'Hair Loss Facts' Category Archive

Posted on Jan 21st, 2007

Female baldness is not as common as male baldness, which is probably why we don’t hear as much about it. Women are more self-conscious about baldness when it occurs and tend to suffer a lot more psychologically because of it than men do. Female baldness is often caused by hormones, such as the loss of estrogen after menopause, genetics (women are just as susceptible to inherited baldness as men) and the natural hair loss that comes with aging.

The main difference between male and female baldness is that women do not experience a receding hairline when suffering from female baldness. Baldness solutions also differ for both genders because some of the topical products that are prescribed for men do cause hair to grow on other parts of the body. The same thing applies to some of the hair growth pills. Women should contact their doctors to find is a baldness solution that is safe for them to use. There are some topical solutions designed for both men and women that have no harmful side effects. The problem of baldness is bad enough without adding to it with more problems from products that do cause other conditions.

Females are often better candidates for hair transplants than men, because of the fact that they do not lose all their hair. In fact total baldness is rare in females. As a baldness solution, medical hair restoration for female baldness begins with a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon. The surgeon will take a sample of healthy hair and then dissect it under a microscope to make hair grafts. These hair grafts are then fitted precisely onto the bald spots at different angles so that they will grow together with the normal hair.

There are also baldness solutions that have promising results with female baldness. One of these is a hair growth shampoo that helps to remover DHT from the scalp. DHT stands for Dihydotestosteron, which blocks the hair follicles and is a leading cause of baldness in both men and women.

Another way that female baldness differs from that of males is that females tend to experience bald patches at different places on their heads or a general thinning of the hair. Women are better able to cover up bald patches and often wear stylish wigs that are indistinguishable from natural hair. The next time you complain because you need another haircut, just think of those that wish they had hair to cut.

So if you are suffering from female baldness talk to your doctor, there are things which can be done about it. Don’t suffer in silence.

For a website totally devoted to hair loss and hair replacement visit Peter’s Website The Hair Replacement Guide, and find out about Female Hair Loss as well as Hair Restoration and more, including Male Hair Loss and Hair Loss Treatments

Posted on Dec 27th, 2006

Male Pattern Baldness

On average, there are 90,000 to 150,000 hairs on the scalp. The hairs grow from roots called follicles. Blood vessels at the base of each follicle provide nourishment vital for hair and hair growth. Hair growth in each root occurs in a cycle independent of each other. At any time about 90 percent of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth phase, while the other 10 percent are in the resting phase. The growth phase can last an average of up to five years, after which the follicle goes into a resting phase, which can last upto four months. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out and is replaced by a new hair. This is all a perfectly normal part of the growth cycle. In fact, on a typical day, up to 150 hairs can be lost. Baldness occurs when hair is lost at an unusually high rate and hair replacement occurs at an unusually slow rate and/or when normal hairs are replaced by weaker, smaller ones.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Almost all cases of hair loss is the result of Male pattern baldness (or androgenetic alopecia).Male pattern baldness occurs much more frequently in men than in women.Even in mild cases It affects roughly 50 million men in the United States. Balding may begin at any age after puberty. While some types of hair loss is reversible, male pattern baldness tends to be permanent. It occurs in a very typical pattern on the scalp.Hair loss usually begins at the temples and at the top of the head toward the back, causing a receding hairline and a bald spot.Sometimes progressing further until the two sections become joined,leaving a horseshoe pattern on the sides and back of the head.Male pattern baldness progresses slowly and is not associated with any physical discomfort.

What causes male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness is thought to be a combination of hormonal and genetic factors.Testosterone and its more potent derivative dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the contributimg factors of the degree of balddness. Whatever the exact causes of male pattern baldness may be, it is hereditary. A tendency toward baldness on either side of a man’s family(mother or father) indicates The speed, pattern,and degree of the balding. Usually, the earlier it begins, the more severe the hair loss will be. Balding is not caused by wearing a hat,you cant regrow hair by Massaging or brushing,or excessive shampooing stimulate hair growth.These are thought to be false.Stress may contribute to a form of hair loss,but normal everyday stress does not contribute to balding

What are the treatment options for male pattern baldness?

