When it comes to hair loss treatment and vitamins for hair loss, there are a whole host of treatments and supplements out there, meaning it can often be difficult to know what are the best vitamins and treatments to take.

We’ve taken a look at three common hair loss treatments, their side effects, and their long-term benefits.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil solution and foam are frequently used to help hair growth in the treatment of hair loss. In men, Minoxidil is typically used to treat male pattern baldness, whilst in women, it is used to treat hair thinning.

Minoxidil works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles, slowing down or stopping hair loss.

The Side Effects

It’s important to note that Minoxidil can cause a number of side effects, including burning, stinging, or redness at the site of application. It can also cause more hair loss at first, as some of the old hairs are pushed out by the new ones.

Other reported side effects include signs of aging, such as dark circles and bags under the eyes. These can continue to be a problem, even after the treatment has been discontinued.

In rarer cases, it can also cause more serious effects such as unwanted facial/body hair, dizziness, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, chest pain, weight gain, and tiredness.

Finasteride

Finasteride is used to treat male pattern baldness at the crown and the middle of the scalp. The medication works by decreasing the amount of DHT, a natural hormone found in the body. Decreasing levels of DHT leads to increased hair regrowth and slower hair loss.

The Side Effects

Side effects associated with Finasteride include decreased sexual ability and desire. In some men, the medication can also decrease the amount of semen released during sex. These effects are harmless, but can continue even after the treatment has stopped.

Amino Acids

Because the strands of your hair are made up of proteins and melanin pigments, it’s not surprising that amino acids (the building blocks of protein) promote healthy hair growth.

Crucially, amino acids form Keratin – the protein that makes up the majority of each hair strand. In addition to producing essential Keratin, amino acids also create red blood cells, which deliver nutrients and oxygen to hair-producing follicles. And we all know that nutrient-rich hair is healthy hair.

In order for the body to produce Keratin, it must receive the necessary amount of amino acids already present in the hair. Human hair consists of 18 Amino Acids, 8 of which are Essential Amino Acids.

Through boosting the availability of key Amino Acids involved in the production of Keratin and Collagen, it is possible to combat hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. Kera Health contains all 18 of the Amino Acids needed for healthy hair growth.

The Long Term Benefits

Whilst Minoxidil and Finasteride have been proven to help reduce hair loss, the long-term effects are not as impressive. The treatments will only work as long as you are using them –  as soon as you stop, your hair loss will return to how it was before.

The nature of Amino Acids, on the other hand, means that regular use can offer long term as well as short-term benefits. Taking Amino Acids for hair will help reduce hair loss and hair thinning, whilst promoting hair growth.

The Side Effects

Amino Acid supplements don’t present any side effects – allowing you to reap the benefits of healthy hair without any of the added risk.

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