There are over 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States alone endure hair loss and most of these people are proven to have inherited hair loss from their family. To be exact, there are over 98 percent of men suffering from this condition that are purely caused by genetics and 45-50 percent of women inherit their female genetic baldness. Genetic balding in men displays specific patterns on the head, commonly occurring at the frontal hairline, showing an “M” or a horseshoe shape and a progressive thinning of hair on the crown or top of their head.

Women’s balding extremely differs from men. Women diffuse entirely on the crown area, gradually diminishing the appearance of thick hair on top and hence preserving the hairline. Though, genetics are substantially considered blameful, other causes of hair loss are now propagating in several people. Other causes include medicinal, according to medical experts loss of hair from taking certain medications can result in extensive hair loss. These medications include anabolic steroids, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and birth control pills.

Another cause is stress. Hair loss caused by stress is commonly known as telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss ordinarily results from stresses such as physiological stress. Many have reported that telogen effluvium is just temporary and this occurrence will last for about 2 to 3 months. Loss of hair in telogen effluvium stops when the stresses on the body are alleviated. There’s no need to undergo an array of treatment options to cure telogen effluvium because treatments will be useless as telogen effluvium can potentially correct itself.

Medical scrutiny and examinations have proven that the 5-alpha reductase enzyme can also occur in the scalp of humans, particularly in the hair follicles and somewhere in the skin area wherein it usually scatter or distribute similar reaction as what it does in the prostate. It has been fully evaluated that the turmoil of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme activity in the skin cells can potentially contribute to male and female pattern baldness and can significantly provide a sufficient evidence for such hair loss condition.

The type I and type II 5-alpha reductase enzymes are both active in different regions of the body and are also responsible in producing dihydrotestosterone that can inevitably disperse throughout the body thus erupting effects to other organs. The two different types of 5-alpha reductase enzymes are individually coded by a separate gene which is generated by dissimilar and numerous tissues and the genes for 5-alpha reductase have been extremely outlined to chromosome 5. However, both seem essentially critical in developing Androgenetic alopecia.

Studies show that the first type of 5-alpha reductase is considered to be more prominent as it is predominantly vigorous in the human scalp and hair follicles in a very high aspect. The type I 5-alpha reductase enzyme adequately produces 60 to 70 percent of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the human body while the type II 5-alpha reductase enzyme on the other hand only produces the extra 30 to 40 percent of DHT in the body.

Physiologically, hair grows in a three basic cycles: the growth, shedding and resting phases. The growth phase roughly lasts for two years after which the hair normally sheds off, then hair follicles rest about a couple of months or three before starting the cycle again and then goes on normally in a healthy person. But when the body is undergoing extreme stress, 80 percent of hair can rapidly transform to telogen or resting phase, in which hair sheds out unnoticeably.

In women, crucial circumstances as pregnancy, or which accounts 50 percent in the population, miscarriage, childbirth and even surgery are perceived to influence hair loss in many ways. The abrupt imbalances of hormones and the body’s mechanism directed positively and negatively in the attempt to bring back the body’s balance are causing that internal stress. High levels of emotional stress can considerably contribute to hair loss as well. It is imperative to cope up with the stress immediately before it changes to a far more severe situation than just simple hair thinning.

An individual must consider de-stressing by choosing to relax more often, getting and consuming healthier foods like vegetable, and fruits or simply by acquiring beneficial vitamin supplements and to avoid doing strenuous activities. These things should be done regularly as these wise approaches may help alleviate the risks of stress that can cause hair loss in both men and women.

1.)

The main reason why men lose so much of their hair is due to genetics or hereditary. However, some men can likely lose hair due to environmental factors. The hair follicles of men on the crown area of the scalp are genetically vulnerable to going bald. Over time, these hair follicles are targeted by the hormone dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT binds with the receptor’s site in the vulnerable hair follicles. This entire process slowly decreases the ability of the hair follicles to produce thick healthy hair and the end result is often referred to as “Male Pattern Baldness”. Majority of hair loss sufferers especially men are enduring this type of hair loss which is mainly caused by the ravaging effects of DHT (genetics).

2.) What important thing should be done after determining hair loss is occurring in a man?

A man should seek professional help. Paying a visit or having an appointment with a proficient dermatologist is a very beneficial approach in battling the distressful condition. Dermatologists can accurately diagnose whatever skin problems and hair loss causes, thus they can adequately provide any man who is suffering from hair loss with dynamic and effective treatments and medications.

3.) What are the safe and approved treatments for them?

