hair loss women

Copyright 2006 Mary Desaulniers

It wasn't until his mid-fifties that my father started losing his hair. I remember the boxes of lotions
creams
heating massage pads that kept coming to his house (much to my stepmother's chagrin). But his hairline kept receding and a decade later
only a well-greased tuft remained on the crown of his head.

Genetics had a lot to do with his situation. My older brother
almost 60 now
is showing the same pattern of thinning hair. But
unlike my father
he has a lot more treatment options at his disposal.

Causes for hair loss can run the gamut from genetics
medical treatments like chemotherapy
skin eczema or allergies
excessive stress
poor nutrition
hormonal changes like menopause and "andropause"
under-active thyroid
immune disorders to trichotillomania
a psychological disorder in which people are compelled to pull out their hair. A study in England has also shown a direct connection between smoking and hair loss. It also showed that smokers were 4 times more likely to have gray hair than non-smokers.

Some conditions can be treated medically through drugs like minoxidil and corticosteroids. Others might require something more drastic
like follicular hair transplant
a form of surgical hair restoration that does provide lasting benefits. The cost
however
can be prohibitive.

But for us normal folks in our 30's
40
even 50's
who are just starting to notice our thinning hair
what preventative measures or supplementation can we take to minimize hair loss?

Because healthy hair is dependent on the health of the scalp (hair requires a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich blood to nourish the hair follicles in the scalp) it makes sense that eating nutritionally balanced meals will promote healthy follicles and healthy hair growth. In a recent interview
Dr. Shari Lieberman Ph.D CNS
a nutrition scientist and exercise physiologist at the University of Bridgeport
CT
claims that crash diets have been responsible for many cases of hair loss: "I'm seeing a lot of women not eating enough protein. A lot of them are eating vegetables; they're eating carbs. They've really gone off a lot of protein and sometimes I'll see hair loss in women for that."

There is no doubt that a daily diet rich in protein
good carbs and essential fats is important for hair health. Hair is very sensitive to vitamin or mineral imbalances in the body. A flaky scalp can be caused by too little vitamin A; however
too much vitamin A can also bring about hair loss. Supplements
when taken on a consistent basis
at the average or standard dosage suggested below or at a dosage recommended by your physician
can be a strong deterrent to premature hair loss. Consider the following:

a) Evening Primrose Oil and Flaxseed Oil. Both of these are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for strong
healthy hair. Evening primrose oil contains a special fat called gamma-linolenic acid( GLA) which the body converts to hormonelike compounds called prostaglandins. The GLA in evening primrose oil is directly converted to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins which are effective against eczema and skin allergies. Taking evening primrose oil (1000mg 3 times a day) will prevent hair loss that is caused by excess flaking and shedding of skin on the scalp.

b) Flaxseed Oil (14 g a day) provides substances called lignans which may help fight cancer
bacteria
viruses and fungi. Flaxseed oil boosts the health of hair and nail and speeds the healing of scalp lesions that may contribute to hair loss. A recent study involving 10 men between the ages of 20 and 70 in varying stages of male pattern baldness ( AGA) showed that 8 of the subjects reported modest improvement of their hair loss condition
one reported much improvement and one subject reported no effect. Throughout the study
the daily numbers of hair loss decreased and 50 percent of the subjects noticed a decrease in oil secretion in their scalp.

c) Zinc (30mg) can boost thyroid function and reduce hair loss that comes from an underactive thyroid. Zinc must be taken with its companion Copper (2 mg a day) in order to maintain proper mineral balance in the body. Copper also contains melanin
the pigment that colors hair and skin and can help reverse or delay premature graying. Zinc can also affect the levels of androgens
the hormones involved in some form of genetic hair loss.

d) Biotin (1000 mcg a day) and Vitamin B-50 Complex (1 tablet twice a day) can also reduce the oiliness and flakiness of the scalp and strengthen the condition of the hair.

Other preventative procedures could include a weekly scalp massage to stimulate blood flow and reduce stress which can contribute to hair loss
wearing a hat to protect hair and scalp from sun damage and avoiding abrasive hair treatment like permanents or coloring.

Billions of dollars will be spent on hair loss solutions this year. Much of this money will go to waste. Ineffective products and misleading advertising are only partially to blame. Many consumers are not using these hair loss products in an effective way. Fortunately there are a few simple ways that consumers can increase their chance of success. Following these guidelines will ensure that your money does not go to waste:

Start a Journal

People usually try several different hair loss products before they find something that works for them. Many use two or more products simultaneously. Keeping track of all this information can be frustrating and difficult. The best way to figure out what is working is to keep a journal detailing your progress. You should record all relevant information about the treatment process: when you started
the dosage
cost
and any side effects you experience. This documentation will tell you which products are effective
which ones are not
and allow you to make changes as you see fit.

