Androgenetic alopecia is regarded as the most typical cause of hair loss. Additionally it is referred to as genetic hair loss; the more common term is male pattern baldness. This kind of hair loss does not discriminate. It impacts approximately 50 million men and 30 million women!
As outlined by dermatologist Dr. Daniel Taheri, 95% of hair loss instances are due to androgenetic alopecia. Sadly, it doesn’t stop at gender. Androgenetic alopecia may start as early as teenage years. Having said that, advanced hair loss is more often found commencing around the age of 40.
Why did this take place? You might want to thank your mom or dad’s side of the family. Or perhaps both As mentioned before, this kind of premature balding is genetic. This gene is handed down from one generation to another.
Does this imply that if your parents are afflicted by androgenetic alopecia that you will eventually be bald? Certainly not. What it entails is that the chances are greater. If you’re lucky, it sometimes skips a generation. What’s promising, though, is the sooner you discover thinning the greater the possibility of successfully treating it.
What does this type of hair loss look like? For men, the hair recession begins at the hairline and temples in the common M shape, More advanced stages appear in the familiar horse-shoe pattern. For others, thinning starts on the vertex. Below is the Norwood Classification Chart for male pattern hair loss. This is a tool used by professionals to measure the level of progression with a. client. As a hair replacement specialist, I’ve learned that one of the biggest concerns of my diems is privacy. This is such a sensitive subject no one wants their “problem” made known. So the Norwood Scale is a good reference rool the professionals use that you, too, can use at home to measure your hair loss. Privately; you can get an idea of what stage you’re at if you have male pattern baldness …
What genes are related to androgenetic alopecia?
The AR gene is associated with androgenetic alopecia.
Many different hereditary and environmental aspects probably are involved in causing androgenetic alopecia. Despite the fact that scientists are researching risk factors that could promote this problem, a large number of variables remain unknown. Scientific study has determined that this kind of hair loss relates to hormones called androgens, especially an androgen called dihydrotestosterone. Androgens are essential for normal male sexual development before birth and through puberty. Androgens also provide other essential features in both males and females, such as regulating hair growth and sex drive.
The AR gene gives guidelines for producing a protein called an androgen receptor. Androgen receptors permit the body to react appropriately to dihydrotestosterone and other androgens. Scientific studies recommend that variations in the AR gene guide to increased activity of androgen receptors in hair follicles. It stays unclear, however, how these hereditary modifications increase the risk of patterned hair loss in men and women with androgenetic alopecia.
Researchers keep on looking into the relationship between androgenetic alopecia and other medical conditions, such as coronary heart disease and prostate cancer in men and polycystic ovary syndrome in women. They feel that a few of these problems may be associated with raised androgen levels, which may assist in explaining why they have a tendency to occur with androgen-related hair loss. Various other hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors that have not been identified also may be involved.This condition tends to cluster in families, however, and having a close relative with patterned hair loss appears to be a risk factor for developing the condition.
Women also can suffer from androgeneric alopecia. The appearance in women is usually slightly different than in men. Thinning is generally diffused over the entire crown of the head instead of one spar. In some cases, hair on [he sides over time may begin to thin. The good news is most women usually do not go completely bald. Consequently, diffusion all over the head makes that woman a bad candidate for hair transplants.
So how do you know if you have androgenetic alopecia? Take a look at your family history and identify the members that have lost their hair. If a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle Of sibling has lost hair, you too may be vulnerable. In women, there is simple technique the professionals use to diagnose hair loss that you can do. Normally when you part your hair, the parting should be very narrow. So you would part your hair in the middle then look at the width of the part. If you see more scalp than normal, then you may be experiencing hair loss. Another basic technique takes a little time but is very telling .. Put your hair in a ponytail and measure the diameter. Do this over time, and if you notice the diameter of the ponytail getting smaller and smaller, you may have a problem.
Some hair loss symptoms include:
• Shedding
• Wider part
• Diffuse thinning in the crown or all over
• Less volume
• Excessively oily scalp
The main culprit is DHT (dihydrorestosrerone). This is the root cause of androgenetic alopecia.
Pattern baldness has a fundamental contributing factor called dihydrotestosterone, typically referred to as DHT. This androgen is a chemical byproduct of the male hormone testosterone. It’s known as the male hormone simply because it is a key component in the improvement of male characteristics such as the deepening of the voice and the growth of facial hair and body hair. Despite the fact that it is called a male hormone, traces of DHT can also be observed in women. You might have observed some women with an unnatural amount of facial hair, like a mild mustache and apparent facial hairs .. These women probably have higher levels of DHT in their system.
