Hair Growth: The Solutions for Baldness

Our hair is much more than just fibers. It's a part of our identity, self-expression, and how we feel about ourselves. Therefore, the moment we start noticing too many hairs on the brush, in the sink, or on the pillow can be stressful and distressing. The fear of baldness or thinning hair is universal—it affects both men and women, sometimes in different ways but with a similar emotional impact.

If you're here, you're probably worried, checking your hairline in the mirror, or looking for ways to encourage healthy and strong hair growth. The good news is that you're not alone—and modern science now understands the hair loss process better than ever before. Moreover, today there are a variety of effective solutions, including advanced medical treatments. However, it's important to match the solution to yourself—not yourself to the solution. In other words, personalized treatment based on your specific condition is key to achieving maximum effectiveness.

What Causes Hair To Fall Out?

Before we talk about hair growth, let's understand the problem.

Our scalp hair grows in regular cycles. Each hair follicle goes through three stages:

Growth (Anagen) – The active phase during which the hair grows. It lasts between two to six years on average (up to seven years in some people).

Transition (Catagen) – A short phase of about two weeks during which the follicle shrinks.

Resting (Telogen) – A phase of about three months in which the hair rests in the follicle and eventually falls out to make room for a new hair, beginning a new growth cycle.

Normal hair shedding is part of this cycle (about 50-150 hairs per day, depending on the season and individual factors). Excessive hair loss or baldness occurs when this balance is disrupted—more hairs enter the resting phase, the growth phase shortens, or the follicles themselves shrink and become miniaturized (a process called miniaturization) until they stop producing visible hair altogether. Understanding the cause is the key to treatment, as hair loss is often a symptom—and the reasons can vary widely.

Genetic And Hormonal Factors (Androgenetic Alopecia)

This is the most common cause, affecting both men and women, It is an inherited genetic tendency in which the hair follicles are sensitive to a derivative of the male hormone testosterone. The hormone responsible is called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced when a specific enzyme (5α-reductase) converts testosterone. DHT binds to the sensitive follicles, causing them to shrink, dramatically shorten their growth phase, and eventually stop producing hair altogether.

In men – This appears as the classic receding hairline and thinning on the crown.

In women – It usually presents as general thinning across the top of the scalp, especially along the central part, while the frontal hairline often remains intact.

Stress And Major Life Events (Telogen Effluvium)

When the body experiences extreme stress, it enters a survival mode and diverts resources away from nonessential functions such as hair growth. This stress can be psychological (loss, work pressure, anxiety) or physical (surgery, high fever, rapid weight loss, childbirth). The body pushes a large percentage of hair follicles (up to 70% in extreme cases, but usually 30-50%) into the resting phase (Telogen) all at once. About three months later, all these hairs shed simultaneously, creating the impression of sudden and alarming hair loss. The good news is that in most cases, this type of hair loss is completely reversible once the source of stress has passed, and hair typically begins to regrow within 6-12 months.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Our hair is made of protein (keratin) and needs a constant supply of vitamins and minerals to stay strong and healthy. A significant deficiency in any of the following may lead to hair loss:

Iron and Ferritin (Iron stores) – The most common nutritional cause of hair loss, especially in women (due to menstruation). Doctors often check ferritin levels, the most reliable measure of iron stores in the body (normal range: above 40-70 ng/mL, depending on the lab).

Vitamin D – Deficiency is very common (over 70% of people in Western countries) and linked to various types of hair loss.

Zinc, Vitamin B12, and Biotin – Essential for cellular metabolism in the hair follicle.

Protein – Extremely low-protein diets directly affect the body's ability to produce new hair.

Medical Conditions And External Damage

Sometimes, hair loss is a symptom of an underlying health condition. Imbalance in thyroid function is a common disruptor of hair growth cycles. Autoimmune diseases such as Alopecia Areata cause the immune system to attack the follicles. Additionally, physical damage such as tight hairstyles or aggressive chemical treatments can harm the follicles and even cause permanent damage.

