Hair loss is something that impacts many people throughout their lives. Men typically experience hair loss more than women do. Some men seem to lose their hair before they turn thirty-five and other men have a full head of hair into the later years of their life. It is normal to be concerned about hair loss, but hair loss isn’t something to be afraid of. It is possible to treat hair loss if you wish to. 

 

What is male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness is a type of hair loss that causes men to lose hair in a specific pattern. The hair usually thins from the temples and recedes into an M-like shape. Hair loss can also begin from the crown of the head and proceed out, this usually leads to complete baldness. Male pattern baldness can begin as early as one’s teenage years. As you age you become more at risk for male pattern baldness. While many things can cause baldness, one hormone in specific has a large impact on male pattern baldness. The level of the male hormone called androgens impacts hair loss. A high level of androgens causes hair to become thin and short. Over time the hair will stop growing and fall out. [1]

Can you predict hair loss?

It is often thought that the genes from your mother’s side control whether you will lose or keep your hair. This is not true, the genes from your mother and your father play a role in the likelihood of losing your hair. There are about 200 different genes that regulate hair growth. The combination of these genes is unique and won’t appear the same in siblings. You may lose your hair, but your brother could never lose his. It is the luck of the genetic lottery. There is a way to test if you are likely to lose your hair. Your doctor can take a swab of DNA from the inside of your cheek and test for how sensitive you are to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone created by testosterone. This swab will show how likely it is you will bald and how quickly you will bald. If you are concerned about hair loss it is a good idea to speak to your doctor and ask for this test. Having more information about hair loss will make the process less intimidating and more predictable. [2]

How to treat hair loss?

There are a few different treatments for hair loss. Many men seek out treatment, and others just decide to embrace their hair loss. There is no right or wrong choice, but whatever you decide you should be informed about the treatment options for hair loss.

Medications to treat hair loss include:

• Rogaine is a liquid medication that can be applied to the scalp. This medication can slow hair loss and aid hair regrowth.

• Propecia is another medication for hair loss, this medication is in pill form. This medication can slow hair loss and help hair regrowth. This medication takes months to work, and if it works you need to continue taking it for the benefits.

A hair transplant is another option for treating hair loss. Medical Travel offers this procedure for those who want a more permanent fix. This procedure requires removing hair from a part of the head and transplanting it to a bald spot. The patches of hair will have one or more hairs that are micrografted or mini grafted to the scalp. This procedure will restore bald spots on your head. Hair transplants are a bit uncomfortable, but hospitalization is not necessary. You will be prescribed pain medication to limit any discomfort. This is a great option for those who want a quick and long-term solution to hair loss. [3]

Sources:

[1] https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/hair-loss/male-pattern-baldness-ge….

[2] https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-know-if-you-will-go-bald

[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/diagnosis-treat…

An itchy, inflamed scalp that you can’t stop scratching may be a nuisance in of itself but, if these symptoms persist and you find yourself shedding more hair than normal, this is a definite sign of contact dermatitis and a good cause for concern. After looking at an aggregate study of data from patients afflicted by contact scalp dermatitis, it appears that allergies to common ingredients and elements used in hair care are more prevalent than you might first think. So, if you find yourself visiting a clinician because you suspect an allergen might be contributing to your hair loss, request an allergen patch tests and ask if it will be possible to even test products brought from home that you specifically use as well.

Nickel

Nearly 24% of participants in this aggregate study showed an allergic response to nickel, which makes this element the top most prevalent allergen identified amongst those pulled from data. Other studies have also confirmed high numbers of reactions to nickel as well as uncovered the fact that 79% of children’s hair clasps had excessive rates of nickel release to the scalp every week. 20% of adult hair clasps were found with equally excessive release rates. Generally, common exposure to nickel occurs via:

• Combs

• Hair picks

• Brushes

• Rollers

• Hair clasps

• Metal hairpins

While this is an allergy that often affects women’s ability to wear lower-quality earrings and jewelry, it is important to remember that there are many other ways you might be exposed to nickel, particularly through hair care products.

