Dr. E. Antonio Mangubat: Hi! I am Dr. Antonio Mangubat. I am President of the Hair Foundation, and Hair Foundation is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to promote the public awareness; an information on hair loss, hair care, and overall hair health.

Today, I am talking about hair loss. I'd like to help you understand it and how to live with it. Most hair loss is a result of natural processes called male or female pattern alopecia. Occasionally, hair loss can be a result of an illness or injury. Almost, everyone is affected by hair loss at sometime in their lives. When people suffer hair loss, it often causes social trauma, and it can really lower your self-esteem. It's embarrassing. It can cause self-doubt, and it can often make you feel less attractive and less confident.

When hair loss is caused by genetic or other external reasons, there may be other treatments and solutions available to prevent or stop hair loss and improve your hair's appearance. So don't despair. There are simple things that you can do for yourself. Scientific advances continue, and for those who have lost their hair, you have a lot of options available to you.

There are few home remedies. Make sure your hair is properly cared for. By that I mean, have it cut and shaped, and make sure you don't over process it. Protect your hair from damage like sunshine and properly condition it. Often times, people think their hair is thinning when they're actually seeing breakage and split ends that go all the way up to hair shaft to the root. If you want to conceal your hair loss, a great option is spray on camouflage and thickeners. These fibers can match the color of your hair and camouflage the bald spots beautifully. They can give your hair the appearance of fullness. Even people without any hair issues can use these products to cover their scalp. They are light and easy to use.

Now some choose to use a wig or a hair system as they may not be suited for another option. These are not, but to pays off yesteryear. While they can be pricey, the quality and convenience has improved where they can't even be detected, eliminating the discomfort or anxiety of any activity including swimming or biking.

In addition, there are over-the-counter FDA approved treatments. Minoxidil commonly known as Rogaine is effective in slowing, stopping, or even re-growing hair loss from male pattern baldness. Rogaine foam is the only topical foam that's FDA approved to regrow hair. It's clinically approved to regrow hair in about 85% of men and it's the number one dermatology recommended remedy. Rogaine foam is applied twice a day and it's easy to use. It's also less messy, quick drying, and unscented.

The second therapy is Low Level Laser Light Therapy. It's a device that shines a specific wavelength of light on the scalp that simulates hair growth and it is FDA approved. There is a medication that requires a prescription. It's known as Finasteride or you may know as Propecia. It's a powerful male hormone blocker that's been shown to regrow your hair.

If you feel these have not helped your hair loss or you believe a more in-depth treatment maybe the answer, then I suggest you find a physician who specializes in hair loss. These physician specialists can offer many treatments including surgery to treat your hair loss. If you'd like to learn more, check out our website hairfoundation.

org for more additional remedies.