If you have tried searching for solutions to hair loss online, there is a good chance that you have come across recommendations for hair masks. Hair masks are topical treatments designed to moisturise your scalp and provide your hair follicles with valuable nutrients.
Hair masks can make your hair smell good, feel amazing, and even be great for your skin. However, regarding the effectiveness of hair masks for treating hair loss, evidence still seems to be very little. If you are not so much familiar with hair masks, this article might interest you! Read on to learn more about hair masks and whether or not they can treat hair loss.
What are hair masks?
The term “hair mask” pertains to various homemade masks and store-bought products that can be applied to your hair. Most of these masks are formulated to treat frizzy hair, dry hair, or hair that has suffered chemical damage.
Hair masks work almost the same way as deep conditioners, but they have a couple of differences. For one, while a lot of conditioners are typically applied to the hair for just a few minutes, it is common for hair masks to sit on the scalp for at least 15 minutes to one hour or longer.
Most hair masks you can buy in stores contain nourishing ingredients, such as coconut oil, honey, biotin, and argan oil. However, you can also make hair masks at home with common daily ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen, such as olive oil, apple cider vinegar, ripe banana, and more.
Are hair masks effective at treating hair loss?
Hair masks can help you grow healthier hair, but there is not much scientific evidence to prove that the ingredients contained in homemade and store-bought hair masks are effective at treating hair loss. Hair loss happens for various reasons, such as heredity, stress, medical conditions, and hormonal changes.
For example, the most common type of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness, which occurs due to the effects of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone is produced as a byproduct of testosterone. It can attach to one’s hair follicles and gradually shrink in size, impacting the cycle of a person’s hair growth and resulting in hairs that are physically smaller and thinner and have less ability to penetrate through the scalp.
Over time, these hair follicles can stop generating new hairs, thereby causing noticeable thinning at one’s part line and other areas of the scalp.
Other types of hair loss can also happen due to health conditions. For instance, telogen effluvium or stress hair loss can occur because of chronic stress, hormonal changes, fever-causing illnesses, and nutritional deficiencies. Some fungal infections and autoimmune diseases can likewise lead to hair loss.
Although hair masks benefit the hair shaft, they have no substantial effects on a person’s DHT, stress, or overall health. Moreover, there is no evidence to prove that hair masks have any valuable impact on the supply of nutritious ingredients to the hair follicles or blood flow to the scalp.
Proven and Tested Alternative Hair Loss Treatments
There is little evidence to prove that hair masks are a practical solution to preventing or treating hair loss. If you are currently experiencing hair shedding or hair loss, you should consider the following proven and tested treatments instead:
1. Hair Transplant
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which hair is taken from one area of your head and transferred to the areas that are experiencing baldness or thinning. This solution is popular among people with hair thinning or hair loss because it can effectively help restore hair fullness for an extended time. However, hair transplants can be pretty expensive, with each session costing around $8,000 to $12,000.
2. Hair Replacement System
If you do not like to undergo surgery, you can opt for a hair replacement system to treat your hair loss. Hair replacement systems work almost similarly to hair wigs for men but are meticulously designed to look more discreet and natural. The purpose of a hair replacement system is to conceal the bald patches on your head instantly and non-surgically. This solution is also more affordable compared to a hair transplant and customised to your individual needs. In Singapore, hair replacement costs may vary depending on the specifications of the system.
3. Medications
Medications, such as spironolactone, minoxidil, and topical finasteride, can also effectively treat some forms of hair loss. These medications work by accelerating your hair’s growth cycle, delivering nutrients to your hair follicles, increasing blood circulation to your scalp, and slowing down the production of hormones that result in hair loss. However, these medications can come with side effects. Hence, it is best to consult a licensed healthcare provider before using them.
Conclusion
Overall, while hair masks can make your hair look and feel better and minimise the severity of your hair damage, there is still no scientific evidence to show that they can help prevent hair loss or enhance healthy hair growth. As such, it is best to consider hair masks as a part of your hair care routine but not as an effective solution to hair loss. Medications, hair transplants, and hair replacement systems are your best options when treating hair loss.
For the best and most natural-looking hair replacement system in Singapore, Rehair Lab is the specialist you can trust! We offer premium-quality hair pieces that will help you deal with hair loss and provide you with natural-looking, healthy, thick, and stunning hair. Contact us to learn more about our effective hair loss solutions, and book an appointment with us now!