Fragrance

The second most common allergen found within this aggregate study was fragrance. Nearly 33% of participants had positive reactions to either balsam of Peru (Myroxylon pereirae) or fragrance mixes, both of which are commonly utilized within shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

Balsam of Peru originates from a Central and South American tree called Myroxylon balsamum. The aromatic sap derived from the tree contains many potentially allergenic compounds, such as benzoic acid, benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate and cinnamic acid. While obviously sweet-smelling and a natural component in widely-used fragrance mixes, this ingredient could be a source of irritation to your scalp that you might not realize. Here are ways most people get exposed to balsam of Peru:

• Fragrances

• Aromatherapy products

• Scented oils and candles

• Air fresheners

• Deodorizers

• Incense labeled as having cinnamon, vanilla or clove aroma

• Unscented products that contain masking fragrance 

 

Other allergens

In general, fragrance allergies affect at least 1% of the adult population and are the most common cosmetic allergen and the second most common allergen overall following metals. Here are some additional allergens to take note of while searching for causes of your hair loss or scalp irritation:

• Corba, a rubber accelerator used to apply hair weaves and extensions

• Propylene glycol, which is a humectant that retains moisture and detangles hair 

• Ammonium persulfate, an ingredient used in hair lightening products and bleaches

• Preservatives such as methylchloroisothiazolinone or methylisothiazolinones (Kathon CG), methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN) and quaternium-15

• Paraphenylenediamine, which is frequently used in permanent and henna hair dyes [1]

Our clinic has specialists in hair extraction and transplantation, plus we give expert guidance to maintain the health of your hair. With reasonable prices and quality care, we want to make sure that the hair we transfer lasts you a lifetime.

Sources:

[1] Aleid, Nouf M., et al. “Common Allergens Identified Based on Patch Test Results in Patients with Suspected Contact Dermatitis of the Scalp.” Skin Appendage Disorders, vol. 3, no. 1, 17 Dec. 2016, pp. 7–14., doi:10.1159/000453530.

What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant may sound like a scary medical procedure. It requires healing and discomfort, but hair transplants are nothing to be afraid of. Nobody can help when or if their hair thins or ultimately falls out. There is no reason to feel insecure about the loss of hair, but many people do. Luckily, hair loss doesn’t have to be permanent and hair transplants exist to help those who suffer from hair loss.

What is the process of a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgery that fills in an area with thin or no hair. This surgery has existed since the 1950s, but the process has become more advanced since then. The procedure requires a few steps:

• The surgeon will clean your scalp and numb your scalp to limit any discomfort.

• Your doctor will choose one of the two methods for hair transplants which are follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). 

• When using FUSS the surgeon removes a portion of your scalp and sews the scalp closed. The surgeon divides the removed scalp into 500 to 2000 grafts with individual or a few hairs. 

• When using FUE the surgeon will shave the back of your scalp and remove hair follicles. Then the surgeon grafts hair onto your scalp.

• The process can take between four and eight hours.

 

This process may seem a bit intimidating, but the payoff of no longer struggling with hair loss is worth it for many people. If you are interested you should speak with a doctor about your expectations and reservations. [1]

How do you recover from a hair transplant?

People recover differently from hair transplants. This can depend on the length and how complex the procedure was. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate most of the pain and discomfort you may feel during the recovery process. You can gently wash your hair two days after the procedure. Stitches will be removed between a week and ten days after the procedure. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about three weeks after surgery. Many people feel they can go back to work and normal life a few days after the surgery. Often the new hair will fall out six weeks after surgery, but this is part of the growth process. Some people may need a surgical touch-up after the procedure, but this will be an easier procedure. [2]

Who are good candidates for hair transplants?

 

There are some factors that make someone a good candidate for a hair transplant. Some of these factors are:

• Men who have lost hair due to male patterned baldness for more than five years.

• People who understand that it is possible for hair loss to continue after surgery.

