Hair Loss Overview
It may start with a few extra hairs coming out as you brush, but eventually it progresses to noticeable thinning of your hair and bald spots on your scalp. These are the signs of hair loss, a problem that can cause a great deal of stress and self-consciousness for its sufferers. Hair loss may be most typically associated with men but, in fact, it can happen to anyone -- men, women, and children. It is estimated that more than half of men and women in the United States experience some degree of hair loss.
Hairs are made up of a protein called keratin and consist of a shaft and follicle. The shaft is the part of the hair that we see above the skin while the follicle is located beneath the skin. At the base of each follicle is a bulb or bulge, which is the living part of the hair. Humans generally have about 100,000 hair follicles on their scalp, and typically shed approximately 100 hairs per day. This amount of hair loss is completely normal and natural. It is when daily shedding exceeds this amount that hair loss becomes visible and often troubling.
There are several different types of hair loss and many different causes. Loss of hair can occur in patches or all over the scalp. One of the most common forms of hair loss is known as androgenic alopecia, or pattern baldness. This type of baldness occurs more frequently in men, but affects women as well. While environmental factors to play a role in androgenic alopecia, genetics, age, and hormones are thought to be the main causes of this type of hair loss. Men who suffer from pattern baldness typically develop a receding hairline and thinning of hair on the crown, eventually leading to bald spots. Female pattern baldness, on the other hand, generally involves a more even thinning of the hair over the entire scalp, without a noticeably receding frontal hairline.
Hair loss can also be caused by a wide variety of illnesses and medical conditions. One condition, known as alopecia areata, is thought to be an autoimmune disease and results in patches of hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. Hair loss resulting from alopecia areata tends to be temporary although the hair may fall out and regrow a number of times. Other medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, kidney disease, and lupus can also cause hair loss.
A number of medications cause hair loss as a side effect. Chemotherapy treatments used to fight cancer often cause hair loss, as do some diet pills and medications used to treat bipolar disorder. Poor nutrition and stress can also lead to excessive shedding of hair, as can certain nervous habits such as frequently pulling on one's hair. Certain hairstyles that pull tightly on the scalp can cause damage to hair follicles and hair loss after an extended period of time. Chemical hair treatments and excessive blow drying have also been known to result in higher than normal hair loss.
Many of these types of hair loss can be avoided or treated through certain adjustments or lifestyle changes. For example, if medication is the underlying cause, a doctor can often change or adjust the type or dosage of the medication in order to alleviate this side effect. Hair loss resulting from poor nutrition or medical conditions such as diabetes can often be stopped through nutritional and lifestyle improvements and by taking better control of one's health. Excessive shedding of hair stemming from hair styling choices can be simply resolved through the avoidance of the damaging hairstyles and treatments.
However, other types of baldness such as pattern baldness have typically been viewed as permanent forms of hair loss. Yet, for those who suffer from these types of hair loss there is still hope, as a number of different treatment options are available to help prevent future hair loss and to promote new hair growth.
Medical Treatments
A number of different medical treatments are available to combat hair loss, including cortisone injections into the scalp and anthralin cream or ointment, which is applied to the scalp and washed off daily. However, two of the most effective medications in this regard are finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride, or Propecia, is a prescription medication which inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by stopping its conversion from testosterone. DHT is a hormone that plays a significant role in male pattern baldness, as it causes hair follicles to shrink. The reduction of DHT levels by taking a daily dose of Propecia will slow hair loss and, in some cases, will even promote new hair growth. However, patients only receive these benefits as long as they continue to take Propecia. This particular medication is used only to treat hair loss in men, as it is not safe for women.
Minoxidil, the second medication known to be effective, is perhaps more commonly known as Rogaine. This hair growth stimulant was previously used as a treatment for high blood pressure and is now used to treat androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata in both men and women. Rogaine comes in liquid form and is rubbed on the scalp twice-daily. It is available as a two percent solution or as a five percent solution. This medication prevents further hair loss and often causes new growth. While new growth caused by Rogaine may be thinner and shorter than regular hair, it will blend in with other hair and help to cover bald spots. Rogaine or minoxidil is most effective at treating balding areas at the top and back of the scalp. As with Propecia, discontinued use of Rogaine will stop any new hair growth. Yet, while taking the medication, results can be quite significant, helping many hair loss sufferers to regain their confidence and to lessen the negative physical and emotional effects that result from excessive hair shedding in some people. If either of these medical treatments appeals to you, talk to your physician to find out whether you are a good candidate to try Propecia or Rogaine.
Natural Treatments
Revivogen is a natural topical formula, which works through the same mechanism as Propecia®. Revivogen is made with natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to reduce DHT production. In fact, the active ingredients in Revivogen reduce DHT even more effectively than Propecia®. In addition these ingredients prevent DHT's attachment to the hair follicle, which is not done by Propecia®.
One of the best known herbal supplements that fight and reverse hair loss is Hair Essentials. Its unique formula is like a herbal vitamin; it restores the body’s ability to grow new hair from within the scalp. This natural treatment is has had tremendous success with both men and women. Some positive side effects include less gray hair, and all around healthier looking hair.
Surgery
Even when other types of hair loss treatment fail, there is still hope. Two types of surgical procedures are available to treat androgenic alopecia, scalp reduction surgery and hair transplants. Scalp reduction surgery involves the removal of bald parts of the scalp. As skin is flexible, the remaining scalp can then be stretched to cover the removed areas with hair-covered skin. Hair transplants, on the other hand, involve the relocation or transplantation of hair follicles from an area where hair grows thickly on the scalp, such as at the back, to areas of baldness. Hair follicles from donor areas tend to be bald resistant and, as result, generally grow normally once transplanted.
This type of surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Sometimes, multiple sessions are required in order to achieve the best effect, and this is something that will be discussed between patient and surgeon prior to the procedure. Expectations and preferences are also discussed before hand. When deciding to undergo either of these two types of surgery, it is important to be sure that you choose a doctor who is a properly certified and experienced dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or cosmetic surgeon. A little bit of research on the part of the patient can lead to an improved experience and better results.
In recent years, the cost of this procedure has fallen while the quality of results has improved significantly. At times, a combination of scalp reduction and hair transplants are used to achieve a more natural look in those who have experienced more severe hair loss. With lowering costs and improved results, surgical treatments for hair loss are becoming more and more popular among those who are looking for a way to resolve and take control of their hair loss problem. So if you are suffering from baldness, rest assured that there are several treatment options available that could help you win the battle against hair loss.