How To Encourage Hair Growth?

Now that we understand the causes, let's talk about solutions. It's important to remember — there is no single magic cure. The most effective approach to promoting hair growth is almost always a combination of treatments, personalized to each individual, and requires patience and consistency (visible results usually appear after 3-6 months). The most important step is to consult a dermatologist for a professional diagnosis before beginning any treatment.

Step One: Professional Diagnosis And Lifestyle Changes

This is the foundation of any treatment:

Dermatological Diagnosis – The critical first step. The doctor will ask questions, examine the scalp under magnification, and order blood tests (CBC, Ferritin, Vitamin D, B12, thyroid function, and others). It may be possible that lifestyle changes, medication and links to your diagnosis, you're shooting in the dark. Today, it's even possible to undergo scalp and hair analysis through telemedicine services using advanced tools and personalized questionnaires.

Supportive Nutrition – Eat a protein-rich diet with iron (meats, leafy greens, legumes), zinc (nuts, seeds, whole grains), and healthy fats like avocado.

Gentle Hair Care – Use mild, sulfate-free shampoos, massage your scalp, avoid overly tight hairstyles, and limit heat exposure.

Stress Management – Get active, meditate, and get sufficient sleep (7-9 hours) to lower cortisol levels, which can negatively affect hair growth.

Step Two: Personalized Medical Treatment

The options include:

Oral Treatment (Prescription medication) – Designed to stop hair loss, thicken existing hair, and in many cases promote regrowth, especially in the crown area.

Topical Treatment (Applied directly on the scalp) – Custom-formulated products for daily use that dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to follicles, helping 'wake up' dormant follicles and extend the growth phase.

Hormonal Therapy (Prescription only) – When blood tests reveal excess androgens or conditions such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

Nutrient Replenishment (Medical-grade supplements) – If tests reveal deficiencies like anemia or low Vitamin D, the doctor will prescribe higher-dose medical supplements (not regular multivitamins) to restore proper levels essential for hair growth.

It's important to tailor treatment separately for men and women. Topical treatments are often preferable to systemic ones, as they can be more targeted and effective.

Step Three: Advanced Medical Treatments

These treatments are performed in clinics to give the scalp an intensive boost:

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy – Blood is drawn from the patient, centrifuged to isolate platelets, which release natural growth factors (PDGF, VEGF), injecting this concentrated plasma into thinning scalp areas stimulates dormant follicles to re-enter the growth phase. Typically requires 3-6 major sessions and annual maintenance.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) – Laser cap or internal light at low energy (as helmet, comb, or in-clinic device), the light is absorbed by follicle mitochondria, stimulating cellular energy production and increasing follicle activity to support regrowth.

Hair Mesotherapy – Superficial injections into the scalp containing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Note: These treatments can be expensive, and their effectiveness varies among individuals.

Step Four: Surgical Solution

When other treatments are insufficient or in cases of advanced baldness, hair transplantation may be a viable option.

Procedure essence – This is not a treatment for hair loss per se, but a relocation of hair. The surgeon removes healthy, DHT-resistant follicles (usually from the back of the scalp—the donor area) and implants them one by one into thinning areas. This solution suits men with androgenetic alopecia and is strongly donor area. For women, the suitability is more complex.

Discover Personalized Hair Growth Solutions With SKCURE

We offer a convenient and comprehensive telemedicine service designed to improve hair growth. The process begins with a consultation and diagnosis by specialist doctors through a professional questionnaire and advanced AI tools, enabling precise customisation of treatment based on your individual needs. Our uniqueness lies in providing a personalized, tailor-made formula that combines up to six active ingredients in a single product—eliminating the need to purchase multiple separate treatments. Each formula is prepared under strict pharmaceutical supervision and delivered directly and discreetly to your doorstep.

Authored By - Dr. Shlomo Sadoun

A pioneering pharma entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the health and biotechnology sectors. Operating at the intersection of science, innovation, and a global vision, leading the development of advanced medical solutions with a real impact on patients’ lives.