• People who have been balding for many years and their balding has stabilized. 

• People who have lost hair from trauma or burns.

• People who have lost hair due to another cosmetic procedure. [3]

 

It is important to speak with a doctor about your history of hair loss before the procedure. Not everyone will get the results they desire from a hair transplant. It is also important to be realistic about the procedure, you may have amazing results and you may not. Your doctor will do their best to ensure you have good results, but it is hard to predict the body’s response to a hair transplant.

Sources:

[1] https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/hair-transp…

[2] https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/hair-transplantation-…

[3] https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/are-you-can…

Flint, Michigan, suffered from one of the most disturbing cases of water pollution in a developed nation in recent years. The son of LeeAnne Walters had been poisoned from the excessive levels of lead flowing within their tap water, which turned LeeAnne into a furious advocate for immediate systematic action.[1]

For decades, attention to polluted drinking water and its subsequent health effects has been studied but primarily with regard to developing nations like India, which to this day still has one of the most polluted rivers in the world, the Ganges. Yet, the story of Mrs. Walters and Flint is a prime example of how heavy metal pollution may occur in places you wouldn’t necessarily expect and how it can have serious implications for your central nervous function, cardiovascular and gastro intestinal systems, lungs, kidneys, liver, endocrine glands and bones.[2]

Shockingly, even hair loss is on the list.

 

The toxic substances 

Increased industrialization, technological development, growing human populations and over-exploitation of natural resources, agricultural and domestic waste run-off all have contributed to toxic water contamination. Heavy metals are one of the worst contaminants because they tend to accumulate in organisms and, so, the concentration of these metals may accumulate at higher concentrations as you follow the food chain upwards. Even those whom have no occupational exposure risk are susceptible due to indirect exposure from your food, beverages and air.[3]

Most of us understand that paint and electrical waste require a special method of disposal and shouldn’t be dumped into our everyday trash load. However, not everyone follows guidelines and there might still be trash backlogged and leaching toxic contaminants from years past when landfills hadn’t improved containment systems. Even then, many households still source local groundwater that is notoriously understudied with respect to local pollutants.[4]

Nearly 42 million people alone in the United States source their water from private wells and are, hopefully, using the best filters around to safeguard their households from toxic exposure to heavy metals.[5] If not, it could cause a lot of distress.

 

 

Which contaminants specifically cause hair loss?

Numerous studies were conducted in the 70s and these established a relationship between nickel exposure and dermal irritation, like eczema, but they also found a surprising connection to hair loss.[6] In addition to this, researchers from South Korea found evidence back in 2019 that exposure to common air pollutants reduced the levels of four proteins responsible for hair growth and hair retention, beta-catenin, cyclin D1, cyclin E and CDK2.[7]

So, whether you are living in the city and going bald because of poor air quality or you are living in the country side with questionable water quality, it might be reasonable to assess how much pollution could be a contributing factor to your hair loss.

Good news is though that lifestyle choices, good infrastructure and simple dietary measures can help limit the effects of these pollutants.

 

Are you determined to save the head of hair that you enjoy so much, or hope to restore thinning patches? At our facility, we assess everyone uniquely and create a plan catered to your needs. We are proud of our reasonable prices and quality service. Check us out today.

 

 

 

[1] Gliha, Lori Jane, and Sameen Amin. “Meet the Flint Woman Who Blew the Whistle on the City’s Water Crisis.” Al Jazeera America, Al Jazeera America LLC, 27 Jan. 2016, america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2016/1/27/flint-woman-whistleblower-water-crisis.html.

[2] Sankhla, Mahipal Singh, et al. “Heavy Metals Contamination in Water and Their Hazardous Effect on Human Health-A Review.” SSRN Electronic Journal, vol. 5, no. 10, 22 Sept. 2016, pp. 759–766., doi:10.2139/ssrn.3428216.

