Hair thinning isn’t just an age-related problem; statistics show that over 70% of the population faces this condition. Many choose to solve it by buying hair growth serums or hair care products because they find it economical and convenient. But have you ever wondered why, despite using them, the results aren’t noticeable and your hair continues to thin? This article will explore why the hair growth serums you’re using might not be delivering the desired results.
Do Hair Growth Serums and Medicines Really Work?
The main reason why over-the-counter hair growth serums often fail to produce results is because these products only provide nourishment but do not address the root cause of the problem. Over 90% of hair thinning is due to genetics and, in particular, the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).
Targeted treatment therefore requires medical hair growth medication under the supervision of a doctor to directly control the levels of these hormones. This helps slow hair loss and truly transforms thin hair into thick, strong hair.
The main reasons why hair growth serums don’t work.
The main reason why over-the-counter hair growth serums often don’t yield the expected results is:
- It doesn’t address the root cause (DHT hormone): Over 90% of hair thinning problems are due to genetics and the hormone DHT, which damages hair follicles. Most serums only provide superficial skin nourishment but cannot inhibit this culprit hormone.
- It’s maintenance, not treatment: Commercial products often focus on providing nutrients to the hair or stimulating blood circulation, but if hair follicles have been suppressed and atrophied by hormones, maintenance alone is not enough to regenerate hair.
- Insufficient concentration of extracts: Many hair growth or thickening serums contain herbal extracts in quantities too low to effectively alter the hair follicle structure, compared to medically proven hair growth medications with supporting research.
- Prolonged treatment can lead to permanent hair follicle atrophy: Relying too long on ineffective serums can result in missed opportunities for proper treatment, causing hair follicles to permanently close and become unable to regrow, even with strong treatments.
- Do not use medical hair growth serums: Effective treatment requires medical hair growth serums to balance hormones and restore hair from the inside out.
Understanding the main causes of hair loss and thinning hair.
Solving hair loss and thinning problems effectively and sustainably starts with understanding the root causes. The main factors affecting hair are as follows:
- Androgenetic Alopecia: This is considered the most common cause, inherited through genes from either parent. It makes hair follicles particularly sensitive to hormones, shortening the hair’s life cycle. Newly grown hair becomes progressively thinner, eventually becoming fine hairs and leading to baldness.
- DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) hormone: DHT binds to receptors in the hair follicle, causing the hair follicle to atrophy and become deprived of blood supply. Medical hair growth serums therefore focus on reducing levels of this hormone to stop hair loss and promote thicker hair regrowth.
- Stress, nutrition, and underlying medical conditions: When the body experiences accumulated stress, it releases cortisol, a hormone that negatively impacts the hair growth cycle. Furthermore, deficiencies in essential nutrients such as protein and iron, or underlying medical conditions like kidney disease or thyroid disease, can contribute to more severe hair loss, to the point where ordinary hair growth serums may not be effective.
- Hair-damaging behaviors: Washing hair with very hot water, frequent use of heat and chemicals from hair coloring, or even tying hair too tightly against the scalp, weakens and inflames hair roots, leading to chronic hair loss that requires a combination of lifestyle changes and treatment.
How to Slow Hair Loss Without a Transplant
If you’re not ready for permanent hair transplant surgery due to concerns about the high cost, using hair growth solutions or serums for initial self-care is a very popular alternative. However, caution should be exercised when purchasing products from the market, as there are many counterfeit or substandard products on the market today.
Therefore, before deciding on which hair growth serum or oral medication to use, you should thoroughly research the information or consult a doctor to ensure you get worthwhile results.
Get to know hair growth serums before deciding to use them.
Treating hair loss and thinning requires the use of medically approved medications. Currently popular hair growth medications can be divided into three main categories:
Finasteride
Finasteride is a hair growth medication that is popular worldwide and readily available in Thailand. Its main mechanism of action is to inhibit the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the culprit that weakens hair follicles and leads to premature baldness.
