Sunday, January 18, 2015

Hair Loss Treatment Tips

MEN HAIR LOSS TREATMENT - WHY MEN LOSE HAIR

A lot of men experience alopecia at some point in their lives; in fact research indicates that 4 in 7 men have the baldness gene. Baldness can start at different ages; most men experience it at around the age of 35, however today there are several cases of early hair loss in men, starting as early as 20s. The venture in to hair transplantation is becoming a really common medical practice, since men are seeking solutions to curb hair loss. Many men assume that baldness is a result of excessive testosterone but they are completely wrong. We will look deeply into this hormone causing the male pattern baldness i.e. androgenic alopecia, as well as other factors that cause it. This will make you more enlightened and well-informed to practice preventive measures against losing hair early enough.

Common causes of Male Hair Loss

Androgenic alopecia triggered by Di Hydro Testosterone (DHT)

This is a pattern of hair thinning in men which results in a receding hairline and a thinning crown, leaving a horse shoe shaped ring at the back and sides of the head. This is caused by a hormone called dihydtotestosterone (DHT) which affects hair growth and prostate as well. DHT acts on genetically vulnerable follicles, causing them to shorten, miniaturize and eventually disappear hence thinning in the specific areas of the scalp until the hair completely stops growing. However the hair at the back of the head is less susceptible to DHT and more permanent. During hair transplantation, the permanent hair is transplanted to the balding area, and since the follicles retain their DHT effects resistivity characteristics, they continue to grow normally.

To prevent the effects of DHT, medications like Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) can be taken to reverse miniaturization.

Physical and Emotional Stress

Physically stressing the hair strands by pulling hair tightly either braiding or pony tails called traction alopecia and other activities like excessive styling using lots of heat or harsh chemicals cause hair loss by weakening the strands that eventually break off. Some people also have the habit of pulling off their hair unknowingly; this is known as trichotillomania; a habit that results in alopecia.

Chemotherapy while targeting rapidly growing cells affects the growth phase of hair, slowing growth and eventually hair thinning. Radiotherapy of the scalp causes trauma to the affected areas causing baldness. Stressful experiences like accidents, severe illness, surgery poisoning, cause temporary shock loss where a lot of hair enters resting phase at the same time telogen effluvium, resulting in severe shedding and balding.

Emotionally stressful periods like death of a loved one, break ups and divorce can also cause hair loss.

Medication and Drugs

Some drugs which affect the natural hormonal balance can cause permanent or temporary loss of hair. Such medications are for example anabolic steroids and drugs that are used to cure blood pressure, acne, diabetes, blood thinners, anti depressants, heart disease, cholesterol and mycotic infections.

Seasonal Hair Loss

Seasonal hair loss occurs during the changes of seasons, because the skin is trying to adjust itself to the new weather. Maximum hair loss is experienced during winter, the scalp gets too dry and flaky and sheds hair. In summer, the skin sweats a lot, blocking pores and preventing healthy hair-growth. Excessive UV rays from the sun damage the hair.

Immune system diseases and Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland regulates the metabolism of the body by releasing some hormones. Birth abnormalities and removal of thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism which is under production of some hormones resulting in patchy loss known as alopecia areata.

Diseases where the immune system attacks healthy body tissue are known as autoimmune diseases e.g diabetes and arthritis. Cicatricial alopecia is hair loss that results from the immune system attacking the hair follicles causing permanent hair loss scars.

Poor Nutrition

Hair is made from protein called keratin. Poor nutrition affects hair-growth. Deficiencies in nutrients like protein, iron, vitamin B, zinc, biotin. Excess vitamin A intake can also cause hair loss.

Infections

A common fungal infection of the scalp commonly known as ring worm (tinea capitis) that arise due to poor hygiene causes hair loss scar. Other infections that cause alopecia secondary syphilis, dissecting celullitis and folliculitis. In a more oily scalp, a microscopic mite called demodex follicullorum is likely to thrive; it feeds on sebum, denying hair its nutrients causing thinning and falling.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Poor habits like insufficient sleep, smoking and excessive drinking can also affect hair growth adversely. Carbon monoxide from smoke prevents circulation of oxygen to the follicles, while excess drinking of alcohol causes dehydration stopping the body from absorbing essential nutrients.

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