You do not usually end life with the same bunch of hair
that you grew up with when you were born. Unlike the eyes
or nose, your hair keeps regenerating, shedding and
growing.
As you turn older, you start experiencing hair loss. This
natural process of ageing starts when you turn 50. However,
for some people the process starts much earlier. This
article examines the various causes of hair loss in men and
women.
Stress and Lifestyle
The fast and hurried lifestyles of today make many
compromises on your diet. Emotional upheavals can cause
health complications that have an adverse impact on the
quality of your hair. Lack of cleanliness of the scalp and
excessive dandruff problems can also cause hair loss.
Hormonal imbalances
Hair growth and health depends on hormones such as thyroid
and pituitary glands. Any disorders in these glands can
cause hair loss. The excessive presence of a component of
the male hormone - DHT can also cause hair loss. This is a
genetic predisposition.
Genetic factors
Inherited causes of hair loss effect the unlucky that have
a family history of premature balding. In men, it is called
Male Pattern Baldness, in which the hair starts receding
first at the temples in a classic 'M' shape. In women, it
is called Female Pattern Baldness. This is less common. It
starts at age 30 and is characterized by overall thinning
of hair.
Side effects
Certain drugs taken for other purposes can cause hair loss
as a side effect. The following is a possible list of
medicines and drugs that could cause hair loss.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs
Ulcer drugs
Anticoagulants
Agents for gout
Drugs derived from Vitamin A
Anticonvulsants taken for epilepsy
Antidepressants
Blood thinners
Anabolic steroids
Chemotherapy Drugs
However, not all prescription drugs under these categories
have hair loss as a side effect. This has to be checked
with the doctor.
Other factors
Research is being continuously conducted on the causes and
solutions for hair loss. Recently, Japanese scientists
concluded from studies that excessive sebum could clog the
hair roots and cause hair loss. An excessive intake of some
nutrients such as Vitamins A and E can actually promote
hair loss.
There is no dearth of solutions, prescriptions and
treatments available for hair loss. Every once in a while,
a new 'wonder' drug such as Rogaine will enter the market.
Not every solution will cure hair loss. The correct
diagnosis has to be made before deciding on a course of
action for hair loss.
Treatments
Millions of the people worldwide suffer from hair loss and
this is the reason why hair loss remedies are a billion
dollar industry (Top 5 Sites) .
The answer to the million-dollar question of how to get
hair back is to know how you lost it in the first place.
You can determine the correct remedy for hair loss only
after you know the exact cause of hair loss.
Get Your Hormones Checked
Specific problems with the hormones such as thyroid and
pituitary is a cause of hair loss. Consult your doctor to
conduct relevant tests and rule out this possibility. If a
hormonal imbalance were the reason for hair loss, the
doctor would recommend a course of appropriate drugs to
solve the problem.
Anti-Androgenic Therapy
Excessive amount of DHT (which is a component of the male
hormone) causes hair loss and baldness. If DHT were the
problem and causing hair loss, the doctor would put you on
drugs that form a part of antiandrogen therapy. In women,
the treatment is called CPA (cyproterone acetate) with
ethinyl-estradiol. The therapy typically lasts for a period
of one year.
Some Wonder Drugs
Over the years, researchers have
invented certain drugs that work very successfully for hair
loss. This includes minoxidil (more popularly known as
Rogaine) and finasteride. However, finasteride is not for
good for hair loss among women.
Keep the Scalp Clean
Clean the scalp of dirt, dandruff and excess oil can help
prevent hair loss.
Hair Transplant
Hair transplant is surgical method to treat hair loss. It
involves operations that extract parts of the scalp from
the sides and back of the head where the hair grows well.
It is then implanted on those regions of the head that are
going bald.
Hair re-growth is possible because the hair follicles in
the side and the back of the head are immune to the hair
loss problems. However, It is an expensive procedure. It
costs approximately $15,000 and takes 1-2 years to
complete.
Hair Weaving
Hair weaving is not a surgical method for hair loss. This
cosmetic procedure attaches extensions of natural or
synthetic hair.
Tissue Expansion
In this procedure, silicone bags are inserted beneath hair-
bearing skin to expand the tissues. This is then
transferred to the areas with a hair loss or baldness.
Other Solutions
Some other solutions camouflage the hair loss or baldness
problem. These include using wigs or toupees and getting a
smart haircut to hide thinning hair or bald patches. For
this process, you need the services of a skilled barber.