Even though men have testosterone, that on it’s own is not what brings about hair loss. DHT is produced when testosterone combines with the enzyme 5 alpha reductase which then binds to an androgen receptor. It’s this transformation to DHT that leads to problems with the hair follicle. The DHT created is identified in the hair fluids oil glands. With substantial amounts of DHT in the blood stream, you are more likely to be influenced by androgeneric alopecia. Men have more testosterone; consequently odds are that you will discover higher levels of DHT in the bloodstream.
DHT is believed to be the culprit in androgenetic hair loss because it causes hair follicles to shrink. What DHT does is literally signals the hair follicles to stop producing new hairs … This signal is not instantaneous but: a process that happens over time. Slowly hair follicles that were genetically inclined to be sensitive to DHT will be affected. As the levels of DHT increases in the blood stream, hair follicles begin to shorten the stages of hair growth.
DHT hair miniaturization process
We’ve discussed the different growth stages, catagen, anagen and telogen, When your hair is operating normally, you will go through the anagen phase (growth stage) for approximately 6 years. It is followed by the relogen stage and finaUy the catagen stage. That’s when hair sheds and then the cycle continues .. What DHT does is signals your hair follicles to shut down the growth cycle. So instead of your growth stage going the normal 5 to 6 years, it begins to decrease to 2 to 4 years. This continues until the DHT affected hair completely goes into the tdogen, or the resting stage.
Men who are genetically affected by DHT are generally sensitive on the crown, the temples and hairline. Using the Norwood Classification Chart, you can see the typical progression of hair loss with androgenetic alopecia. Genetically, the effected hair follicles that were already pre-programmed to be sensitive to DHT will shed in a common pattern..
For women, testosterone is usually not the culprit. The female body produces more estrogen. Estrogen, which is an androgen, usually blocks the effects of DHT. But this defense comes to a screeching halt during and after menopause when estrogen levels decreases at a rapid rate. Once the estrogen levels have weakened in the bloodstream, DHT can promote tremendous loss without much opposition. Shedding in this case could occur at an alarmingly rapid rate .. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but those who have a family history of hair loss may be more susceptible.
Loss of estrogen is nor the only reason women are prone to androgenetic alopecia .. Some of the other reasons are tied to the activities of hormones. For example, when a woman is pregnant her hormones are raging and the imbalance can have an effect. The use of birth control pills that have high androgens also can produce negative side effects. Tumors, ovarian cysts and Thyroids can release androgens causing hormonal imbalances which cause hair loss … In cases like this it is important to consult a physician to know exactly what type of loss you are experiencing. Sometimes it’s only temporary, and you may be able to stop or slow the process.
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Not too long ago, researchers found that the miniaturization of hair follicles has a immediate hormonal pathway with a genetic origin. Regardless of whether you are just experiencing hair thinning or attempting to restore lost hair, understanding the cause and the treatments available can help you make the best decisions.
“Miniaturization” is a word used to describe the progressive thinning of hair. It is synonymous with the genetic condition androgenic alopecia or pattern hair thinning. The New Hair Institute reports that miniaturization a process where hair follicles that are producing healthy hairs begin to produce thinner, shorter, more brittle hairs with weaker shafts. These hairs are less dense and lead to the appearance of hair loss. According to the Foundation of Hair Restoration, androgenic alopecia or genetic miniaturization is responsible for 95 percent of all hair loss cases.
Treatment
There are presently two treatment options authorized by the FDA to the miniaturization of hair follicle from DHT. HairSite says minoxidil is an over-the-counter topical treatment method that has already been utilized since the 1990s to deal with baldness in men and women. It apparently stimulates new hair growth by growing cutaneous blood flow to diminishing hair follicles. The American Hair Loss Association notes finasteride is a doctor prescribed oral treatment for male pattern baldness. It apparently decreases the active levels of DHT in your body to avoid miniaturization of hair follicles.
Solution
Hair loss treatment options can be effective, even curing baldness. In a few instances, only a medical hair restoration procedure can restore density where hair follicles have reduced in size. Hairs are very carefully harvested from areas on the back and edges of the head that are not delicate to miniaturization from DHT. These hairs are then transplanted into spots that are thinning and balding.
Certain medications can also cause hair loss, once you stop the use of a certain medications, your hair should grow back like usual.
