Please suggest a solution for my one-sided hair loss, as I am only 24 years old.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Hair loss on a particular area of the scalp may be due to multiple reasons, including:

1. Male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is most often genetically transmitted from the maternal end of the family, where maternal uncles, siblings, or grandparents may have had premature baldness or hair loss.

2. Telogen effluvium is a condition with sudden loss or thinning of hair post-stress especially following viral infections, including chicken pox, COVID infections, and typhoid. In addition, following any major surgery causes our body to undergo a stressful event and thereby arrest the hair cycle at the dormant stage wherein there may not be hair growth or loss, making it appear as if the hair has become thin and losing its density. Most often, telogen effluvium is reversible, and the lost hair may be restored through multiple procedures and medications. However, in a few cases, especially if left untreated, they may become chronic, reducing hair regrowth.

3. Alopecia areata is a coin-shaped patchy hair loss at one or multiple areas of the scalp, sometimes beard and mustache, occurring due to autoimmune conditions where antibodies produced within our body act against one's cells and may also be associated with other underlying autoimmune conditions, including thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and so on. They may be managed through medications and procedures. However, they may recur and do not have cure to prevent recurrences.

4. Tinea capitis is basically a fungal infection that is caused due to sharing of belongings with an infected person, direct contact with an infected person, excess sweating, stagnation of moisture and sweat, lowered immunity, and so on. They may be treated with an early diagnosis. However, if left untreated may lead to scar formation, which may not be reversible.

5. Seborrheic dermatitis is dandruff or flakes which form on the scalp due to dryness and fungal infections and may present with itching and loss of hair. But maybe managed, thereby reversing hair loss.

6. Androgenetic alopecia is one of men's most common causes of hair loss. It causes hair loss due to fluctuations in testosterone hormones produced among males, which may be managed with topical and oral medications.

Other causes of hair loss include vitamin deficiencies, dietary factors, climate factors, lowered immunity, using hair care products frequently, hair treatments including hair smoothening or straightening, and hair colors. Unfortunately, since an image has not been provided, it may be difficult to provide a confirmatory diagnosis.

However, I request you kindly provide an image of the affected area via the image option in the query section for further assessment, confirmatory diagnosis, and appropriate management. My advice for general hair loss :

1. Blood tests including CBC (complete blood count), Hb (hemoglobin), S. Ferritin, S. Iron, S. Zinc, DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), TFT (thyroid function test), ANA (antinuclear antibody), S. vitamin D3, and S. vitamin B12. These tests help determine vitamin deficiencies and hormonal fluctuations, which may be managed with supplements.

2. HK vitals biotin tablets to be taken orally once daily after dinner for two months. They help with stimulating hair growth.

3. Minoxidil with Finasteride 5 % solution or Regain 5 % solution, which is without Finasteride, may be used on areas of hair loss which is to be applied on the area of hair loss in 1 ml quantity only at night on a clean, dry scalp. Apply 1 ml quantity using the dropper available with the medication or three to four sprays, massage into scalp, and keep overnight. Wash off in the morning. Minoxidil with Finasteride helps increase blood supply and circulation to the hair follicles, stimulating their growth. However, they need to be used for years to show changes. Initially to be started once daily for one year, then reduced to six times per week for the next year, then five times per week the following year, and so on. They should not be abruptly stopped as they may lead to sudden cut off of blood supply to hair follicles leading to their loss. Therefore slowly tapering down the solution each year is the way to let your scalp get accustomed to the solution. Avoid usage in case of migraine, seizures, major medical conditions, history of allergies, etc. Minoxidil solution with Finasteride always requires minimum usage of at least one year to show results and should be continued, as mentioned above. Regain is devoid of Finasteride and is also beneficial. However, a solution with Finasteride is most helpful for stimulating hair growth and density. I have included the generic name so that any brand with the above contents may be purchased depending on the availability in your country of residence with the same strength.

4. Procedures are most beneficial and work better when coupled with medications. Procedures include PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or GFC (growth factor concentrate) and mesotherapy treatments. They are superficial injections taken on the scalp using one's own blood components after extracting the growth factors. They are done on a monthly basis and help with stimulating hair follicles. Mesotherapy is done similarly. However, a serum containing vitamins and biotin is used instead of blood components. Both procedures require an in-person consultation with a dermatologist for undergoing the procedure.

5. Laser techniques are also available, done once a month, where the laser beams penetrate the hair follicles to stimulate their growth. They are done at a dermatologist's clinic but may be relatively expensive. As I have mentioned above, an assessment based on the image provided and an assessment of the affected area's severity may be required to provide further management options based on the diagnosis, as the treatment varies for each condition. However, the advice mentioned above is for general hair loss, assuming they are due to hormonal and other causes. It may be avoided in case of underlying medical conditions causing the same.

Kindly follow up with the image for further assessment and management.