowing reality of hair loss. This staggering number attests to the widespread nature of the issue. It’s more than just a statistic; it’s a silent epidemic that causes distress, diminishes confidence, and stirs self-doubt.
But what if there was a way to turn back time, stop further progression, to regrow what’s lost, to reclaim your pride? This article explores just that. With the increasing advances in hair restoration treatments, learning how to regrow hair in a bald spot fast is not as far-fetched as it once seemed.
With a mix of proven strategies and innovative methods, we delve into ways to counter sudden hair loss, no matter your age, and explore treatments that can stimulate regrowth.
Understanding Hair Loss
Hair loss can creep in unannounced, quietly, almost imperceptibly at first. One day, you may notice more strands in your brush than usual. The next, the reflection in the mirror may present an all too visible thinning patch.
The onset of hair loss, whether sudden or gradual, can feel like an assault on your self-image.
Hair fall is a natural part of the body’s renewal process. As some hairs fall out, others start to grow. It’s when the balance between hair shedding and growth is disrupted, when the hair becomes thinner in diameter, or when the hair follicle is replaced with scar tissue, that hair loss becomes a concern.
Many people mistakenly associate hair loss with old age. While it’s true that as you age, your hair generally tends to get thinner and lose its natural volume, hair loss is not exclusive to the elderly. People of all ages can experience hair loss for a variety of reasons.
Sudden hair loss can be triggered by a multitude of factors. Stress, for instance, can play a significant role. This can be either physical stress (such as in the case of post partum, febrile illness such as COVID-19, or following surgery) or emotional stress. Severe or prolonged stress can disrupt the normal hair cycle, leading to excessive hair shedding.
Likewise, certain diseases or medications can cause hair to fall out. Underlying health conditions like thyroid disease or auto-immune diseases can also lead to hair loss. Systemic autoimmune disease such as thyroiditis, lupus, dermatomyositis etc can present with hair loss.
Nutrition can also impact hair health. A lack of certain nutrients, such as iron, protein, zinc, selenium, biotin, and vitamins including vitamin D, can lead to hair thinning or loss.
Internal conditions, nutrient deficiency, and stress typically present as increased shedding or hair fall in a condition called telogen effluvium.
In other causes autoimmune disease can specifically target the hair follicle. This is called alopecia areata, and this type of hair loss typically presents with discrete patches of non-scarring hair loss. This type of hair loss can also lead to diffuse increase shedding, total scalp hair loss or even loss of facial or body hair.
Patterned hair loss is also called androgenetic alopecia. This type of hair loss tends to present with areas of thinning especially over the crown, part line, and hair line.
Hormonal changes are another common cause of hair loss. It is common for female pattern hair loss to present around the time of menopause. Conditions with elevated androgen activity such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can also present with patterned hair loss.
Hair loss can be the body’s way of signaling that something isn’t quite right internally.
This is why it is important that if you are experiencing hair loss to get checked out by a hair loss specialist such as a dermatologist to get a diagnosis of the type of hair thinning or bald spot that you have, if any additional work up is indicated, and discuss potential treatment options appropriate in your case.
How to Regrow Hair on a Bald Spot Fast?
Fortunately, there are various evidence-based treatments available today that can help reverse hair loss and promote hair regrowth for many types of hair loss. The exact types of therapies that are recommended will depend on the type of hair loss that you have and your individual case. Let’s explore some of these potential options.
Medical Therapies
Medical therapy for hair loss includes topical and oral medications that can help to slow down hair loss and in some cases can thicken exisiting hair and stimulate new hair growth. Two popular FDA-approved drugs for male pattern hair loss are topical Minoxidil and oral Finasteride.
Minoxidil is FDA-approved as a topical treatment for both male and female pattern hair loss/balding, but is also being increasingly used off-label by mouth (orally) to treat many types of hair loss. It works by prolonging the growth phase of hair which can lead to thicker and longer strands over time. Finasteride, on the other hand, is FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss as an oral medication that inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone responsible for hair thinning and loss. Finasteride is being increasingly used off-label topically in those with patterned hair loss.
It’s essential to understand that these medications require ongoing use for continued effect. If you are considering these medications, it is important to discuss potential side effects with your doctor. They should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
There are other medications such as those that decrease inflammation that can be used in inflammatory types of hair loss such as alopecia areata.
Red Light Therapy
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is a non-surgical, non-medication based treatment option. This involves regularly using a device with visible light in the red light spectrum. The effects of light are termed photobiomodulation. LLLT has been shown to increase blood flow to the scalp, decrease low levels of inflammation, and some devices have been shown to decrease levels of DHT locally. This can help decrease further loss, and in some cases even thicken existing hair or grow more hair. The treatment is non-invasive and pain-free which makes it a good option for those wary of procedures. Make sure that you will use the device consitently before investing in one.
Scalp Injections & Microneedling
Scalp injections can be used for various types of hair loss. For patterned hair loss growth factor injections are often used. For inflammatory types of hair loss other injections such as steroid injections are also often used. With growth factor injections often your own body’s products are used by taking your blood, spinning it, and then obtaining the portion rich in growth factors. This portion is then injected into areas of thinning on the scalp.
Scalp Microneedling can be used in order to allow deeper penetration of topicals such as growth factors or medications such as minoxidil. The evidence of this is still limited.
With any treatment make sure to talk with your doctor to discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives in your type of hair loss and your specific case.
Lifestyle Changes
Another important consideration is if lifestyle changes may help you with your hair loss. On example for those in whom stress may be contributing is stress management. Practices like meditation, yoga, or regular exercise can help manage stress levels.
Nutrition also plays a significant role in maintaining healthy hair. A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and protein can support hair growth. Incorporating foods like eggs, berries, spinach, and fatty fish, which are known for their hair-friendly nutrients, can make a difference. Always consult with your doctor, nutritionist, and/or dietitian on your specific nutritional and dietary needs.
Finally, avoid habits that can harm your hair. These include smoking and excessive use of heat-styling tools or chemical treatments that can weaken and damage the hair.
Hair Restoration Surgery
Hair restoration surgery can be an option in those with balding or thinning from causes such as patterned hair loss. These procedures involve moving hair from a ‘donor’ part of the body (usually your scalp from the back and sides) to the balding or thining area. There are several techniques used in hair restoration surgery, such as:
- Follicular Unit Strip Excision (FUSE) often called Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
- Follicular Unit Excision/Extraction (FUE)
Both methods can be effective, but they require careful consideration and a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon to discuss which is right for your individual case.
Customized Hair Loss Treatment Plans
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for hair loss. The most effective hair regrowth treatment will be one tailored to your type of hair loss and your unique needs and goals. Multiple types of therapies can also often be combined for the best results.
That’s why it’s crucial to consult with a hair loss specialist such as a board-certified dermatologist or if you are interested in hair transplant then a hair restoration surgeon. They can guide you through the various options and create a treatment plan designed for you.
Take the Next Step in Your Hair Restoration Journey
Hair loss doesn’t have to be a permanent sentence. You’ve learned about the realities of sudden hair loss, some of the different types of thinning or baldness, and discovered a number of options for how to potentially regrow hair on a bald spot fast.
It is important to see a physicial specializing in hair loss such as board-certified dermatologist or if you are considering a hair transplant then a hair restoration surgeon so that you can get a diagnosis and talk through your options.
At Root Hair Institute, our team of physicians are ready to guide you on this journey. Our team specializes in many treatment options for hair loss, so that we are able to provide patients with personalized treatment plans to fit their lifestyle and goals. We are located in the Greater Seattle area. If you are interested to meet with one of our doctors, schedule a consultation with us today and take the first step towards restoring your confidence.