We’ve already looked at a couple of the most commonly used hair loss treatments for people with less than 50 per cent hair loss, but what about more severe cases?
As with treatments for milder conditions, there are many options available for people with more than 50 per cent hair loss. These options can often be expensive, invasive and ineffective, so it is useful to know the pros and cons of each before making a final decision.
PUVA treatment
PUVA (psoralen + UVA) treatment involves taking a light-sensitive drug then undergoing a brief exposure to UVA light.
Pro: This treatment only takes three to six weeks to complete
Con: It is quite time consuming, as two to three sessions a week are required
Pro: It can be effective for more recent hair loss
Cons: The treatment does not have a very encouraging success rate at just 6 -12 per cent
Immunosuppressive medication
Pros: The treatment is designed to suppress the immune system so that the hair will have a chance to regrow
Cons: As it suppresses the immune system, the risk of infection is higher
Pros: This treatment is available on prescription via the NHS