-Herbal Shamppos

-Herbal Remedies

-Specialty Shampoos(for example Helsinki Formula)

-Wigs

-Transplants

-Medication(Propecia,Minoxidil etc)

-Home Remedies

-Others

Hair transplantation

In hair transplants,healthy live follicles are removed from a donor site on the scalp and transplanted to the balding area. The follicles are commonly taken in "plugs" of one hair to two hairs (micrografts) from the sides or back of the head and moved to the balding area, with the hairline being slowly reconstructed. Larger plugs may be used. Donor sites with full hair make transplants more successful.Some scarring may occur. Transplanted follicles are usually permanent. Synthetic hair has also been used for transplants but has been known for to have a high rate of infection and has been been banned.As with any surgical procedure, hair transplantation present certain risks.If you are considering a transplant, consult your doctor.

Wigs

A hairpiece can be custom made to cover a balding area. Hairpieces may fade and over time. It is important to clean the scalp under the hairpiece regularly.Another option is a weave, in which fake(synthetic) hair is sewn into existing hair.

This just a quick run down of what happens when most men reach a certain age. Here are a couple of sites that we have found that will educate and inform and give you everything you want to know about Male Pattern Baldness. The reviews are very positive and even might give you possible solutions to this problem that has afflicted almost every man for generations.

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Posted on Dec 26th, 2006

The causes of hair loss are plenty including diseases, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and even stress. But, one of the most common ones is adrogenetic alopecia.

Alopecia, is in fact, the term for hair loss. Androgenetic is a reference to the fact that factors such as a genetic predisposition to balding and the influence of male hormones-androgens-play a part. There is also a third aspect-aging.

Let’s look at these in brief:

Genetics

Genetics is a complicated thing and not easy to understand or predict the behavior of. The case with balding is also the same. Simply the presence (or absence) of balding in one’s parents, on either, the mother’s or father’s side, is not necessarily predictive of one’s likelihood of balding. It’s very hard to accurately predict who will go bald and how rapidly.

Androgenic Hormones

All normal men and women produce "male" hormones. The most common of these are testosterone, androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These hormones are quite important in both sexes, but occur in different concentrations, being much more predominant in males than in females.

This, in part, is responsible for the typical differences between the genders. It is the exposure of the hair follicles to DHT, in a genetically susceptible person, over a period of time, which leads to androgenetic alopecia, or male and female pattern baldness.

Aging

Age and balding are not proportional in any manner imaginable. It is a process and this fact should not be ignored. Like any process, it can be rapid or slow, it can begin toward the end of life or in the late teens, and it can progress in a predictably inexorable fashion, or it can stop and start, seemingly stabilize, and then begin again. But what exactly does happen? Assuming we have a genetically predisposed person, then as the follicles are continuously exposed to DHT, an interesting phenomenon occurs. The anagen phase, or active growth phase of the hair becomes gradually briefer and briefer, and eventually the hair becomes finer and shorter, and less deeply colored.

This is called "miniaturization" of hairs. This is also the point at which hair loss tends to be noticed first. It’s not that there are fewer hairs on the head, but that their caliber (cross-sectional area), color and length are so diminished that they no longer provide "coverage" for the scalp beneath.

Discover all you ever wanted to know about hair. Latest hair styles, new hair loss treatments, best methods of hair removal. Click for daily updated blog of hair news and articles. http://www.hair-unexpurgated.com/

Posted on Dec 3rd, 2006

Some of the “legends” I have heard over the years about female hair loss are : Wigs and hats may cause female hair loss, Female hair loss indicates an energetic brain, A frequently washing of the hair or over brushing or combing it may cause hair loss and hair shaving will make the hair re grow thicker.

Female hair loss most popular type is the female pattern hair loss. It is a hereditary type which might be inherited from each of the parents. To make things simple, the cause of the female pattern hair loss is a chemical called DHT.

The female pattern hair loss usually becomes stronger at the age of menopause. It’s symptoms are thinning of the hair over the sides and the top of the head.

There are 4 available products to treat female hair loss:

1. Medical treatments like Rogaine. Rogaine is one of only two FDA approved hair loss treatments and it remains the only one approved for use by women. Rogaine or minoxidil also helps high blood pressure.

Rogaine works on about 50% of female hair loss cases but not always with the same efficiency. It comes as a lotion that you have to put on your scalp.

2. Wigs or hair thickeners – theses cosmetic female hair loss products may help you save a lot of time, money and discomfort using other kinds of products.

However, many women feel insecure and in natural with the cosmetic female hair loss products. Do not be afraid to change styles and products until you are satisfied.

