Heriditary Hair loss - Symptoms, Causes and
Treatment Options
The ordinary kind of hair loss, called hereditary
hair loss, can affect both men and women, but
women are usually affected less than men. The
condition is so common that it nearly can be regarded
as a part of the normal aging process.SYMPTOMS
OF HAIR LOSSThe pattern of hair loss and baldness
are different for men and women. On men special
areas on the head begin get totally bald. These
areas are usually at both sides of the front,
and the top back side of the head. The hair loss
then progresses with these areas extending, and
at last most of the head can be totally without
hair. However, a great area in the neck uses to
remain unaffected and keeps a thick hair cover.
The same is usually true about the area in front
of each ear.
On women all the hair on the head begins thinning,
and then gradually progress over the whole head
for many years. Women seldom get totally bald
areas on their head, but the hair often gets so
thin that the scalp is clearly visible through
the hair.THE CAUSES OF HAIR LOSSThe skin has there
layers: The outer layer, called epidermis, consists
of epithelial cells. Under this lies the dermis
consisting of connective tissue. At the bottom
there is a layer called the hypodermis consisting
mostly of fat cells. The skin has narrow pores,
hair follicles, extending from the surface down
to the top of the sub-dermis, called hair follicles.
A hair extend from a growth zone in the bottom
of each hair follicle and out at the skin surfaceBy
the common form of hair loss, a substance in the
body, dihydroxy-testosterone (DHT), gives a signal
to the cells in the hair follicles that make these
cells divide less so that the production of hair
slows or stops.DHT is a metabolic product from
testosterone, the male sex hormone. Also women
have some amount of testosterone and DHT in their
body, and therefore hair loss also affects women.
Only cells that are susceptible to the influence
from DHT will slow the growth process. This susceptibility
is inherited from the parents by some individuals,
and not by other. Follicle cells in the lower
parts of the head are usually also resistant against
the influence from DHT, and therefore these areas
seldom get bald.The effectiveness of hair growth
will not only be affected by DHT. Other substances
found in the tissue may give the cells signals
to divide more, and nutrients like vitamins, minerals
and essential fatty acids may make the growth
process more effective. Some substances in the
tissue may also block the DHT or ease the removal
of this substance. Therefore all individuals susceptible
to the influence of DHT will not lose hair in
the same extent.TREATMENT OPTIONSHaving a good
diet giving the body vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants
in the right amount may slow down the speed of
hair loss.There exist pharmacological products
on the market that can help against hair loss,
but usually not 100% effectively. Medicines used
to treat prostate hypertrophy also have been proven
to stop hair loss and to get hair to regain, because
these drugs block the substance DHT. Propecia
is a prescription bound drug to take by mouth
based on an original prostate medicine.
Rogain is a topical drug to apply 2-3 times each
day that does not block the DHT, but stimulates
the hair follicles cells to proliferate better.There
are many natural products on the market to help
against hair loss. These products often contain
several substances working together by different
principles.They may contain vitamins or minerals
that are necessary for hair growth. Other substances
give signals to the hair follicles to increase
hair growth, for example procyanidin B2. Some
ingredients work as anti-oxidants that inhibit
oxidative attack on the follicle cells, like L-arginine. Some
natural products also contain substances to block
DHT. Saw palmetto extract contains substances
acting as DHT blockers by much of the same mechanism
as prostate medicines.Still other ingredients
can reduce the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
Grean tea extract have shown itself to contain
substances with this effect.Surgery is an effective
treatment against baldness in limited areas. By
surgery hair follicles from parts of the scull
immune to DHT are moved to bold areas. The hair
in the treated areas will however not get as tight
as naturally growing hair.It is also possible
to implant artificial hair into the scalp. By
this method, large bald areas can be covered,
but the treatment implies a certain danger for
infection, requires good hair hygiene afterwards
and requires a regular refill to replace lost
hairs.
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