How To Treat Bald Spot: 6 Effective Hair Loss Treatments

Noticing bald spots on areas of your head can be disconcerting. On the one hand, patchy hair loss can bring down your self-confidence. Conversely, it can point to a deeper sign of an underlying medical issue.

Hair loss is a prevalent issue not just among men but also women. While male pattern baldness is more common, affecting tens and millions of men yearly, it can also happen to women.

Therefore, understanding how to treat bald spots is the key to preventing severe hair loss and maintaining a good sense of self-esteem.

Treatment options for bald spots may range from topical medication, hair implants, surgery, or changes to hair care habits and regimens.

This guide discusses the common causes of bald spots, how they affect hair growth and follicles, and medical conditions that can lead to patchy hair loss. We also discuss tips and tricks to ensure you can regrow hair healthily once more.

What Causes Bald Spots?

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The science around bald spots, thinning hair or hair loss, can confuse the average person. Many experts often attribute bald spots to ageing and other genetic factors that almost always follow a “pattern” (hence the term female or male-pattern baldness).

In women, bald spots occur on the head of hair, starting from the parting line. Hair loss starts with a gradual hair thinning, affecting about 1/3 of the head.

Male hair loss is much different and typically starts as a receding hairline. This progresses to a bald spot on the top of the head, and the hair continues to thin until a U-shaped or a large crown of bald spot forms.

When it’s determined that the cause of bald spots isn’t genetics or age, it often points to an autoimmune disorder known as alopecia areata.

Alopecia Areata At A Glance

Alopecia areata is a disease that occurs when hair follicles are attacked by the body’s immune system. This condition affects not only hair on the head but also other parts (particularly the face).

People with alopecia areata usually observe small patches (about 1/4 in size) forming on different areas of their heads. However, hair loss is much more apparent and extreme in severe cases.

People with alopecia areata are generally healthy and do not manifest other symptoms, nor do they have other chronic medical conditions.

Recovering from alopecia areata is also often unpredictable, with some people able to fully regrow hair while others aren’t.

While there isn’t yet any cure to treat alopecia areata, many hair growth treatments can help regrow hair more quickly. Patients also can turn to hair transplant surgery and scalp inflammation treatment to restore the fullness of hair.

How To Get Rid Of Bald Spots: 6 Ways

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As mentioned, most bald spots/hair loss cases are treatable via hair thinning solutions, products, medication, or lifestyle changes.

Since there are many possible causes of bald spots, accurately diagnosing the root cause of the hair loss issue is crucial to get suitable treatment options.

It’s best to consult with a certified trichologist who can diagnose the causes of your hair loss and prescribe treatments for other scalp-related diseases.

But depending on the extent of your hair loss, it’s possible to treat your bald spots through the following methods:

1. Consider A Hair Transplant Surgery

If you experience significant hair loss and visible bald spots (but otherwise have a healthy head of hair), you can consider getting a hair transplant.

Hair transplant or hair restoration surgery involves moving healthy hair follicles towards areas with thinning hair (similar to grafting).

Your trichologist will first determine if you’re a good candidate for hair transplant surgery. But you’ll typically need to have thicker areas of hair before you can qualify for this treatment.

How hair transplant surgery works: Your healthcare provider or dermatologist starts by taking small skin pieces from areas of your body with healthy hair. These areas are called “donor sites” (usually the back of the scalp).

Then, they begin switching the grafts’ positions towards the bald patches. With time and recovery, the formerly patchy areas should heal, leading to renewed hair growth.

What ONLY AESTHETICS offers: Our hair loss treatment for men uses AI-powered, deep machine learning tech which examines individual hair follicles and hair types and ultimately determines the root cause of balding.

Our proprietary hair loss treatment in Singapore limits the production of DHT hormones (dihydrotestosterone) to restore balance in your hair’s growth cycle. It’s an effective treatment which can stop permanent hair loss and promote hair regrowth in 85% and 65% of men, respectively.

2. Scalp Micropigmentation

If hair surgery may be too expensive for you, non-invasive hair loss treatments like scalp micro pigmentation are another option.

Scalp micro pigmentation is a cosmetic treatment which involves the insertion of thin needles to apply small dots of colour on the scalp. It can help hide visible bald patches or give the appearance of shaved hair.

While this procedure doesn’t remove your bald spots nor lead to real hair growth, it’s an inexpensive bald spot treatment that more and more people with hair loss issues are turning towards.