[3] Mandour, R. A. “Human Health Impacts of Drinking Water (Surface and Ground) Pollution Dakahlyia Governorate, Egypt.” Applied Water Science, vol. 2, no. 3, 24 May 2012, pp. 157–163., doi:10.1007/s13201-012-0041-6.

[4] Pecci, Kirstie. “All Landfills Leak, and Our Health and Environment Pay the Toxic Price.” CLF, Conservation Law Foundation, 23 July 2018, www.clf.org/blog/all-landfills-leak-and-our-health-and-environment-pay-t….

[5] “What Is the Best Water Filtration System for Well Water?” FilterSmart, FilterSmart.com, 6 July 2019, filtersmart.com/blog/the-best-water-filtration-system-for-well-water/.

[6] Sankhla, et al., Ibid.

[7] Stubley, Peter. “Air Pollution Causes Hair Loss, Research Suggests.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media Ltd., 9 Oct. 2019, www.independent.co.uk/news/science/air-pollution-hair-loss-study-scalp-g….

 

Hair loss has many different causes, such as genetics, state of health, lifestyle habits and long-term stress, and any combination of these factors will certainly lead to male and female-pattern baldness. Here is a recap of the most common reasons why a person may experience loss of hair or thinning hair density, plus, what you can do about it.

 

What causes permanent hair loss?
 

Most cases of thinning hair occur in men and may be attributed to what is known as androgenetic alopecia, which causes the hair shaft itself to shrink and hair to lose density. It is a type of hormone-induced baldness that typically causes a man’s hairline to recede at the temples but, for women, the symptoms involve a widened central hairline and possibly even coarse hair on the face. Some types of hair loss can start as early as in your teenage years, however, or occur with the onset of a disease like hypothyroidism, lupus or polycystic ovary syndrome (POSC). Medications can also cause hair thinning due to side-effects and, on some occasions, over styling or repetitively touching or pulling on hair may cause lasting damage.[1] 

 

Medicinal treatment
 

Thinning hair will lead to permanent baldness if left neglected and, with a history of alopecia in the family, it may have already started to worry you early in life as this type of hair loss can start prematurely in your late teens. Taking over-the-counter medications like minoxidil or oral prescriptions like finasteride will maintain hair health or at least sustain it from losing any more density.[2] However, to regain hair or re-establish a youthful head of hair, just taking medications may not be enough over the years.

 

Hair transplant treatment
 

The most modern form of hair loss treatment on the market is minimally invasive and requires only a local anesthesia. While most commonly applicable to male-pattern baldness, treatment can fill in scarred patches on the head, eyebrows, beard or even restore eyelashes. A hair transplant procedure involving the most up-to-date SmartGraft® and ARTAS® robotic technology should last up to 7 hours, tallying up to only a day in the clinic. A doctor programs what will be the recipient area and the robot then calculates what distances should be kept between hair follicles as it transplants them. The extraction tool keeps grafts moistened and temperature controlled all while operating at a pace and with such microscopic precision that no doctor could ever match. As a hands-off and scalpel-free procedure, the fast recovery and improved look makes it worthwhile.

 

Platelet-rich plasma treatment

By the age of sixty, nearly half of all men and a third of women develop alopecia. Due to a limited number of effective treatments for balding and thinning hair, the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) as an alternative therapy has recently grown traction. This is because the alpha granules of your platelets can stimulate stem cells in the bulge area of a hair follicle to regrow follicles and vascularize simultaneously. While the treatment seems incredibly promising, establishing a standardized method of evaluating results is still underway.[3]

Looking forward to developments in this field? We are too! That is why our clinic has implemented only the latest and most effective technology into our treatment plans.

 

 

Sources:

[1] Gardner , Amanda. “21 Causes of Hair Loss—And What You Can Do About It.” Health, Meredith Health Group, 23 Oct. 2019, www.health.com/beauty/21-causes-of-hair-loss-and-what-you-can-do-about-it.

[2] Feinstein, Robert P, and David F Butle. “Androgenetic Alopecia.” Medscape, WebMD LLC, 5 Mar. 2020, emedicine.medscape.com/article/1070167-overview.

