What is hairloss?
Hairloss or Alopecia, is a major problem affecting countless people worldwide. In the US alone, as many as 35 million men and 21 million women experience hair loss each year. Alopecia occurs when hair repeatedly falls out and does not grow back. Different kinds of hair loss manifest in various ways; however, a few stray hairs on your hairbrush does not directly translate to an Alopecia crisis. Up to 100 hairs are lost from our head on a daily basis, but they will be replaced over time. Although, if you spot numerous bald patches or lots of thinning hair, then you may be experiencing significant hairloss.
Alopecia can be caused by many factors ranging from inherent genetics to environmental causes. Androgenetic alopecia, the main form of hair loss, is due to uncontrollable genetic factors, and the overall aging process. This form of progressive baldness affects both men and women around the world.
Other than androgenetic alopecia, there are other forms of hair loss including alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and scarring alopecia.
Interestingly, the idea of hair loss carries numerous connotations depending on whether it appears in men or women. In women, the results of hair loss is devestating, whilst with men it is viewed as an unfortunate consequence of ageing. This demonstrates just how much hair loss in men and women differs in prevalence and severity. Whatever your gender and whatever the nature of your hairloss, it can still be a prolonged and distressing event.
Hairloss in Men
The most common type of hair loss is male pattern baldness, and it accounts for over 95% of hair loss in men. By the age of 60, 65% of men already have noticeable hair loss largely due to male pattern baldness. A receding hairline and thinning at the crown, or temples, are characteristic of male pattern baldness. For some, this may gradually progress to complete baldness, but it’s not common.
This pattern of hair loss is hereditary, with affected individuals inheriting hair follicles with a genetic sensitivity to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone(DHT). if a hair follicle becomes sensitive to DHT, it can result in baldness because the follicles become minaturised and eventually die off.
Other than androgenetic alopecia, there could be other causes of hair loss. Types of alopecia can be symptomatic of other conditions which include serious infections, use of chemotherapy, adverse reactions to drugs, and even extreme stress. However, the probability of male hair loss being due to factors other than hereditary androgenetic alopecia is quite low.
Female hairloss
As is the case with male hair loss, the most common cause of hairloss in women is androgenetic alopecia. The pattern and cause of this hair loss is different to male patterned baldness. The hair loss pattern is more diffuse, with less hair at the crown and hairline. Women usually notice some thinning in the top third to one half of the scalp. The hair loss is gradual and it takes many years before significant hairloss is noticed.
Female pattern baldness is hereditary and is also due to the action of DHT on sensitive hair follicles. The hair follicles become more sensitive to the effect of DHT even if the levels of male hormones are low. Incidentally, the hair loss becomes more pronounced during the menopause when the levels of female hormones are changing. This gives an edge to the minute amounts of male hormones normally present in women.
Other than androgenetic alopecia, there are other hair loss conditions quite common in women. The most notable is telogen effluvium which occurs when the body goes through something traumatic and stressful, such as childbirth or extreme malnutrition. Fortunately, the hair will start to rejuvenate once the body gets back into rhythm.