3. The last and least recommended female hair loss treatment is a hair transplantation surgery. Although there has been a significant improvement with the outcomes of those surgeries a severe risk still exists.

The principle of the hair transplant is transplanting hair follicles from the body ( the back of the head for example) on the scalp. It is a pain full long process.

In some cases, female hair loss can be a mental symptom. Therefore, it is advised to wait a while before using any of the female hair loss products mentioned above.

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Posted on Dec 1st, 2006

Hair loss usually occurs because of hormonal factors. As a consequence, biological events like puberty, pregnancy and menopause that effect female hormone levels can also cause female hair loss. In the case of pregnancy, hair loss is simply a consequence of the stress the body undergoes during labor and should stop approximately 6 months after birth. Discontinuation of taking birth control pills can also cause temporary female hair loss.

The most common type of female hair loss is androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is associated with hair thinning predominantly over the sides and top of the head. Female hair loss affects about one-third of all susceptible women and usually onsets after menopause although it can begin earlier.

Other causes of female hair loss include dieting. Rapid weight loss over a short period of time promotes hair loss and some supplements such as excessive vitamin A also contribute to hair loss. Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs when the trauma is excessive and of a long duration. Everyday stress does not promote hair loss.

Some common myths related to female hair loss are that frequent washing and shampooing, and wearing of wigs and hats all cause hair loss. In addition, rumors abound that permanents, coloring, and other cosmetic treatments can cause permanent hair loss. Other myths are that brushing your hair everyday will create healthier hair, that shaving your head will cause hair to grow back thicker, and that stress causes permanent hair loss. Finally, other myths are that there is a cure for female-pattern baldness and that dandruff causes permanent hair loss.

These are just a few common myths associated with female hair loss. If you experience excessive hair loss, you should see a licensed dermatologist for a thorough diagnosis and treatment options.

Hairloss Info provides detailed information about the cause of male and hair loss, as well as products, treatments, remedies, and more. Hairloss Info is the sister site of Snoring Web.

Posted on Nov 30th, 2006

At a research study held in a university in Norfolk, Virginia, it was found that 84 percent of men suffering from hair loss were preoccupied with the loss. They described feelings of helplessness, vulnerability, and jealousy of men with full, healthy heads of hair. Men who had begun losing their hair in their early twenties were more likely to have problems with low self-esteem.

Male hair loss occurs because of a hormone imbalance. The medical term for male-pattern baldness is Androgenetic Alopecia. This term will help you understand the factors involved in excessive male hair loss. Androgen refers to any of the many hormones that control the appearance and development of masculine traits. An example is testosterone. Genetic refers to heredity, the inheritance of genes from either the mother or father. Alopecia simply means hair loss. So we could say that male hair loss occurs because of male hormones affected by genetic inheritance.

DHT (testosterone and 5-alpha-reductase) is a naturally occurring hormone that helps in sexual development. Genetic switches in certain men after puberty cause changes in hair follicles; specifically androgen receptor sites on the follicles that regulate healthy hair growth. As DHT levels increase as men age, binding at the follicle receptor sites increases. This causes an imbalance in the biological processes of the hair follicles that are more sensitive. Slowly, the follicles begin to degrade as DHT builds up on the site causing hair to grow back thinner and shorter, eventually making it so thin and short that it can’t be seen.

Men lose their hair in different ways based on their genetic predisposition. Male hair loss usually involves receding at the temples, loss on the top of the head, and thinning over large areas. These patterns are identified on something called the ""Norwood scale,"" which classifies different types of hair loss.

Hairloss Info provides detailed information about the cause of male and hair loss, as well as products, treatments, remedies, and more. Hairloss Info is the sister site of Snoring Web.

Posted on Nov 26th, 2006

Hair, though often overlooked, plays an important role in our lives. Upon meeting someone, one of the first things you notice is their hair. Before a social engagement, our hair is one of the things we spend the most time on getting to look a certain way. Those affected by hair loss become aware of how important hair is in our social lives quickly. That is why hair loss provokes not only feelings of cosmetic concern, but also may provoke a loss of self-esteem and even identity problems.

