Is the treatment really for me? The “ME” in TREAT-"ME"-NT

Do I really want to start this treatment?

When it comes to treating hair loss, the final decision on whether or not to use a treatment is left up to the patient.  This is true for many parts of the medicine of course, but it’s very applicable to treating hair loss. A patient with high blood pressure, really should take their blood pressure pills and change their lifestyle and diet. A patient with diabetes really should use their diabetes medications.  But there is no ‘should’ when it comes to deciding on using a hair loss treatment or not.  With no exception at all, it’s a personal decision.

The ME in Treat"ME"nt

In my practice, I see the whole spectrum of "ME" in Treatment.  And one must never assume that all patients want treatment for their hair loss.  The rationalization that an individual would not make an appointment, take time out of their day visit the clinicif they did not want treatment – is simply not correct.  Hundreds of stories in my professional career back this up.

So what is the spectrum?  There are some patients who simply want to know that their hair loss does not indicate anything more sinester.  Every now and then I meet a patient with hair loss who is so over the moon with excitement that their hair loss is “just” hereditary hair loss.  They don’t want treatment – they simply wanted to know that their health was not in jeopardy.  And then on the other side of the spectrum is the patient who has tried nearly all treatments for their hair loss.  When I mention one last one with the most remote of chances it can help, they want to try.  Side effects are possible and close monitoring will be needed to make sure none of those side effects occur. They want to try.  For them, the benefits of treatment, the benefits of growing hair greatly outweigh any such risks.  In their mind, they are saying – this is for ME!