Androgenetic alopecia is probably the most widely recognized form of hair loss. Men and women are so used to witnessing this condition that when you inquire for advice from friends and family it would not be surprising if Minoxldil or Propecia is suggested. Despite the fact that these solutions work well for some people who have pattern baldness . It may not be the greatest solution for other types of hair loss … Some tend to be genetically inclined others are disorders, medical side effects or some mysterious causes. You may be surprised which group you may find yourself in.
In addition to explaining the various types of hair loss, I’m detailing a few things that you can do to end or prevent further loss. I’ve furthermore outlined interventions, which provides alternatives that you may request from your doctor or trichclogist, and organic solutions you may use at home. Some options are as simple as altering you hair styling products and techniques.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is an additional type of hair loss that has an effect on millions of people. According to the National Alopecia Arcata Foundation, more than 4 million people are impacted within in the United States. It’s straightforward to listen to that number and pass it over as just a number.
But think about the huge number -4 million! Those figures are definitely incredible. Men, women and children of all ages suffer with alopecia areata, It’s even very common for the beginning stages to occur during childhood years.
This situation is a very challenging one. No one understands for sure the cause or catalyst. In accordance with the National Alopecia Foundation, study indicates that it could be an immune disorder. Researchers have found that for some cause the immune system begins to attack the hair follicle like a foreign enemy in the body. The white blood cells virtually invade the hair follicles. The motive behind the immune system going into attack mode is yet not completely understood. Could it be that the hair follicles in that person has an immune disorder invoking the white blood cells to action? Or is there a virus that is targeting the follicles that your body identifies? No one understands for sure yet. Some other theories are that genetic makeup or stress plays a pan. Scientific studies show that roughly 20 percent of people that have alopecia areata have it in their family history.
Here is what we do know. Alopecia can be temporary because the hair follicles are not destroyed. The hair is still growing but only beneath the skin, and if it does protrude above the skin you’ll appear to have very short hair or to be bald. However, at any point your hair can return to a normal growth cycle, causing your hair to come back. This can happen at anytime because the hair follicles are still alive. This is good news!
The physical appearance of alopecia is recognized by small round patches. Hair comes out in round or irregular shaped patches and could be in one spot or in several spots all over the scalp. Some people experience the loss of only small patches, however there are those who have extreme patches of hair loss. Even though re-growth is possible, it comes with psychological trauma, most people who experience this feel It can be visually disturbing, especially for women and children who statistically are known to be affected the most.
Even more so with children who don’t understand why this is happening to them and why they are different from other children. Knowing first hand that children can be cruel, teasing can be devastating. Sometimes parents opt to use wigs for their children instead of a scarf or hat. Unfortunately, wigs could be a bad idea, too, because children could be rough in handling them. If you have a child who suffers from alopecia, it is a good idea to get involved in a support group. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation is a great starting point. Also, many reputable hair replacement salons offer hair systems to children with hair disorders for free up to the age of 18 (see appendix B for resources).
Although this information sounds very daunting and dismal there is hope. There are some treatments available through a physician. There are cortisone injections and Minoxidil lotions or Anthralin, an ointment, often used for children under ro. For many people these treatments work well re-growing hair In the patchy areas, Unfortunately, these treatments don’t work for everyone. Those that it does help may soon see new patches form, so treatment needs to continue until the follicle is properly stimulated ..
As an alternative, there are many herbal remedies that work very well. In later chapters I offer a list of herbal treatments that are known to be very effective. Phototherapy, better known as laser therapy, also is a good alternative treatment, Studies show that laser therapy can be very effective at stimulating your follicles giving it a “jump start,” regenerating cells and increasing red blood cells, nourishing your hair follicle promoting hair growth ..
While the majority of patients suffer from alopecia areata, there are more extreme variations of this disorder. One is known as alopecia totalis. With this type of alopecia, hair is completely lost all over the scalp. Then there is also alopecia universalis, in which hair loss occurs all over the body and scalp.
It is not recommended that you just get a wig if you suffer from alopecia totalis . If you can afford it, invest in a custom designed system from a hair replacement salon. The difference between a wig and a system is that the latter is custom designed and measured.
See your own head for a perfect fit. Usually you will have the option to have strong adhesives that will attach the system to your head. This gives you a more secure feeling. Aside from having your natural hair or a transplant: this may be the most comfortable realistic looking alternative available. In later chapters, I discuss various solutions to choose from. So don’t get discouraged. Many celebrities, male and female, that have a full head of hair still opt to wear systems for flexibility and style. Do the same thing. Look at it this way: You will have whatever type of hair you always wanted.
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