Hair Loss, also referred to as balding, is caused by a variety of factors, the most important being heredity. Hair loss runs in the family and is not curable though someday, gene manipulation may lead scientists to a cure. Men with a genetic predisposition to hair loss have areas on their scalp that are especially sensitive to male sex hormones. As men age, these areas and the hair follicles that reside there suffer from a biological imbalance caused by a male hormone called DHT. Slowly, over a period of years, follicles wither and hair becomes thinner and shorter until it can’t be seen at all.

Though not curable yet, hair loss in the form of androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness described above) can be treated in various surgical and non-surgical ways. Shampoos like Rogaine work by stimulating the growth of hair, thus counteracting the effects of excessive hair loss. Pills like Propecia are DHT inhibitors, which help keep DHT levels normal so follicles are not flooded with it. There are a variety of other treatment options like transplant surgery, which involves taking follicles from the sides and back of the scalp that are not sensitive to hormones that cause hair loss and redistributing them to balding areas.

Hairloss Info provides detailed information about the cause of male and hair loss, as well as products, treatments, remedies, and more. Hairloss Info is the sister site of Snoring Web.

Posted on Nov 10th, 2006

Baldness or hair loss is usually a problem associated with the male gender. Hair loss and baldness however is just as problematic for women as it is for men. Fortunately many types of female hair loss can be easily treated. Female hair loss in women can begin at any age. Some women experience hair loss that is hereditary in nature, while others may experience hair loss that results from hormonal changes or medication use. Not all women suffer from female pattern alopecia, which involves a thinning of the hair on top of the scalp. Some women for example, may experience hair loss on the sides or back of the scalp. Others may experience overall thinning. Some thinning, such as that associated with the post partum period, is usually temporary.

Hair Loss Patterns
Patterns of hair loss vary from woman to woman. The most commonly reported hair loss patterns in women include:

1. Thinning that occurs over the entire scalp. This thinning usually is more apparent at the back of the head.

2. Thinning over the scalp with more noticeable balding or thinning toward the front of the head. This pattern usually does not involve the front hairline however.

3. Thinning that occurs in the front of the scalp including the hairline.

Hair Loss Causes
Aside from androgenetic alopecia, which is often associated with male pattern baldness, a number of conditions can result in female hair loss. These include:

  • Alopecia areata - This is thought to result from an autoimmune disorder and can cause patches of hair to fall out.
  • Trichotillomania - Hair loss results in this case from compulsive pulling. Usually psychological treatment is necessary to resolve hair loss issues.
  • Triangular alopecia - This condition results in hair loss in the temporal areas of the scalp. Some women with this condition start losing their hair in childhood. Usually a doctor can treat this problem with medicines or surgery.
  • Scarring alopecia - This is hair loss that results from scarring. This commonly occurs in African American women. It may result from tight braiding that is persistent over time. Postmenopausal women are often more susceptible to this condition.

Hair loss in women can be devastating. Society typically regards women’s hair as a sign of beauty, fertility and youth. Many women feel that a full head of hair is necessary to function well in life. Hair loss can result in emotional turmoil and self esteem for many women. Fortunately there are a number of highly effective treatments a woman can use to help combat hair loss. Here are some popular treatment choices for women experiencing hair loss:

  • Hair transplants - While this procedure is more commonly associated with men, women can also undergo hair transplant surgery. This treatment is often effective for reducing hair loss associated with a heredity-based condition. Not all women are good candidates for this procedure. Women who are good candidates include those with patchy areas of thinning rather than total hair thinning. Women must also have enough donor hair available for the transplant and the procedure should be able to meet a woman’s expectations following transplantation.
  • Minoxidil - This is an effective and FDA approved treatment for hair loss in men and women. Women simply have to apply this topical treatment twice daily to help prevent or slow hair loss. Many users have reported hair regrowth with routine use. Many find this product an easy product to incorporate into a daily beauty regimen. Also called Rogaine, Minoxidil is one of the better-known therapies for hair loss in women.
  • Hair extensions - Many women are opting for human hair extensions to help restore their hairs thickness and length. Human hair extensions provide a natural looking alternative to hair transplantation surgery. You can use them to cover patches or to address overall hair thinning throughout the scalp. Hair extensions are applied in individual strands or in wefts. The safest application procedures involve braiding extensions into the hair. Using glues or waxes to apply hair extensions may result in increased damage to a woman’s already fine and thinning hair.

It is important you consider your personal goals and lifestyle before selecting the hair treatment alternative most likely to resolve your hair problems. Remember, for many women hair loss is a reality. Fortunately there are many steps you can take to stop the problem from affecting your life and well-being!