However, DHT also plays a role in male physical characteristics such as beards and muscles. Therefore, the use of this medication should be under the supervision of a doctor, as it requires long-term use and may have side effects on the liver if used in excessive amounts. In addition, some men (approximately 1-2%) may experience decreased libido as a side effect, but these symptoms can be managed with medical advice to adjust the dosage appropriately.
Minoxidil (oral medication)
For those seeking stronger hair roots , oral minoxidil is a doctor-recommended option. It works by slightly dilating blood vessels, allowing better blood flow to the hair follicles. Doctors often prescribe this medication in conjunction with permanent hair transplantation for enhanced results. The generally recommended dosage is 1-3 mg per day, or as assessed by a doctor. However, the oral medication may have side effects that should be considered, such as effects on blood pressure or increased hair growth in other areas of the body, including the face, arms, and legs.
Minoxidil (topical medication)
Minoxidil liquid is designed for direct application to areas of the scalp experiencing hair thinning. It’s ideal for those who find oral medication inconvenient. The medication works by dilating blood vessels in the applied area, allowing nutrients to easily reach the hair roots, promoting stronger hair growth. The correct way to use it is to spray or apply it to the scalp and gently massage it in to allow the medication to penetrate the hair roots.
However, those with sensitive skin may experience irritation or dandruff at the application site. In cases of dry or sensitive skin, a doctor may recommend switching to a tablet form for greater comfort.
How to Choose the Right Hair Growth Serum for Best Results
To ensure effective and targeted use of hair growth medication, four key criteria should be considered for real results:
Focus on the ingredients.
The key to a good product lies in the extracts used. For clinically proven results, choose a formula containing Minoxidil, which works by dilating blood vessels in the scalp, allowing nutrients to better nourish the hair roots, resulting in stronger, healthier hair growth.
Choose the one that best suits your scalp condition.
If you have sensitive or easily irritated skin, you should avoid serums with a high alcohol content. You might consider taking oral supplements instead to reduce irritation or dandruff. Choosing products that match your skin type will help prevent side effects.
Check reliable research and reviews.
Before making a purchase, check if the product is backed by research. When reading reviews, look for those with clear images of results, especially reviews showing results after 6 months or more of use, to confirm that the product can actually solve the problem in the long term.
The usage pattern must facilitate continuity.
Whether it’s a topical liquid for targeted application or convenient once-a-day tablets, choosing a form that’s easy to use and fits your daily routine will help you maintain consistency until you see noticeable changes.
If I’m severely bald, can hair growth serums still help?
If you are facing severe baldness and hair loss to the point where all the hair follicles have atrophied, using hair growth serums or taking hair growth medications is often no longer effective because there are not enough hair follicles left to stimulate new growth. In this case, the most effective and sustainable option is permanent hair transplantation.
This involves transplanting healthy hair follicles to fill in bald areas, such as the standard FUE technique, which can effectively solve the problem of baldness today.
Do You Need Hair Growth Serum After a Hair Transplant?
After permanent hair transplantation, aftercare with medication or hair growth serums remains crucial to maintain long-lasting results. The necessity for this can be divided into three main groups as follows:
- For those with a genetic predisposition (age 25 and older): Doctors recommend taking medication continuously to prevent further hair loss that may require hair transplantation in the future.
- For those whose hair loss has stopped for more than 5 years: Even if the hair loss seems stable enough to choose not to take medication, if you are not yet 60 years old, there is still a risk of hair loss recurring. Therefore, medication can still provide good results in maintaining hair health.
- For facial contouring or covering scars: If there are no genetic problems, a full course of medication like in typical cases may not be necessary. However, doctors often prescribe minoxidil to help stimulate blood circulation to the newly transplanted hair follicles, promoting stronger hair growth.
What should you check before deciding to get a hair transplant?
Before deciding on permanent hair transplantation, thoroughly research the clinic to ensure satisfactory and worthwhile results. Start by checking the doctor’s credentials and learning how to properly review reviews. Don’t rely solely on before-and-after photos; carefully examine images showing the hairline clearly using a headband, and consider results shown at least 6 months after the procedure to confirm the clinic’s credibility.