3. Apply Minoxidil

Studies have noted that minoxidil remains a mainstay treatment for androgenetic alopecia and is often used as an off-label treatment for other hair loss-related conditions.

Minoxidil targets hair follicles, promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss. But it must be done continuously, as hair loss can return if you stop treatment for 12 to 24 weeks.

Topical minoxidil (applied directly to the scalp) must be used for three to six months before any positive results are observable.

It usually comes in small spray bottles with application instructions. Here’s a brief guide on applying minoxidil to your head:

• Dry your scalp completely before applying the medicine to your scalp.
• Start in the centre area of your hair, then apply the prescribed amount. (Follow your healthcare provider’s advice for this step).
• Avoid shampooing your hair for at least four hours after spraying it with minoxidil.
• Avoid using hair dryers, as this could reduce the medicine’s efficacy.
• Leave the medicine to dry completely for 2 to 4 hours. Repeat the process twice daily or as prescribed by your doctor.

4. Don’t Tie Your Hair Too Tightly

You may want to reconsider if you have long hair and are used to frequently winding it in a bun, braids, or other hairstyles. It may not be obvious, but how you tie your hair may lead to hair loss. This can also lead to another condition known as traction alopecia.

Traction alopecia can be reversed by wearing your hair loosely more often. Try not to use too many clips or ties that can pull the hairs from your scalp. You can observe a marked improvement in hair volume.

5. Antifungal Treatment (For Scalp Ringworm)

Hair loss may also be due to scalp ringworm or tinea capitis. This condition appears as small bald spots or rashes caused by an unaddressed fungal infection. It derives its name from the patches’ shape, but no actual ringworms are involved.

If your doctor determines you have scalp ringworm, they may prescribe treatment in the form of antifungal medicine. Take it as prescribed, and stick to the treatment plan, even if the symptoms have improved.

Your doctor may also suggest changing hair habits, like regular shampooing, keeping your hair clean and dry, and other tricks to prevent reinfection.

6. Steroid Injections (For Alopecia Areata)

There are many ways for your doctor to diagnose you with patchy alopecia areata. But they’ll ask if the condition affects your daily life and whether you need treatment.

When treatment is necessary, your doctor will consider factors like genetic predisposition to hair loss, age, extent of hair loss, and affected area.

For patchy alopecia areata, which frequently happens in people aged 10 and over, steroid injections are the most effective treatment.

Your doctor will inject corticosteroids into the bald spots or areas to help facilitate hair regrowth. The injections will often be done every four or eight weeks, depending on your condition.

Conclusion How To Treat Bald Spots

Bald, patchy areas on your scalp can seem like the end of the world, but it doesn’t always have to be. Many treatment options for hair growth are available, especially for people suffering from conditions like:

• Androgenetic alopecia
• Ringworm of the scalp
• Alopecia areata
• Telogen effluvium
• And many others

Treatments for bald spots can either be surgical or topical. It’s best to consult with a seasoned dermatologist or healthcare provider before starting an anti-hair loss treatment plan.

ONLY AESTHETICS offers Singapore’s first AI-powered scalp solution. We provide state-of-the-art scalp treatments in Singapore for people suffering from hair thinning, grey hair, dandruff, oily scalp, itchy scalp, damaged hair, and many more.

Get in touch with us now and let us know how we can help address your scalp problems.

Frequently Asked Questions On How To Treat Bald Spots

Can I Regrow Hair On Bald Spots?

Yes. It’s possible to restore hair growth on bald spots, but you’ll need multiple treatments to get your desired results. Always consult with an experienced healthcare provider, as some hair growth problems point to a deeper medical condition.

Is There A Cure For Baldness?

No. There is currently no cure for baldness caused by alopecia areata. However, many treatments can restore hair growth quickly. ONLY AESTHETICS offers patient-approved bald spot treatments in Singapore

Can Bald Spots Grow Bigger?

Yes. In severe cases, bald spots or patchy areas of the scalp can grow bigger. It’s advisable to consult with a medical professional to help you identify the root cause of your bald spots.

Can Coconut Oil Treat Bald Spots?

While some scientific studies point to the efficiency of coconut oil in preventing the loss of protein in hair, no scientific evidence backs the claim that it can treat bald spots or prevent male-pattern baldness (MPB) caused by DHT.