Hair loss treatments have to mount enormous obstacles to produce convincing results. Attempting to thwart the mechanisms that underpin hair loss, which can be both environmental and genetic, is no small feat. Despite the challenges, researchers have discovered some surprising solutions, such as applying onion juice.
A study published in the Journal of Dermatology sought to assess the effectiveness of topical crude onion juice in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata in comparison with tap water.
Alopecia areata is a condition that causes hair to fall out in small patches, which can be unnoticeable.
The patients were divided into two groups: The first group (onion juice treated) consisted of 23 patients, 16 males and seven females. Their ages ranged between five to 42 years.
The second group consisted of 15 patients, eight males and seven females. Their ages ranged between three to 35 years.
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In contrast, hair regrowth was apparent in only two patients at eight weeks of treatment in the tap-water treated group.
In their concluding remarks, the researchers said: “The present study showed that the use of crude onion juice gave significantly higher results with regard to hair re-growth than did tap water and that it can be an effective topical therapy for patchy alopecia areata.”
Conventional treatments
There are other things you can try if your hair loss is causing you distress but most treatments aren’t available on the NHS, so you’ll have to pay for them.
According to the NHS, finasteride and minoxidil are the main treatments for male pattern baldness.
Some of the above treatments may not be available on the NHS.
Additional support
“If your hair loss is causing you distress, your GP may be able to help you get some counselling,” advises the NHS.
You may also benefit from joining a support group, or speaking to other people in the same situation on online forums.
Try these online support groups:
- Alopecia UK
- Alopecia Awareness.