By far the most common type of hair loss is Alopecia
Androgenetica which affects mainly men between twenty
and fifty years of age. This is hereditary hair loss.
Alopecia Androgenetica accounts for about 95% of hair
loss worldwide. The word androgenetica is made up
of two words, 'androgens' meaning hormones and 'genetica'
meaning genetic (hereditary). In males with hereditary
hair loss/genetic hair loss, the male hormone testosterone
comes into contact with an enzyme (known as 5 alpha
reductase) which is present in the hair follicles
on the top and crown of the head. Testosterone is
then converted to dihydrotestosterone (otherwise commonly
referred to as DHT) and it is this DHT that shrinks
the hair follicle causing hair loss. What actually
happens is that as the hair follicle shrinks, the
hair grows thinner and its life span is shortened
and even the rate of growth is reduced. Hair normally
grows at the rate of an average of ½ inch per month.
Furthermore as the hair thins, the colour of the hair
gets lighter. Once the hair root shrinks completely
and disappears, then no hair can grow any further.
The only way to re-grow hair would be by hair root
replacement/hair transplant.
Hereditary hair loss or alopecia androgenetica is
different from alopecia androgenica. The latter is
not hereditary hair loss and mainly affects men and
women in later years usually after the age of 50 and
is caused by a combination of the hormone DHT and
age. Hereditary hair loss is passed down just as much
from the father's side of the family as the mother's
side and could in some cases skip a generation. Alopecia
androgenetica and alopecia androgenica are not classed
as illnesses. Research has produced two medical products
for stopping hair loss, minoxidil and finasteride.
There is no permanent cure for stopping hair loss.
Both these products delay baldness and are effective
with most types of alopecia. As mentioned above, hereditary
hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. It
may start at an early age, even in the teenage years
or later. Patients suffering from hereditary hair
loss or alopecia androgenetica may experience some
anxiety and distress especially if the patient is
still very young. In some cases this distress could
turn to depression and may cause complications.
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Persons suffering from hereditary hair loss are advised
to wash their hair daily. This is not a cure but it
is important to do so since some of the hormone, DHT
may be expelled through the sebum(oil) duct and settle
on the scalp. If not washed away regularly, this DHT
could re-enter the hair follicle and shrink the hair
root even faster. Some hairdressers believe that one
should not wash the hair daily but experts believe
that in cases of hereditary hair loss it is advisable
to do so. Some patients believe that by cutting or
shaving the hair, the hair would grow stronger. Unfortunately
this is not a cure for hair loss and will never stop
the production of DHT. What is very important is to
try as much as possible to keep the pores open. Therefore
the use of gel is not really recommended. Some patients
tend to use a lot of gel and even sleep with gel on
their scalp. This practice is discouraged since the
pores are blocked and the hair root will get choked.
A minimum amount of gel should be used or none at
all. Wash the gel off before night-time and always
keep a clean scalp. Eat and sleep well. If you are
suffering from week finger nails this would indicate
the your need vitamins A.D. & E. The material
of the finger nails is keratin and so is the hair.
So vitamins A.D.&E would also strengthen week
hair but would not stop thinning hair.
The rate of hair shedding in androgenetic alopecia
is speeded up by an inherited tendency. The inherited
factors in hereditary hairloss usually come from the
maternal side. Other physiological factors might cause
hair loss. Contrary to some beliefs, hair loss is
not related to poor blood circulation, frequent hair
washing or the wearing of hats. The most common type
of hair loss amongst men (and some females) is the
hereditary hair loss.
Individuals genetically predestined to develop hereditary
hairloss (male pattern baldness) have normal hair
follicles in the horseshoe - shaped fringe area of
the scalp. However, the hair follicles in the areas
destined to become bald have a genetically predetermined
sensitivity to a normal body compound called DHT.
When exposed to DHT, genetically sensitive follicles
shrink and as they become smaller, their hair-growing
cycles shorten and their resting phases lengthen.
The hairs themselves become increasingly thinner,
shorter and less deeply rooted. Eventually, hair growth
ceases.
Whilst there are several treatments, which exist today
in stopping hair loss, all treatments have their limitations.
Some treatments are quite effective in stopping hairloss
while others unfortunately could add to the patient's
distress. It is therefore very important that one
understands fully what is currently available for
dealing with the problem of hair loss, what options
are open to the patient to cure his problem, the advantages
and disadvantages of certain hair loss treatments
and what sort of guarantees are attached to these
treatments.
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