[3] Stevens, J., and S. Khetarpal. “Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature and Proposed Treatment Protocol.” International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, vol. 5, no. 1, Feb. 2019, pp. 46–51., doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.08.004.

 

Understand the components that make up the hair shaft

Every hair shaft originating from a mammal comes with three main components, the cuticle, cortex and medulla. As we grow older the central component of our hair, the medulla, grows stronger and thicker, to explain the central difference in texture between the hair of a baby versus that of an adult. If you deal with split ends, chances are that this inner medulla core has weakened. 

The majority component of all hair is encapsulated in the cortex, which is formed by cells that contain protein and melanin granules. Each one of these cells is a complex matrix of spindle-shaped fibrous structures, crystalline protein and filaments that coil together to make a crystalized bond we call keratin.

Imagine now the scales of a pangolin or the shingles on a roof. The cuticle offers a hair protection in much of the same way that shingles protect the inner part of a house from rain. The cuticle is chemically resistant and built up with about five layers of keratinocyte scales. For some ethnicities where thicker hair is a dominant feature, there are more than five layers and, in others, even less than five. Having fewer layers in the cuticle unfortunately leads to breakage-prone hair.

It is well understood that hair straightening breaks the natural keratin structure of hair, while high pH product and chemical use may splinter or crack the cuticle sheath of your hair. This is why it is so important to find a hair stylist that carefully follows product guidelines and handles hair gently after exposing it to chemical treatments.

 

 

Notice how your skin and hair reacts to your shampoo

Most shampoos on the market are unfortunately composed of nearly 30 ingredients, which can overwhelm someone if they wish to compare brands or products based on those ingredient lists. However, it may help to remember that these lists comprise of only four categories: cleansing agents, stabilizers or additives, conditioning agents and special care ingredients. These ingredients either:

1. Cleans the hair of dirt, product and sebum buildup

2. Improve the stability or overall ease of use of the product

3. Increase softness, gloss and decrease the amount of tangled or flyaway hairs 

4. Limit dandruff and greasy scalp issues

If your shampoo has an inadequate formula best fit for your hair, it can lead to attrition, aggravation and an overall breakdown of the protein within your hair. Although shampoos are generally considered safe products, some of them may cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. Common allergens in shampoos include:

• cocamidopropyl betaine

• methylchloroisothiazolinone

• propylene glycol

• vitamin E (tocopherol)

• parabens

• benzophenones

• formaldehyde-releasing preservatives such as imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea

Signs of an allergic reaction, even if mild, include itchiness, dryness, redness, bumps or tenderness in the areas that come into contact with your shampoo.

 

Mineral and vegetable oils can help sustain healthy hair

The repeated hydration, swelling and drying of hair can damage it over time. The technical term for this is actually called hygral fatigue. So, if you shower often and/or are an avid swimmer, know that a little oil coverage can actually fill in the gaps between the cuticle layers to reduce the damaging effect of repeated washings and overpenetration of shampoo surfactants.[1]

Our clinic has specialists in hair extraction and transplantation, plus we give expert guidance to maintain the health of your hair. With reasonable prices and quality care, we want to make sure that you leave as a happy customer.

 

[1] Dias, Maria Fernandareis Gavazzoni. “Hair Cosmetics: An Overview.” International Journal of Trichology, vol. 7, no. 1, 2015, pp. 2–15., doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450.

 

Hair loss has many different causes such as genetics, state of health, long-term stress and lifestyle habits. Any combination of these factors will certainly lead to male and female-pattern baldness but you can do your part to counter the hereditary factor contributing to your thinning hair. Here are some helpful quick tips on habits you can begin to adopt in order to save a few strands up there in the long run. 

