It is normal for a person to lose 50 to 100 hairs in a single day, notes MayoClinic.com. It is also completely normal for a person's hair to thin with aging. However, many people are affected with premature hair loss called alopecia. There are different types of alopecia, but the most common forms are androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, and alopecia areata, which results in patchy hair loss on the body.
Thankfully, for those suffering from alopecia baldness, there are treatments available.
Significance
Androgenetic alopecia affects 50 percent of men at some point in their lives, notes Medical News Today, and the condition is permanent. It is caused by a male androgen hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which shortens the growth phase and shrinks the hair follicle, making the hair finer and finer until complete loss occurs.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, caused by the body attacking its own cells. Thought to be hereditary, it can be triggered by environmental factors such as stress.
Self-Treatments
The over-the-counter medication minoxidil comes in the forms of a lotion or foam that is massaged into the scalp twice daily. It can be used to treat both alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. MayoClinic.com notes that minoxidil, often known by the brand name Rogaine, can prevent further hair loss and, in some cases, cause regrowth.
Finasteride, also known by the commercial name Propecia, is a prescription medication in pill form to be taken once a day for androgenetic alopecia. After several months it can stop hair loss in most users and cause regrowth in some.
Surgery
Scalp reduction and hair transplant surgeries are options for those with more advanced stages of male pattern baldness. Hair transplant techniques involve cutting small segments of hair-rich scalp from the sides and back of the head and inserting them into balding areas. Scalp reduction surgery cuts out segments of bald scalp and then fills the gap by stretching hair-rich scalp over the gap.
Other Forms
Other types of alopecia are cicatricial and traction alopecia. Cicatrical alopecia occurs when the hair follicles are damaged and sometimes scarred by skin conditions that cause inflammation in the scalp. The condition is permanent and its cause is unknown. Excessively tight hairstyles that cause too much tension in the hair follicles can cause traction alopecia. This alopecia can also be permanent if too much damage has been done to the follicles.
Considerations
Minoxidil can cause irritation to the scalp. Finasteride should not be taken, or even handled, by women because it can cause serious harm and result in birth defects. It can also cause reduced sex drive in one in every 50 men, notes Medical News Today. Surgical treatment can take many months to show positive results and can cause scarring.
If your hair loss is bothering you, consult your doctor to discuss the best course of action to take.
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