Take Pictures

Noticing small changes in your hairline over time is extremely difficult. Taking pictures on a regular basis is the most effective ways to track your progress. Always photograph your head from the same angle
in similar lighting conditions. Use a digital camera for best results
most will automatically record the date and time for you. When combined with a treatment journal
these photos provide an invaluable tool that will allow you to judge the effectiveness of products you use.

Do Your Homework

The Internet is flooded with products claiming to cure and treat hair loss. Finding out which ones are legitimate can be a difficult task. When researching products online
beware of those that sound too good to be true. If the company has before and after pictures
examine them closely. If the images were shot from different angles
or in different lighting
be suspicious. These techniques are common camera tricks used to fool the eye
and the consumer. When a company claims their product has a "98% success rate"
look for documentation of their clinical study. If the clinical information they provide is vague
or even missing altogether
be wary.

If you follow these steps during your treatment
your chances of success are excellent. One last tip - any successful regimen requires dedication. Whatever the treatment is
carefully follow the instructions from your doctor or the product manufacturer.

There are roughly 80 million men and women in the world suffering from hair loss. In humans
it is caused by a number of different factors. Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss and is estimated to affect 90 percent of men by age 50. That said
pattern baldness (or natural hair loss) isn’t specific to men; women suffer from female pattern baldness as well.

WHY PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HAIR
Male pattern baldness (clinically known as androgenetic alopecia) is the most common reason for hair loss. It’s related to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
a naturally occurring hormone present in all men. DHT has a detrimental affect on the hair follicles. It slows down hair production and causes new hairs to be shorter and weaker than usual. The hormone can even completely stop hair growth
gradually depleting your stock of hair. There are a number of other reasons why people go bald
including other forms of alopecia
the treatment of terminal illnesses and diet
just to name a few. Surgical hair loss treatments like Bosley are most commonly used to regrow hair loss caused by male pattern baldness.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HAIR LOSS
By default
men typically blame mom for hair loss
as it was widely understood that hair loss is simply inherited from their mother’s side. This is just one of a number of common hair loss misconceptions:

- Hair loss is inherited from your mother’s father — Not true. Baldness is inherited
but from both your mother's and father's genes.
- Hair loss slows and eventually stops as you age — Not true. Hair loss is a progressive trait that doesn't stop; in fact
it gets worse with age.
- Hats or helmets can cause hair loss — Not true. Wearing something on your head has no effect on hair loss. Although hairpieces and weaves that pull and strain your hair may cause traction alopecia.
- Brushing or massaging the scalp reduces hair loss — There isn't sufficient evidence to conclude that brushing or massaging the scalp prevents or reduces hair loss.
- Too much sun causes hair loss — Not true. Though excessive sun exposure is damaging to your hair
there isn’t evidence to conclude that it causes permanent hair loss.
HAIR LOSS TREATMENT
As previously stated
there are various hair loss treatments
which have been proven to stop hair loss
and in some cases even regrow lost hair. Of the non-surgical hair treatments
Propecia and Minoxidil seem to be effective with a significant number of people. New
alternative methods of laser treatments have also been developed. First
there was the LaserComb
which employs low-level laser light technology to coerce hair follicles to regenerate. The handheld device requires people to spend 20 minutes a day running the comb through their hair. Recently
the technology has been further developed
evolving into a more effective
less intensive treatment. In the new laser treatment
a laser light helmet is used to aim high concentrations of laser light at affected areas of the scalp.

If you
however
have already experienced significant male pattern baldness and are looking to naturally and permanently cover your bald spot
then hair restoration surgery might be your best bet.

HAIR RESTORATION
Over the past century
hair restoration has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries among men and women alike. There’s a plethora of hair restoration surgeons in the United States
many of which provide their patients with stellar results.

Hair restoration surgery involves transplanting hair follicles from the donor areas of the head—typically the back and sides—to the bald or thinning areas. These are called grafts. Each graft can contain between 1 to 4 hairs. Because the donor hairs are from areas of the head that are not prone to balding
they are considered permanent when transplanted to balding areas
such as the scalp. The result is often a permanent
natural looking head of hair.

BattleAgainstBald.com follows real hair restoration patients as they restore their natural hairlines with Bosley procedures. Torrance and Seth are the Battle Against Bald’s Bosley patients and in addition to their weekly entries detailing the updates of their Bosley procedures
the blog provides a wealth of comprehensive information on hair loss
its causes and the methods used to combat it.

It has been nine months since Seth’s Bosley hair restoration and it’s official
he has more hair. Seth wanted to improve the appearance of his hair and restore a more youthful hairline
which he was able to achieve through just one Bosley procedure. Most hair restoration patients don’t start to see results until 3-5 months after the procedure. It has been four months since Torrance’s Bosley procedure and he’s beginning to see signs of hair after years of male pattern baldness.
Battle Against Bald is a blog that is sponsored by Bosley that speaks to those who are struggling with hair loss and are interested in hair restoration.

