by admin | May 31, 2021 7:13 am
Balding is an increasingly common occurrence in both men and women in the last 3 decades. More specifically to men, it is estimated that for those with alopecia (a type of baldness), 21 percent start losing their hair from the age of 15 onwards. By the age of 35, as many as 66 percent of men would have experienced any one of the below-mentioned types of hair loss. And from the age of 50 onwards, as much as 85 percent of men experience gradual thinning of hair.
Again all hair losses are not the same. Some are genetic, some are acquired, some are permanent, some are temporary, some are reversible, and some are not. So let’s understand the types of baldness and their causes.
Also called male pattern baldness, this is the most common type of hair loss in men. It’s a genetic condition, which causes hair loss to different extents in different people. In most males who have inherited this condition, the hairline starts receding after puberty. Over time, some men may experience balding at the temples, front of the scalp, and crown of the head. Soon, the bald patches merge even as the hair below the ears stays intact or starts to thin, creating a horseshoe pattern.
Androgens are male hormones produced in the body which give men their typical male characteristics. The most important androgen is testosterone, and this is produced by the testicles. Testosterone produces different effects in different parts of the body. On the scalp, the hormone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in the hair follicle, by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Some people are sensitive to DHT, and in them, it causes the hair follicle to produce smaller hair, which is barely visible (called fuzz). Eventually, the follicles become dormant or inactive and stop producing the fuzz too, creating a shining pate.
This is an auto-immune condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles. One of the triggers for this can be stress. This does not refer to small or occasional bouts of stress, which is normal in anybody’s life, but several months of continuous professional or personal life stress. In most cases, the condition is reversible. Once the stress or stressors are gone, the hair grows back, while it’s a permanent change in some people.
Human hair has a growth cycle with 3 phases: The anagen phase or the growing phase where the scalp keeps growing hair, and this lasts 2 to 4 years. Next is the catagen or transition phase, where no growth happens and the hair follicles start shrinking. This lasts 2 to 3 weeks. The last phase is the telogen or resting phase in which the hair starts shedding slowly, and this lasts 2 to 4 months. Telogen effluvium is a condition in which prolonged stress can cause the hair to go into the telogen phase more frequently and longer durations. Hair starts falling in small numbers every day during activities such as brushing teeth, combing, shampooing hair, etc.
In this condition, the growth of hair during the anagen phase is impaired by toxic substances in the environment (as in chemical factory workers) or due to treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and medication for cancer. You may have seen friends or family afflicted with cancer develop this condition. It is reversible, which means once the toxins or treatments reduce, hair starts growing back.
This is a psychological disorder in which stress can cause the person to pull out hair from the head or other parts of the body.
Ringworm is an infection caused by a fungus (and not worms). It can happen anywhere in the body. When it happens on the scalp, the hair shaft also gets affected, causing scaly patches that look like scars. If treated early, the condition is reversible; else it can cause permanent hair loss.
Hairstyles that pull back the hair tightly (like tight ponytails, braids, hair extensions, or corn rows) stress the hair follicles. The repeated tension can cause hair loss. Once such hairstyles are stopped, the condition can be reversed; else, if they are used for a long time, the hair loss can be permanent.
Some medicines given for certain conditions can induce temporary or permanent hair loss. These include:
Hair growth requires sufficient nutrition from the body, and this comes from protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and traces of zinc and selenium. One can get these nutrients when one has a healthy and balanced diet on most if not all days of the week. People with poor diets, low appetite, and those with an affinity for junk food or fast food are more vulnerable to hair loss. Iron deficiency can also trigger baldness.
Frequent or excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, and loss of sleep are all stressors for the body, especially the scalp, and trigger hair loss, specifically Telogen effluvium. Loss of sleep can cut down the production of different hormones in the body required for hair growth.
The 3 phases of hair growth described earlier repeat in cycles of 2 to 4 years in younger people. However, once the person crosses 50 years of age, the cycles can get longer, reaching up to 8 years. The longer cycles cause thinning and loss of hair over time. This is natural and cannot be reversed. However, it can be kept under control by addressing the other factors mentioned here.
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, which is high or low production of thyroid, can trigger hair loss. Interestingly, the medications given to address the problem can also cause hair loss to a small extent, as mentioned earlier.
Treatment options for hair loss vary depending on the person’s age, the type of hair loss condition, and the overall health of the person. This includes medicines (such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Spironolactone), laser therapy[1], protein-rich-plasma (PRP) injections, and hair transplant.
Preventive measures include a healthy diet[2], a healthy lifestyle, loose hairstyles, and frequent massage of the scalp. Changing medication and limiting heat damage (from straighteners and curling irons) can also help.
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