Male Pattern Hair Loss
Male Pattern Hair Loss
Excessive hair loss caused by heredity is by far the most common form of hair loss. Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that patterned hair loss in men (androgenetic alopecia) is inherited as a dominant trait from the maternal side of the family. However, the genetic predisposition for patterned hair loss in both men and women is likely attributed to a combination of multiple genes, the influence of androgens (male sex hormones) and age. Hair loss does not pose any health risks in and of itself, although it may rarely indicate an underlying medical condition or disease (e.g., lupus). Problems or difficulties experienced due to hair loss are often psychological, but can affect a person’s quality of life. More commonly, hair loss may cause individuals to become introverted, have low self-esteem or feel tense or unattractive. This is particularly true in men or women who begin to lose hair in their teenage years or early 20s (premature male or female pattern baldness), because these feelings tend to be more troubling in younger patients. Although treatment for hair loss is not necessary, patients who are emotionally impacted by the condition may benefit from seeking treatment.
Homeopathy and Herbal Medicines are very useful for hair growth without any side effects for any age group. Homeopathy helps to treat each individual patient from its root cause.
Alopecia (Hair Loss)
Hair loss (alopecia) is generally classified as either scarring or nonscarring. The most common types of nonscarring hair loss include :
Androgenetic alopecia. By far the most common form of hair loss. Caused by heredity, it occurs in women almost as frequently as men. However, men are usually unable to disguise it as effectively as women because they tend to lose more hair and tend to have fewer styling options. Men with this condition may begin losing hair as early as their 30s, while women usually do not experience significant hair loss or thinning until their 40s or later. Androgenetic alopecia in men is distinguished by a receding hairline and the disappearance of hair from the crown (top of head), forming a bald spot. Women tend to experience a general thinning throughout the scalp and may lose hair at the crown as well, though not as significantly as men. People with this form of hair loss have some hair follicles (tiny, tubular structures in the skin through which hair grows) with a shorter than normal hair growth phase, producing hairs that are shorter and thinner than normal. This is thought to occur as a result of hormonal changes in the follicle itself.
Telogen effluvium. Widespread hair loss across the scalp. It usually is characterized by temporary or reversible loss of hair, usually following a highly stressful event. Telogen effluvium causes hair throughout the scalp to shed prematurely, in contrast to normal hair loss, which occurs in a staggered fashion. This type of hair loss may not be noticeable until a significant amount of hair is missing. Hair re-growth should begin about three to four months after the triggering event.
Causes of Telogen effluvium
Common triggers of the condition may include pregnancy, surgery or illness and psychological trauma. In addition, many medical conditions (e.g., nutritional deficiency, syphilis) and medications (e.g., antidepressants) may cause hair loss. In women, this condition can be difficult to distinguish from androgenetic alopecia. Traumatic alopecia. Hair loss that is caused by chemicals (e.g., bleach, hot oils) or styling techniques that apply constant tension to the hair (e.g., hair straightening, tight braids). Habits of consistently altering hair (e.g., twisting, plucking) can cause hair to be distributed unevenly or broken. Traumatic alopecia is usually confined to the area being styled. It is often reversible but may become permanent if the area becomes scarred.
Traumatic alopecia. Hair loss that is caused by chemicals (e.g., bleach, hot oils) or styling techniques that apply constant tension to the hair (e.g., hair straightening, tight braids). Habits of consistently altering hair (e.g., twisting, plucking) can cause hair to be distributed unevenly or broken. Traumatic alopecia is usually confined to the area being styled. It is often reversible but may become permanent if the area becomes scarred.
Signs and Symptoms of Hair Loss
A number of events or circumstances can interrupt the normal cycle of hair growth and cause excessive hair loss, including heredity, hormones and medication. Hair loss may be temporary or permanent depending on the cause. About half of the hairs in an affected area need to be shed before hair loss are typically noticeable. However, when this occurs, excessive hair loss is usually visually apparent. An unusually high number of hairs discovered on a pillow or hairbrush are also common indicators that abnormal hair loss may be occurring. Androgenetic alopecia in men (male pattern hair loss) may begin as early as the teenage years (premature male pattern hair loss) and is typically defined by hair loss around the temples and crown area. This may result in partial (receding hairline) or complete baldness. Androgenetic alopecia in women (female pattern hair loss) tends to cause less hair loss, usually consisting of thinning near the front or side areas. Women with female pattern baldness rarely go completely bald and do not usually experience any significant hair loss until around the time of menopause. Alopecia areata (patchy baldness) usually occurs in small areas on the scalp and sometimes on other areas of the body such as the face. Hairs that are easily pulled or tugged out of the scalp without resistance often indicate the presence of alopecia areata. Hair loss that occurs in conjunction with an unusually stressful event (e.g., pregnancy, menopause) or serious medical condition (e.g., cancer) is usually reversible and may indicate telogen effluvium (hair loss following a stressful event). Hair loss is not usually a cause for concern. However, it can be an early sign of certain diseases (e.g., diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, and thyroid disorders). Hair loss may also develop as the result of poor nutrition (e.g., iron deficiency), skin damage or as a side effect of certain medications.