About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as hair restoration, alopecia areata, and hair analysis.

Posted on Oct 23rd, 2006

Hair loss is not the end of your sex appeal. Think about it. Many women really love some famous men who are as bald as can be: Kojack (Telly Savalas), Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), or even Detective Vick Mackey (Michael Chiklis). And even more fabulously sexy actors are losing their hair: Sean Connery and other famous men have the infamous receding hairline and women still swoon. In fact, some men voluntarily shave their heads completely bald by choice. So what’s the problem?

Losing your own hair can be a challenge. Your whole image of yourself is changing. You’re not used to seeing yourself that way. It’s an adjustment. Do you like the new guy in the mirror? Is he more than just his hairline? Or is there a lot of self-identity wrapped up in your full head of hair?

Do you know that in India and also among the American Indians, hair is seen as holding the memory of your life? They see it as containing a kind of imprint of what you have been through. While both cultures see it this way, they respond differently. To some American Indian tribes, hair is sacred, a source of strength that should never be cut, much like the story of Samson in the Bible. In India, the shaving of the hair is thought to release one from karma or the cause-effect of our actions.

Of course, if you don’t manage to begin to feel as sexy as Telly Savalas or Patrick Stewart, and you have no connection to the Indian rituals of shaving the head for purification, there are lots of treatments on the market. Some of them are snake oil and some of them work to one degree or another for different people.

Toupees are an option, but usually it’s obvious that you’re wearing a wig. Then there are creams and ointments and diet plans. There’s also hair replacement therapy. If you choose one of these routes, do some thorough research both into the method and into the practitioner offering you the treatment. Find out what has worked for others. Get more than one opinion. And if it doesn’t work, remember, you are still one sexy guy!

About the author

Ross Mettarod is bald as an eagle and just as proud. He is grandfather to two wonderful children and lives in Minnesota and works with the postal service. You can read more articles on hair loss at Hairloss Club

Posted on Oct 15th, 2006

You’ve seen it in the movies, you’ve spotted it on TV. You’ve noticed it at the workplace and (if you’re a man) you may even have seen it on yourself. It’s that classic hairdo that never goes out of fashion: male pattern balding. What’s up with this strange fact of mens’ lives? Why does it happen? Can we stop it? And why does it have that weird shape?

First, if you’re not sure what male pattern balding looks like, scan the room you’re in or look at the TV. Chances are if you see ten men, you’ll spot at least a couple sporting some stage of the male pattern balding hairdo. It begins with a bit of a receding hairline and some thin hair right on top. And as the pattern develops, the hairline heads back towards the increasing bald spot until the two become one.

So why does it happen? Male pattern balding is a result of the two H factors: heredity and hormones. Unfortunately, the exact cause is not clear, but we know it has to do with these two factors. Let’s take a look at them both.

Heredity refers to the simple fact that if you’re family has a history of hair loss, you’ll probably be sporting some male pattern baldness at some point in your life. Obviously, this is a pretty common condition. In fact, by the time men are 30, a quarter of them have begun to lose their hair. By 60, two thirds of men have experienced hair loss.

The second factor is the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone, as all guys know, shows up during puberty and causes hair to start growing all over the place. Ironically, it is testosterone and its close relative DHT that stops hair from growing on the scalp. Follicles become smaller and smaller until the hair ceases to exist at all.

Is there anything you can do about it? Well, not really. Honestly, if there was a cure would half of the male population be sporting this silly hairstyle? Now there are some options that work for some people, but understand that none are a cure. Rogaine is a very well known hair regrowth treatment as is the prescription drug Propecia. You can also research hair transplants and hair pieces.

The simple fact, however, is that we don’t understand male pattern balding, can’t control it, and can’t cure it. It doesn’t cause any medical conditions and certainly won’t kill you. At worst, it is a socially embarrassing condition. But only if you make it that. Losing your hair doesn’t change you and your true friends will know that. Will women pay you less attention? Only the ones that you don’t want a longterm relationship with anyway. So don’t panic. Don’t do anything silly like try a comb over. Embrace your new hair style and be confident that at least 25% of your peers are going through the same thing.

Ian Byrd has been losing his hair since he was 19! He runs a site devoted to Balding Treatments to keep you up to date on Male Pattern Balding.

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