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Jun 08, 2006
What you should know about baldness
by SirGan
 Baldness, also known as alopecia, is condition characterized by the hair loss, or absence of hair. Baldness is usually most noticeable on the scalp, but can occur anywhere on the body where the hair actually grows. The condition is more common in men than in women. The fact is that some people prefer to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden, while others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves.Normal hair cycleThe known fact is that hair grows about an inch every couple of months. Not too many people know that each and every hair grows approximately 2 to 6 years, remains at that length for a short period, and then falls out. But good thing is that almost immediately- a new hair soon begins growing in its place. The proven fact is that at this minute- about 85% of the hair on your head is in the growing phase and 15% is not. Everyone knows that each hair sits in a cavity in the skin called a follicle.
What are the different types of baldness?Baldness can be classified into various types, depending on the cause and several different types are described. Most common types of baldness include the following:
Male-pattern baldness usually is a hereditary condition and it may begin at any age. Hair loss often begins on the front, sides, and/or on the crown of the head. Some men may develop a bald spot or just a receding hair line, while others may lose all of their hair.
Although less common, female-pattern baldness differs from that of male-pattern baldness in that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. Female-pattern baldness rarely results in total hair loss.
This hair loss disorder is characterized by sudden loss of hair, but only in one particular area, which grows back after several months. However, if all body hair is suddenly lost, regrowth may not occur.
· Toxic alopecia
Toxic alopecia is not so frequent type of alopecia and it can occur after certain medications, especially thallium, high doses of vitamin A, and retinoids. Medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, and after giving birth could also trigger toxic alopecia.
It is logical that scarred areas may prevent the hair from growing back and this condition can occur from burns, injury, or x-ray therapy.
Hair pulling, a habit most common among children, may cause hair loss.
The most common types of alopecia are definitely male and female pattern baldness!
Symptoms of male pattern baldnessThere are some typical places where the male pattern baldness occur for the first time and the most common is hairline. The hairline gradually recedes to form a shape of M letter! The area of baldness is spreading and eventually the top of the hairline meets the thinned crown, leaving a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head.
Other possible symptoms are:
Causes of male pattern baldnessIt is well understood that baldness in men occurs when the follicle shrinks over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. The end result is a very small follicle with no hair inside. Ordinarily, hair should grow back. However, in men who are balding, the follicle fails to grow a new hair! Why? No one really knows! The most common theory is that it could be related to male sex hormones, especially dehydroepiandrosterone, active form of testosterone!
Other possible causes are:
It is proven that certain conditions such as diabetes, lupus and thyroid disorders can cause hair loss and treatment of these conditions will often lead to hair regrowth!
Not too many people know that if someone has inadequate protein or iron in diet – it can cause hair loss.
There are certain drugs which are normally used to treat gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure, but also may cause hair loss in some people.
Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy may cause alopecia and that’s why it should be avoided if possible.
Three to four months after events such as an illness or surgery- alopecia can easily occur!
It is known fact that newborns often lose hair during the first several months of life. Most mother don’t know that this baby hair is not real hair and that it will be replaced by more permanent hair.
Female pattern baldnessSymptoms of female baldness are a bit different then the male ones and they usually include thinning of hair over the entire head and hair loss at the crown or hairline. The truth is that the exact cause of the failure to grow new hair in female pattern baldness is not well understood. Most experts believe that it could be due to:
It is proven that frequent changes in the levels of androgens can affect hair production, especially after the hormonal changes of menopause.
Treatment of alopeciaMedicationsThere are several medications that are commonly used to treat alopecia and some of the most common are:
This is one of the most famous medications used to treat alopecia. It is over-the-counter medication which is approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Patients should know that a new hair resulting from minoxidil use may be thinner and shorter than previous hair.
Unlike the previous medication, this medication is normally used in a pill form! Important thing about this medication is that for positive results patients may wait several months. How does it work? It works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and is an important factor in male hair loss. Finasteride is not approved for use by women. It is important thing that pregnant women must never use it because Finasteride tablets because absorption of the drug may cause serious birth defects in male fetuses.
Several researches done in the past have proven that injections of cortisone into the scalp can help in treating alopecia areata.
Anthralin is a synthetic, tarry substance that should be applied to scalp and wash off daily.
Hair replacement surgeryThere are a number of hair replacement techniques that are available but there is one big problem-it cannot help those who suffer from total baldness. Candidates for hair replacement must have a healthy growth of hair at the back and sides of the head. During transplantation a cosmetic surgeon takes tiny plugs of skin, each containing one to several hairs, from the back or side of scalp.
There are four primary different types of hair replacement methods, including the following:
Usually -during hair transplantation, the surgeon removes small pieces of hair-bearing scalp grafts from the back or sides of the head. These grafts are then relocated to a bald or thinning area.
In this procedure, a tissue expander is placed underneath a hair-bearing area that is located next to a bald area. After some time- the tissue expander causes the skin to grow new skin cells. Another operation is then required to place the newly expanded skin over the adjacent bald spot.
This is very effective procedure. During this procedure a portion of the bald area is removed and a flap of the hair-bearing skin is placed on to the bald area while still attached at one end to its original blood supply
Scalp reduction is done in order to cover the bald areas at the top and back of the head. This technique involves the removal of the bald scalp with sections of the hair- connecting scalp pulled together filling in the bald area.
Wigs and hairpiecesThere are several options which stand as an alternative to medical treatment for baldness. It may be also helpful for people who didn’t respond to treatment. These patients may want to consider wearing a wig or hairpiece. They can be used to cover either permanent or temporary hair loss. There are some quality, natural-looking wigs and hairpieces are available.
Possible operation complicationsThere are several possible complications that could occur after hair transplantation although they are very rare! Possible complications associated with hair transplantation procedures may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Sometimes but now very often- the growth of new hair has a patchy look, especially if it is placed next to a thinning area. It can look really unpleasant but it may be repaired with another operation!
Although, it isn't very common complication and it shouldn’t happen at all -tension on the scalp from some of the scalp reduction techniques can result in wide scars and bleeding.
Occasionally, there is a chance that the graft may not be accepted by the body! If this is the case, surgery must be repeated.
As with any surgical procedure, there is the risk of infection.
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