Baldness involves a complete or partial loss of hair, usually on the scalp, but sometimes in other places as well. Normally we shed 50 to 100 hairs every day when hair is in its resting and renewal process. When hair is in the resting stage it loosens gradually from its root and is shed. A few months later new hair begins to grow in its place. When ageing, it is normal for hair to thin in both women and men. This is under normal conditions. Through taking preventative measures most hair loss is preventable in the normal types of hair loss. By directly topically taking nutrition to the root system, the breakdown of the hair cycle with age can be prevented.
Genetics
The combining of one male reproductive cell and one female reproductive cell results in 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs. One pair of these chromosomes will determine sex. The other 22 pairs are autosomal chromosomes, which determine body characteristics.
Sex is determined by two chromosomes, one transmitted by the mother and the other by the father. There are two types of sex chromosomes known as X and Y. All ova carry an “X” chromosome, whereas the sperm carries either an “X” or a “Y” chromosome. If the ovum is fertilised by an X-carrying sperm, then a girl will result (XX). If the ovum is fertilised by a Y-carrying sperm, a boy will result (XY).
Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss
Male pattern baldness is an autosomal dominant trait in men. Therefore, a man could inherit male pattern baldness from either his mother or father.
In women, female pattern baldness is perceived to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. There are many reasons for female pattern baldness.
There are many causative factors. These are very rarely taken into the diagnostic equation when consulted by a physician. All these factors tend to occur throughout a woman’s life and the hair tends to become thinner over time. Inheritance of the tendency toward baldness is only part of the story. Therefore, the manifestation of this trait depends upon the interaction of different genetic determinants.
Male Balding
Males suffer from Alopecia Androgenetic (male pattern baldness). This simply means baldness. Many men experience extensive hair loss due to what is thought to be a hereditary condition called male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia, which can occur any time after teen years. Typically, it begins with a slow thinning of the scalp hair. Then the hair gradually recedes from the forehead and thins at the crown, eventually leaving a fringe around the back of the head and ears. The hair follicles in the balding areas metabolize androgens- male sex hormones in a different way from those on other parts of the body causing some of the hair follicles to shrink. The hair growth eventually slows and eventually, the hair dies resulting in so-called permanent baldness. Other experts believe that the real culprit is the enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5AR). It is the 5AR, which metabolizes testosterone into its derivative Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Female Balding
Females suffer from Androgen Dependent Alopecia (female pattern baldness). This means that male hormones (androgens) are believed to be the cause. Women produce male hormones from their adrenal glands. As many women have the same pattern of baldness as men, they are said to have Androgen (male hormone) Dependent Alopecia. Women may experience temporary hair loss from hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause or postmenopausal hormone therapy. When a woman has female pattern baldness at about the time of menopause this is due to major shifts in androgen levels, like male pattern baldness.
The beginning of the balding process in women is usually noticed by the increased amount of hair clinging to the brush or comb. The progressive hair loss may be gradual or intermittent and women may notice that their hair becomes less manageable. By age 40, about 25% of Caucasian women have developed some thinning and recession. The percentage increases until the fifth decade when about 50% of women have some thinning. Occasionally noticeable thinning occurs as a teenager.
These are all possible causes of premature balding in men and women:
- Straightening of hair
- Hair Colouring
- Stress, Shock
- Genetics
- Trauma
- Radical diets
- Traction damage
- Lack of Iron
- Post-Partum
- Medications e.g. Anti-depressants
- Thyroid conditions
There are many types of hair loss problems. The medical profession offers little in the way of treatments. Most drug-related solutions are not effective. An example of this is Alopecia Areata, and the side effects have far-reaching consequences.
Cortisone-based injections become the last treatment after many other avenues have been explored and these offer little or no results. The pain that the patient experiences and the trauma experienced along the way are far more devastating than the baldness itself.
So our suggestion is to find your nearest HairOptions branch so we can offer you the best solution to your problem in some cases medical intervention may be your only option, we can help you with this but for now, some of the facts have been discussed and you should be well informed before making any rash decisions.