The first strike of protection would be the use of topical applications or serums. Most topical serums for hair loss contain DHT inhibitors that are certain of blocking further production of DHT in the scalp which causes hair loss in numerous men. An example of such topical treatment is minoxidil (rogaine). Minoxidil is famously known as an anti-balding treatment that is best used when it is applied directly to the affected areas. This cannot provide a total cure for hair loss but it can substantially reduce hair shedding thus it can also stimulate hair re-growth, particularly on the crown area of the scalp. Another strike of defense is the finasteride drug. This drug inhibits 5-alpha reductase type II, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasterides are thought to vastly re-grow lost hair on top (crown) of the scalp and in rare instances, at the hairline. The dose in men is 1 mg orally once daily, without regard to meals and is highly contraindicated in women.

4.) Is Hair Transplant an option?

If a man has lost huge amounts of hair, well the answer is YES! Though, not all men opt to get this type of hair restoration as this surgery is extremely expensive which can ordinarily cost them as much as $5,000 to $20,000. But the good side of this technique is that it provides rapid results and can display a very natural look. This is also practiced to restore eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard areas as well.

Most people normally shed 50 to 100 hair shafts a day and gradual thinning can occur as we age, others are burdened with excessive hair loss that can lead to complete baldness.

* Pattern baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia). This type of hair loss is predominantly occurring in males. However, this can occur in females as well. Male pattern baldness is something that men experience at the age of 18 to 40. It is considered to be a natural and age related alteration in the body which designates 95% of hair loss in men alone. Hair loss in men is considerably inherited either from the mother’s side or father’s side which implies genetic plays an important role in such condition. A hormone called Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is build up in the body excessively, which whenever accumulated in the scalp, blocks the hair follicles from absorbing essential nutrients from the blood that results to miniaturization of hair and eventually hair starts to fall. Women happen to experience hair loss during their puberty and most often, women endure it after giving birth and to older females, hair loss is in occurrence during menopause.

* Alopecia Areata is a condition that causes open patches on the human scalp or body. More and more medical specialists found out that this disease is due to autoimmune deficiency wherein white blood cells in the immune system attack the hair follicles and block them from producing more hair. Alopecia areata can also be associated with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid diseases, allergic conditions, and lupos.

* Telogen effluvium (Stress Trigger) is the next common cause of hair loss after androgenetic alopecia. Stress from an illness, pregnancy, a sudden weight loss and a depression can trigger hair to fall, body stressors can affect the hair follicle, it is proven to cause a big change in a large portion of the hair follicle that makes the hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state, affecting the growing existing hairs from these hair roots to fall out. Malnutrition, metabolic disorders, physical and emotional stress are proven to be basis of such hair loss.

* Poor nutrition. Having inadequate consumption of protein and other essential nutrients in your daily diet can cause hair loss. Inconsistent diets and eating disorders  such as bulimia and anorexia can both result in malnutrition.

* Medical treatments. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be the cause of alopecia (hair loss). During these kinds of medical treatment, the healthy growing hair becomes affected but in most cases, hair begins to grow back after the treatment. Diseases like lupos and diabetes can trigger hair loss too. Furthermore, there are other drugs used to treat arthritis, heart problems, depression, and high blood pressure that may cause to develop hair loss in some people.

* Hormonal changes. Imbalances and disorders of hormones can commonly happen in women temporarily. This could be due to pregnancy and menopause, having an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, and inconsistent usage of birth control pills can definitely result in hair loss.

* Hair treatments. There are various ways of treating the hair and harsh chemicals are used in perming, dying, bleaching and straightening that can damage and brittle the hair thus, making it fragile and leading it to fall off from the scalp.

* Scalp infections. Infections such as fungal infections can cause hair fall, producing an unhealthy environment for the hair which hinders the hair follicles to produce a healthier hair. Ringworm can also occur, leading to hair loss. All fungal infections are treated with topical and oral anti-fungal medications.

* Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder).  Trichotillomania is a type of mental disorder wherein people tend to pull their hair from the scalp,  eyebrows or other areas of the body. This irresistible urge can leave bald  spots on their head. Researchers are still determining what causes this mental disorder but still, no specific cause has yet been discovered.

Stress is defined as “a demand upon physical or mental energy,” according to the Oxford dictionary. Basically stress can either be of individual’s benefit or worse, detriment — it depends! But in far more circumstances, stress as we face it always, always comes negatively, at our expense and even feel that stress makes us face the peril of our existence. Such notions are making us live on a higher demand, making ourselves more incapable of coping with it, depriving us with relief. What we are forgetting is that stress is an everyday occurrence that involves most people at any time in their life.