 

Know your limits when washing and styling

Any hairstyle that restricts the movement of hair or binds it tightly can damage either the shaft of the hair, bend the roots and tug at the bulb and follicle below the skin. Twists, braids, buns and ponytails can all be very damaging to your hair if kept too long or styled too frequently. Avoid or put off the use of hot rollers, irons, oil treatments and chemical dying for only special occasions, if you cannot live without them, and only rely on a trained professional.[1] 

 

Use gentle movements when washing your hair, lather up with lukewarm water and, then, spray cold water over the area at the end to provide a number of benefits to your scalp. The top reasons why to rinse with cold water are:

 

• It closes up the pore thus strengthening and decreasing its overall vulnerability

• It protects the pore from collecting dirt, grease and oil

• It will limit over shedding [2]

 

 

Challenge yourself to learn at least one new nutritious meal

Adding a new whole food or raw meal to your weekly diet will introduce more vitamins and minerals to your body than you had previously. A food diary or sticky notes listing what you ate recently may seem silly, but this simple habit could reveal a lot of information in a short period of time. Ask yourself what could be healthy, what you would like to try and experiment in the kitchen a couple times to adopt your favorite new breakfast, lunch or dinner item into your life. If you suspect that you may be lacking in certain vitamins or minerals (particularly iron or zinc) a quick blood test will also confirm or reveal what you need to add into your diet. 

 

Managing stress through breathwork

Lucas Rockwood has a great TEDx talk available on YouTube to learn a little more about what he calls “water, whiskey and coffee breathing”.  He is the founder of Absolute Yoga Academy, which is one of the top yoga training academies in the world. Breathwork is useful for professional singers, musicians, actors and yogis alike but, just like eating and sleeping, breathing is a common necessity that we need to function. If you simply learn how to rebalance yourself when feeling stress by breathing out for a count of four, and in over the count of four, this will do wonders for your mental and physical health.[3]

Looking forward to developments in this field? We are too! That is why our clinic has implemented only the latest and most effective technology into our treatment plans for hair loss.

 

[1] Torgerson, Cory. “5 Healthy Habits to Reduce Hair Loss: The Importance of Changing a Lifestyle.” Toronto Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Centre, Dr. Cory Torgerson, 3 Oct. 2019, drtorgerson.com/hair-transplant-toronto/5-healthy-habits-to-reduce-hair-loss/.

[2] The Right Temperature for Washing Hair: Hot or Cold?, www.haircaremanual.com/washing-hair/right-temperature-for-washing-hair-h….

[3] “Change Your Breath, Change Your Life.” Performance by Lucas Rockwood, Barcelona, TEDx Talks, 10 Dec. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QTJOAI0UoU.

 

The Early Modern Period

 

Back in the mid-1500s, a bacterial infection spread across Europe causing open sores, rashes, blindness, dementia and hair loss. This bacterial infection is known today at syphilis. At the time, the link between baldness and syphilis had grown so intertwined that the sight of hair loss would cause great public embarrassment. This is why for nearly two centuries the powdered wig, periwig and peruke, in ribbon and curl, full bottom and a foretop, became all the rage.[1] 

 

Today

 

We might not necessarily equate a full head of hair to wealth, stature or need it to maintain a patriarchal appearance like in centuries past, however, today we value a full and thick head of hair to maintain a more youthful look. Hair loss has many different causes aside from diseases like syphilis. Your state of nutrition, stress hormone levels, lifestyle habits and genetic predisposition will all contribute to male and female-pattern baldness. Not to fret! Shears and a ball cap don’t have to be our only modern solutions to hair loss. 

 

Advancements in robotic technology have made it possible to offer an efficient treatment that redistributes hair while causing minimal damage to follicles. The extraction tool actually maintains an ideal temperature and moisture level automatically in order to achieve great retention results, because follicles are too sensitive and too plentiful to be handled by hand.

 

 

Famous hair transplants of the past decade

 

The professional English footballer, Wayne Rooney shared news of his hair transplant procedures back in 2011 when he comically announced to his fans that he had a bad case of premature balding at 25. Even years later, it remains evident that the typical look that presents itself with male-pattern baldness had been well adjusted for Wayne so that he wouldn’t see a receding hairline.

