Hair originates in the dermis, the skin layer just below the surface layer
(epidermis). For more information on
hair.
Baldness (alopecia), or severe hair loss, is much more common in men than in women. It can
result from genetic factors, aging, local skin conditions, and diseases that affect the
body generally (systemic diseases). Some medications, such as those used to treat cancer,
also cause hair loss.
Male-pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss affecting men.
It's rare in women and children because it depends on the presence of the male hormones
(androgens), and levels of these hormones are high in males after puberty. Baldness runs
in families. The hair loss usually begins on the sides, near the front, or on the top of
the head toward the back. The hair loss can begin at any age, even in the middle teen
years. Some people lose only some hair and develop a bald spot in the back or a receding
hairline; others, especially people whose hair loss begins at a young age, may go
completely bald.
Female-pattern baldness is less common than male-pattern baldness.
Usually, this condition causes the hair to thin in the front, on the sides, or on the
crown. It rarely progresses to total hair loss.
Most types of baldness have no cure. A person with male-pattern or
female-pattern baldness may undergo hair transplantation, in which hair follicles are
removed from one part of the body and transplanted. Some medications, such as topical
minoxidil, may promote hair growth in a small percentage of people. The oral drug
finasteride may also promote hair growth. Finsateride is available as Propecia 1 mg, or as
Proscar 5 mg (used for enlarged prostate). It is cheaper to buy Proscar 5 mg and bite off
about a fifth a day instead of buying Propecia since Proscar is only slightly more
expensive than Propecia but it has 5 times as much finasteride.
Minoxidil may also be helpful at 2% for women
and 5% for men, used topically.
Natural Therapies that may be helpful for healthy hair
growth
A molecule produced in the intestine when soy is digested stops a hormone which
can fuel prostate growth or cause baldness. Writing in the journal Biology of
Reproduction, they said the finding could explain why Japanese men, who eat more
soy, rarely have prostate cancer. They said the molecule could be used as a
treatment for cancer and baldness. The team found that the molecule, equol,
"handcuffs" the male hormone DHT - a by-product of testosterone. The researchers
say this could be particularly important for men who have been diagnosed with
either an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or cancer of the
prostate. DHT has also been implicated in research into the causes of male
pattern baldness.
Shaving and hair growth
Q. Does shaving make hair grow back faster or thicker?
A. Shaving has no effect on the thickness or rate of hair regrowth.
But stubble lacks the finer taper of unshaven hair, giving the impression of
coarseness.
Hair loss in Japanese women
Characteristic features of Japanese women's hair with aging and with progressing
hair loss.
J Dermatol Sci. 2006 Dec 9; Shiseido Research Center, 2-2-1 Hayabuchi,
Tsuzuki, Yokohama 224-8558, Kanagawa, Japan.
There have been few studies of the features of hair with aging and hair loss in
Japanese women. Features of Japanese women's hair with aging and with
progressing hair loss were investigated. Japanese women with hair loss or with
no or less hair loss), aged 14-68 years, were studied. Severity of hair loss was
rated by visual comparison with six standard photographs. Hair density, hair
growth rate, and hair diameter were analyzed by phototrichogram. Hair loss in
Japanese women is commonly characterized by a diffuse central pattern occurring
after approximately 40 years of age. Hair density declines with age after the
40s. The reduction resulted from an increase in the number of one-haired
follicular units and a reduction of three- and more-haired follicular units.
Both the ratio and the growth rate of anagen hair also declined with age after
the 40s. Mean hair diameter and the ratio of thick hairs increased with age from
about 10 to 40 years, and decreased with progressing hair loss. There were few
vellus-like hairs in women with hair loss, in comparison with male-pattern
baldness. In Japanese middle-aged women, hair density declined with age without
the appearance of hair loss. Hair loss appeared after approximately 40 years of
age. The major causes might be reduction of hair density and the ratio of thick
hairs, but not an increase of vellus-like hairs.
Emails regarding hair
Q. I am 38 and searched the internet for info on herbal
remedies to prevent hair loss. I found anecdotal references on benefits of saw palmetto,
zinc, and vitamin B6 p-5-p (pyrodoxal, not pyrodoxine). All three were indicated to fight
the effects of DHT's reaction with 5-alpha reductase which can have a harmful effect on
hair follicles and cause hair loss. Have you heard anything more "official" on
these three supplements for stopping hair loss?
A. As far as we know, there are, as of now, no proven herbal
or nutritional therapies for androgenetic hair loss. Some over the counter hormones, such
as DHEA, androstendione, and pregnenolone may cause hair loss in some individuals. I am
hoping that future research will indicate that certain herbs or supplements are helpful
(one possibility is equol (see above),
but in the meantime we do know that pharmaceutical medicines such as finasteride
pills do help, but with slight side effects of potential lower sex drive.
Hair Loss questions
Q. I have just started taking 25mg of dhea prescribed by my physican after a
series of blood tests. The side effect of hair loss is a concern for me as I
have already got thinning hair and I'm a woman. How long will it take for me to
notice this DHEA hair loss side effect and does it happen in everyone taking
this amount.
A. The hair loss side effects from DHEA can come within a few weeks
and it occurs in most people but not everyone.
Q. I am working on an article for a health magazine
about hair loss and how men can keep their hair and scalp healthy before they
start to go bald. I’d love to find out what guys can do now to prevent hair loss
later in life. So any tips you might have, from nutrition to hair care, I’d love
to hear them! We're looking for things that aren't commonly known. I know there
are a slew of nutrients and dietary recommendations floating out here online,
but what do you recommend? What are the most important and why? How do they help
keep hair healthy? What about soy? I have heard it can counteract DHT.
A. Hair loss in men is mostly due to genetics. We all know people
who eat a terrible diet with tons of fast foods and soft drinks, yet they have a
full head of hair while others watch their meal selection carefully and choose
healthy foods on a regular basis but still can's stop their hair loss. Although
genetics has most of the influence, it is possible that a low inflammatory diet
over the long run could be of benefit. This low inflammatory diet would have a
high intake of fish and fish oils, a high intake of all sorts of vegetables and
whole grains, and a low intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates.
Q. Is it ok, to take saw palmetto
if you are breast feeding? My son is three months old and my hair is really
starting to fall out and I am trying to find something that will stop it.
A. We have not seen any studies regarding saw palmetto use and
breastfeeding. It is probably safe but we can't say for certain. We don't think
saw palmetto has much of an effect by itself on hair growth.
Q. After viewing info, I found
that you do not have a product to restore hair or prevent hair loss. Is there a
list of DHT
blockers available that are effective against hair loss, or are any products or
combination of products effective in this area?
A. We have not found a proven hair growth product and until we do,
we don't feel comfortable having consumers waste their money. But, we are
constantly searching for an effective natural hair growth product.
Q. I was on a weight loss program called Transformations about a year ago. It incorporates a low-calorie diet along with injections of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone (HCG). I did very well on the program and lost 27 pounds. Around that same time I discontinued using Estrogen patches (Vivelle). I had a complete hysterectomy 10 years ago, ovaries removed. I have noticed over the past year that my hair seems to be thinning. I have gained the weight back and want to go on the weight loss program again, but I'm concerned whether the HCG could have had anything to do with my hair thinning. My dermatologist says it was stopping the estrogen because estrogen helps to protect hair. I stopped the estrogen because strokes run in my family and I had been on the patches for 10 years. I do have hot flashes and it can be 20 degrees outside and I'm always hot. I would consider going back on the estrogen but if for some reason I stopped it again...would I lose hair again? Do you think it was the estrogen or HCG that caused the hair loss?
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