In correlation with hair loss, basically it is that you do to yourself under extreme stress or the aftermath of stress that impacts much hair loss, not directly the stress or whatever crisis there is. Physiologically, hair grows in three basic repeating cycles — the growth, shedding and resting phases. The growth stage roughly lasts for two years after which the hair normally sheds off, then hair follicles rest about a couple of months or three before starting the cycle again; and this goes on and on in a normal, healthy person. However, when ones’ body are subjected under strenuous activities and extreme stress, as much as 70 percent of hair can over hastily goes to telogen or resting phase, where hair falls out unnoticeable. Such conditions to cause this are medical and iatrogenic of origin; diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders and varied medications are, respectively. The body’s normal process and equilibrium are severely altered, furthermore induced by some selective medications.

In women, special circumstances as pregnancy, of which accounts 45% in figures, childbirth, miscarriage and even surgery (during the labour process and others) are seen to influence hair loss in lots of ways. The abrupt fluctuations of hormones and the body’s mechanism directed positively or negatively in the attempt to bring back the body’s balance are causing that extreme internal stress. So much for the physical agents, one to be highly devastating is emotional stress. Intrinsically in any stressful circumstances — internally or externally that may or may not be triggered by groundless fears, succumbing to defense mechanism will come our forte. In devastating feelings of powerlessness, a person becomes avoidant, dissociated, and incorporates more of the mechanism of denial. He/she then tends to slack up, eat much of the less healthy options, isolate oneself and all the likes; placing oneself in utmost danger. With the loss of vitamins and body nourishment out of the damaging habit hair follicle is far more pushed to telogen or the resting phase.

It surely does not sound as easy as it is, but one should cope up with the stress before it transforms to a far more ill health than just simple hair thinning. Relief comes only after six weeks or so for alopecia, but is not quite promising. One should religiously learn to de-stress, take a moment of your day to relax. If possible, cut down on caffeine and nicotine (for smokers) intake, instead change it with the healthier options — eat your vegetables, double your usual intake of foods, grab some vitamin supplements and stay away from pollutants.

Stress is defining people on the outs. For people in healthy, joyful and serene lives, a well-nourished, volumized and lustrous hair is readily reflected, and hair thinning and hair loss are seen on individuals that are depressed and in struggle for adaptation.

Inevitably stress presents itself to all of us. The best way is to acknowledge it with positivity and get down and depressed. As a matter of fact, one should get inspiration from stress, we need it to become more efficient, proficient, ambitious and productive; though many are battling on this and even a rare number is enlisted believers. Without stress, life will be a bore. So, true indeed, in becoming a well-rounded person, one should have that ability to deal with stress when it threatens to overwhelm us.

HAIR LOSS HORMONES

Major studies proved a unanimous conclusion to top the causes of alopecia or hair loss – that is, hormones. Hormones that somehow manage to rule men and women on certain circumstances are blamed for over 90-95% cases of alopecia.

In men, hormonal issues are often coupled with ageing in the abysmal process of hair thinning and baldness. Referred to as male pattern baldness, this alopecia is ascertained to be androgen dependent; holding the androgenic hormone testosterone the most liable for this issue.

Dihydrotestosterone is a by-product of testosterone. This is primarily and more abundantly produced in men’s system as these hormones are far essential for an individual to produce secondary sex characteristics. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is generated from the catalytic process accomplished by the enzyme, 5-alpha reductase. With the increase of testosterone, directly the level of DHT likewise increases.

The excess and freely circulating DHT may bind to hair follicles. Later then, these affected hair follicles shrink causing hair shafts to fall off. When these hair follicles be ripped off, they are unlikely to be regrown with new, healthy ones because of the unsuitable environment for hair growth. If by chance a strand may sprout off of this area, the only chance is that it would look intensely thinner, shorter and off-coloured.

There are also certain circumstances that prove to trigger the increase of levels of testosterone in men’s system. For instance, when an individual performs aerobic exercises or even does weight-lifting, even an hour worth exercise can double the men’s testosterone level.

In women, testosterone is present as well; this is a fraction level is necessary for certain bodily functions. The cycle with regards to that of DHT happening in men is also happening in women. In addition, another agent to cause hair thinning is also named, that is the androsteinedione. These two are proved to cause diffused female baldness. In women’s case, besides the two enzymes being the catalytic factors for hair thinning, other factors are directed to those that cause enormous hormonal imbalance and fluctuation.

If a woman is diagnosed to be suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, she is also expected to double her dilemma for she is to face hair loss. Women in their pregnancy period and even those at their menopausal age are probably at higher risk. The imbalance in the levels of hormones testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are seen to instigate hair loss due to certain bodily fluctuation of homeostasis and compromise.

The process is intriguing. It might take a couple or more years for the individual to feel the hair loss process. The conversion of hair from large, thick and well-pigmented to shorter, unhealthy and non-pigmented hair in various areas occur gradually. The baring of scalp among men starts at the temporal areas, reshaping it to “M”, then to the crown, as for the women, hair loss is less patterned and is diffused all over indefinite areas of the head.