 

Calum Best, the British-American TV personality, underwent hair transplantation multiple times since 2015 when he appearing on Celebrity Big Brother. He claimed to have been losing hair since his early twenties and knew that the procedure would change his life. He first corrected a receding hairline and then fixed up a later balding patch in 2018.

 

Another celebrity well known for his hair, the caring and opinionated TV chef Gordon Ramsay also underwent follicular transplantation back in 2011 and has undergone extra procedures to keep his appearance up for the cameras. Sporting such a shaggy look might make it hard to tell the difference but he certainly thickened up the view from the front.[2]

 

What else can help hair loss?

 

General advice to help maintain health of hair includes:

• Get a check-up to determine the cause of your hair loss

• Rinsing conditioned hair with cold water to retain moisture and reduce excess shedding and breakage[3]

• Take vitamins and drink mineral water to regain nutrients you know that you lack

• Meditate or learn a breathwork routine to decrease mental stress

• Skip or limit heavy styling that could pull or tug at hair follicles

We understand the value of hair at our clinic. This is why we have implemented only the latest and most effective technology into our treatment plans for hair loss. Schedule a consultation with us today to get started.

 

Sources:

[1] Reilly, Lucas. “Why Did People Wear Powdered Wigs?” Mental Floss, Minute Media, 29 June 2012, www.mentalfloss.com/article/31056/why-did-people-wear-powdered-wigs.

[2] “Celebrity Hair Transplants: Joe Swash, Wayne Rooney, Louis Walsh & More.” HELLO!, Hello Ltd., 15 July 2020, www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/hair/2020071593496/celebrity-hair-….

[3] Viviscal Hair Expert. “Can Hot Water Cause Hair Loss?” Viviscal Advanced Hair Health, Viviscal Limited, 3 Aug. 2017, blog.viviscal.com/can-hot-water-cause-hair-loss/.

Alopecia, more commonly known as hair loss, is a medical condition that disrupts and reduces the production of hair follicles on the body. The most common area for alopecia is the scalp, which on average can hold around 100,000 hairs that goes through a continuous cycle of growing, resting, falling out, and regenerating.

An individual’s hair cycle and growth can be affected by a wide range of factors including genetics, age, sex, medical behaviors, and behavioral conditions. Alopecia can be defined and categorized into different types depending on these factors. 

 

Androgenic Alopecia

Typically referred to as male or female pattern baldness, androgenic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss that affects men and women around the world. In men, this type of hair loss is triggered by the hair follicle’s sensitivity to a by-product of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT, which affect the hair’s natural health cycle. Male pattern baldness is usually distinctive in that hair starts receding from the temples into an “M” type shape on the head.

 

 

In females, female pattern baldness is usually a result of natural aging but it can also be caused by an underlying endocrine condition or a hormone secreting tumor. However, unlike men, when women experience this type of hair loss, their hair thins out all over the head instead of targeting specific areas of the scalp.

 

Alopecia Areata

This type of hair loss is trigger by an autoimmune condition that attacks healthy tissues including hair follicles and causes hair to fall out but not regenerate. Alopecia areata can affect adults and children and the onset of this condition can start without prior warning. People who experience this condition usually see hair from the scalp fall out in small patches and the condition can extend to the eyebrows and eyelashes though there is no pain when the hair falls out. 

 

Traction Alopecia

This type of hair loss differs from androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata in that it is a condition that is preventable and not trigger by genetic or immune conditions. Traction alopecia is a result of tight hairstyles that put strain on an individual’s hair follicles by pulling them out, which can eventually lead to damaging and destroying them. 

 

 

People who wear their hair in braids, dreadlocks or tight ponytails are more likely to experience this condition along with people who constantly wear tight headgear such as bicycle helmets and people who subject their hair to styles and treatments such as hair extensions and chemical relaxers. It is important to note that traction alopecia can occur in any area of the body where hair follicles are subjected to strain and constant pulling – this can include the eyebrow and beard areas.