~Ben Anton
2007

Men and hair loss seems always to have been a losing combination. Although male pattern hair loss is very common—two out of three men will experience it—and is hardly ever associated with serious health risks
it’s hard to imagine a common condition that is met with more anxiety. But much of the stigma surrounding male hair loss is due to half-truths and exaggerations. So if you start noticing there’s not as much hair up there
don’t pull out the rest of it in worry—take our quiz below and learn what’s going on with your body and how you can slow the follicle fallout.

If you’re losing hair
it’s male pattern baldness.

False. It’s true that for 95 percent of men who lose their hair
male pattern baldness
or androgenetic alopecia
is the culprit. With this condition
an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
a hormone that causes hair follicles to shut down hair production. Male pattern baldness can begin appearing in men in their 20s and usually progresses slowly from the front or apex of the scalp
or both.

But male pattern baldness is not the only cause of male hair loss—and it’s important to talk to your physician or dermatologist to determine the cause
because it can point to certain health problems. For example
if your hair is falling out quickly and in small patches
it may be a sign of alopecia areata
an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the hair. Stress can also lead to rapid hair loss. In these cases
the hair usually regrows after several months. Other causes include a severe ailment or major surgery; protein
vitamin B
or iron deficiencies; medication complications; or thyroid disease.

It’s your mother’s fault.

False. Male pattern baldness is a largely genetic characteristic that can be inherited from either your mother or your father. It’s even possible to acquire the hair-loss gene from both parents. In fact
the same gene also causes hair loss in women
although because of hormonal differences
women tend to lose their hair in small amounts all over their scalp.

There’s hope.

True. Here’s the good news: In many cases
male pattern baldness can be treated. In the early stages
many conventional physicians prescribe either minoxidil lotion
applied topically
or finasteride
taken orally. These medications have been shown to slow hair loss in many patients and
in some cases
cause hair to grow back. According to Robert Brodell
MD
professor of internal medicine in the dermatology section at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
complications associated with both drugs are minimal
but there are downsides. Not only are the medications expensive
but they only work for as long as you take them. “I tell my patients that they are going to be on one of those medicines for 5 years or 10 years or 15 years
until they are married and have kids and don’t care anymore
” says Brodell. “And then when they stop their medicine
we fully expect them to start losing their hair again.” Great strides are being made in the field of hair transplants
but like any invasive therapy
these procedures are expensive and time-consuming and should not be undertaken lightly.

If surgery or drug therapies aren’t for you
a number of naturopathic remedies might offer similar results—without the high cost. Keith F. Zeitlin
ND
a naturopathic physician with a private practice in Connecticut
recommends the herbs saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica)
and the supplement beta-sitosterol
which all appear to work similarly to conventional medicines by shutting down the enzyme 5-alpha reductase’s creation of dihydrotestosterone
the hormone that ceases hair production. “If we can inhibit that enzyme
we can actually inhibit hair loss
” says Zeitlin. (For more information
see “Herbs and Supplements for Hair Loss
” below.)

Another option is mesotherapy
a treatment in which very short needles are used to inject homeopathic remedies; vitamins such as biotin; or conventional medicines such as minoxidil just underneath the surface of the scalp. “The skin is used as a natural time-release system
” says practitioner Harry Adelson
ND
a Utah-based pain-medicine specialist. “Whatever it is you are injecting remains in the area for up to a week and continually penetrates down into the deeper tissue.”

You can live a hair-healthy lifestyle.

True. Although there’s no apparent validity to the old wives’ tales that sexual activity or excessive hat wearing can cause hair loss
other lifestyle choices may indeed hurt your hair. In fact
it might make more sense to keep that hat on; a study conducted at the University Hospital of Zurich in Switzerland proposed that ultraviolet rays from the sun might injure hair follicles (Dermatology
2003
vol. 207
no. 4). How you clean and care for your hair may also be a factor in hair loss. According to the American Academy of Dermatology
too many chemical treatments such as dying
straightening
and bleaching
as well as excessive washing
towel drying
and brushing
may weaken or damage your hair
causing it to break or fall out.

Those worried about hair loss should also reevaluate their diets. Zeitlin warns that very large doses of vitamin A can lead to vitamin A toxicity and eventual hair loss. He recommends his patients replace vitamin A-rich foods and saturated fats
which may also encourage hair loss
with green vegetables
whole grains
essential fatty acids
and other foods rich in hair-healthy vitamins and minerals such as zinc. What you drink may also play a role: According to a 2003 study
alcohol consumption may aggravate hair loss (British Journal of Dermatology
2003
vol. 149
no. 6).

Hair loss is a bad thing.

False. Let’s not forget the cheapest
easiest
and safest treatment for male pattern hair loss: doing nothing at all. After all
hair loss is not usually a health concern and
despite what our culture may sometimes suggest
there’s nothing wrong with showing a little skin—on your head
that is. After all
look at Patrick Stewart
Bruce Willis
and Sean Connery. “I certainly wouldn’t recommend that anybody have their male pattern baldness treated who isn’t bothered by it
” says Brodell. “I’m losing my hair
and I’m not using any of these treatments.”