Hair loss: is it possible for hair to grow back?

Hair loss - it can happen to all of us and it can be quite upsetting when it does. Also known as alopecia or baldness, hair loss refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. In most cases, it is nothing to worry about but sometimes it can be a sign of a medical condition. We talk to one of our top London dermatologists Dr Aleksander Godic and ask him whether it’s possible to reverse hair loss and if so, how?
 

Tell us - is it possible for lost hair to grow back?

It is possible for lost hair to grow back. As we are born the hair follicles, which are little sacs placed in our scalp, are produced only when we are babies. We don't get any new follicles but those existing ones undergo changes, especially due to testosterone.

Once testosterone binds to the hair follicle, which happens in both in men and women, the hair follicles slowly get smaller. The smaller the follicles that we get, the tinier the hair they can produce. After several years of this damage, there are no more follicles being able to produce hair growth.

If we try to help the patient, it's crucially important for them to visit us as soon as possible with hair loss, or let's say early signs of alopecia. These can be examined by specialists who have been properly trained and who have a lot of experience.

When hair loss is recognised in the patient, we would advise using medicines and the sooner they start, the better results they get. When we start treating patients, we usually tell them that we can achieve regrowth from those existing follicles, which are really small but are still able to produce new hair fibres. If a patient has lost all of his hair or her hair and this is lasting for years or decades, however, then the regrowth is probably very unlikely.
 

Which doctor should I see if I’m losing my hair?

For hair loss, I would definitely recommend patients to see dermatologists. We have years of education and training, not only as a general dermatologist but we are equipped to specifically deal with hair loss. We can recognise those subtle changes in the early twenties when it's really, really important to start treatment as soon as possible.
 

Are there any proven treatments for combatting hair loss?

Hair loss can be caused by different reasons and one of the most common is female and male pattern hair loss. For those two groups of patients, there are drugs which are registered. One is minoxidil, which exists in two different strands and can be used in men and women.

Women can use a contraceptive pill and also spironolactone, which prevent binding of testosterone on the hair follicle. Therefore, we can decrease the hair loss, and after some time hopefully, get regrowth.

In men, we can use finasteride, which is an enzyme that blocks binding of testosterone and converts to its more powerful agent called dihydrotestosterone, which is happening on the hair follicle.

Now, the key thing is, once the testosterone starts to bind on a hair follicle, either in men or women, those changes are irreversible. The sooner the patient visits the dermatologist, the better results they can expect. Therefore, the sooner the treatment is initiated, the better the outcome that we can expect.

In addition to those registered treatments, there are other options. One which is widely used is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This requires taking blood from the patient and then we would spin it and get a coat of the platelets, which contain a lot of growth factors.

If we inject those platelets into the patient's scalp, they release growth factors that stimulate the growth of the hair. There have been enough studies to prove that they are efficient also in comparison with other standardised treatment options in all sorts of hair loss, not only female and male pattern baldness.

Do not hesitate to book an appointment with Dr Godic if you would like to discuss your hair loss treatment options.