 

In conclusion, people around the world experience hair loss due to factors such as genetics, medical conditions or lifestyle choices; and depending on the type of hair loss they have, it may or may not be preventable. 

 

Sources:

[1] ‘Types of Hair Loss’, in NYU Langone Health, viewed on September 30, 2020, https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hair-loss/types

[1] ibid

[1] ibid

[1] ‘Can I Stop Hair Loss?’, in keeps.com, viewed on September 30, 2020, https://www.keeps.com/learn/can-i-stop-hair-loss

[1] ‘Why Is Hair Loss More Common in Men Than Women?’, in Wimpole Clinic, viewed on September 30, 2020, https://wimpoleclinic.com/blog/why-is-hair-loss-more-common-in-men-than-women/

[1] op. cit, https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hair-loss/types

[1] Watson, Stephanie, medically reviewed by Taylor, Sarah, M.D., updated August 30^th, 2018, viewed on September 30, 2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/female-pattern-baldness

[1] op. cit, https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hair-loss/types

[1] ibid

[1] ibid

[1] ‘Traction Alopecia (hair loss), in Alopecia UK, viewed on September 30, 2020, https://www.alopecia.org.uk/traction-alopecia-hair-loss

[1] ibid

[1] ibid

[1] ibid

 

Hair loss or baldness is defined

as losing hair from a part of the body though the term is most commonly used for when hair is lost from the head.[1] Medically known as alopecia, the etymology of this term can be traced back to the Classical Greek alōpēx, which means fox.[2] There are two theories on why this Classical Greek word came to be associated with hair loss: 1) because foxes shed their coats twice a year; or 2) because during Ancient Greek times, foxes were susceptible to mange, a skin condition that would cause animals to lose their hair.[3]

 

Men and women both experience hair loss

sometime in their lives and it not uncommon to lose around 100 hair follicles a day.[4] However, studies have implied that men are more likely to experience hair loss than women – around 4 out 5 men experience some form of hair loss by the time they reach 70 years of age.[5] Hair loss can be temporary or permanent and is caused by a wide range of factors such as genetics, aging, hormonal imbalances and medical conditions.[6]

 

In men, around 95% of hair loss is a result

of male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia, which is a genetically inherited medical condition. A distinctive pattern of male pattern baldness starts with hair loss at the temples that gradually recedes back until it forms the typical “M” shape on a male’s head.[7] Hair is also typically lost around the crown area and it occurs because the condition, androgenic alopecia encourages activity of hair follicles’ androgen receptors, which when responding to these upticks of androgens like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes hair follicles to dwindle.[8] Due to the fact that men’s bodies product testosterone all their lives, it makes them more genetically predispositioned to hair loss than women – around 70% of men to 40% of women.[9]

 

 

Symptoms of hair loss in men can take on many forms,

with the aforementioned male pattern baldness being the most common example. However, some men may also experience circular patchy bald spots, which unlike male pattern baldness’s uniform recession, can appear in random areas on the head.[10] A sign of impending hair loss includes itchy or irritated skin and in some severe cases, hair loss may extend from the scalp to the eyebrows and/or beard areas.[11]

While male pattern baldness is inevitable and unpreventable, men can minimize preventable hair loss by taking care of the current head of hair that they have by being gentle with their hair. To do this, one should invest in a detangler brush and/or wide-tooth comb, which helps to prevent tugging when[12] brushing hair. Male individuals can also limit the amount of harsh hair treatments, hair styles, and hair products to help preserve the hair that they have.

 

In conclusion, men are most likely to experience permanent hair loss due to a genetic disposition known as androgenic alopecia. This is caused by the fact that men’s bodies continuously product testosterone throughout their lives, which makes this medical condition unpreventable. However, men can minimize preventable hair loss by gently brushing and styling their hair with the correct tools and taking care not to subject their hair follicles to too many chemicals and hard treatments and hair styles.