Hair loss prevention guide approved by expert

Losing hair is a normal physiological process.

It is normal for both men and women to lose approximately 100 hairs from their scalp, every day.

The average scalp contains about 100 000 hairs/hair follicles. Each hair survives for an average of 4½ years during which time it grows on average 1cm a month.

Usually in its fifth year, the hair falls out and is replaced within six months by new ones.

As stated by Sinclair Aesthetics, this is the case when there is no underlying condition that accelerates its loss and slows its replacement.

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Since each follicle typically regenerates every two to six years, baldness is a slow but continual physiological process that results in patches of baldness on the scalp connecting with other patches to form a new, reduced, hairline.

Hair loss usually develops gradually causing patchiness and, eventually leading to baldness. Genetic hair loss refers to the body’s failure to produce new hair.

Several disease processes, pregnancy, stress, hair treatments for example braiding and bleaching and hormone levels (during menopause or testosterone levels), can significantly speed up hair thinning and eventually, loss.

Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or “pattern baldness” affects many more men than women, every year.

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About 5% of men begin to lose their hair by the time they are 30 years old and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.

The condition, namely Alopecia, affects both genders and is starting earlier than before.

Causes of hair loss, temporary or chronic, is common and often caused by the body reacting to:

• Hormonal changes, such as those that take place when a woman is pregnant.

• A short-term illness, such as a severe infection or an operation.

• A long-term illness, such as cancer, liver disease, or Thyroid disease.

• Changes in your diet, such as crash dieting.

• Medications, such as anticoagulants (medicines that reduce the ability of your blood to clot) or beta-blockers (used to treat several conditions, such as high blood pressure).

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• Male and female pattern baldness linked to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Male-pattern and female-pattern baldness is caused by oversensitive hair follicles. DHT is made from the male hormone testosterone.

If there is too much DHT, the follicles react to it. The hair becomes thinner and grows for a shorter length of time than normal.

• Immune system imbalances.

• Genetics. It is thought that some people may be genetically predisposed (susceptible) to hair loss.

This list is not exhaustive as so many issues can lead to hair loss.

The typical male baldness pattern involves a receding hairline and thinning around the crown with eventual bald spots.
Ultimately, you may have only a horseshoe ring of hair around the sides.

In addition to genes, male-pattern baldness seems to require the presence of the male hormone (testosterone).

Some women also develop a particular pattern of hair loss due to genetics, age and male hormones that tend to increase in women after menopause.

The pattern is slightly different from that of men, but can often look similar.

Female pattern baldness involves a thinning throughout the scalp while the frontal hairline generally remains intact.

Fortunately, these days there are several effective treatments to either prevent hair thinning and loss or treat existing Alopecia.

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Although there are a plethora of products out there, it is impossible to choose or know what really works. Visiting a doctor who treats hair loss helps determine what would be best for you.

Here is a synopsis of some products that are effective and safe, as a guide provided by Sinclair Aesthetics:
Oral supplements:

• Advanced Collagen Pro-Active: This oral supplement has been found through clinical studies, to increase hair growth up to 45% and improves hair strength and softness. Effects are, in most patients seen from the second month of its use and increase exponentially thereafter and work for men and women.

• Folic acid

• Biotin

Topical shampoos (it depends on the cause of the Alopecia) but in general:

• Hair products

• Pelo Baum products are available in doctor practices mostly.

There are products available over the counter in salons and pharmacies as well.

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Prescription medications: These can be used sometimes as a last resort and also if an underlying medical condition has been diagnosed these must be treated at the same time. This should be discussed with your doctor.
In-office therapies are also available.

Injectable treatments:

Hair filler: This increases the circulation to the affected area, stimulating further blood vessel growth in the treated area.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): This involves drawing blood from the patient, harvesting the plasma from the spun blood and injecting it into the affected area.

Use of topical minoxidil (different percentages are available and are only prescribed by a doctor).

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In more severe cases, hair transplants are also an option but are sometimes used once other options have been tried and failed or given sub-optimal results.

This is only performed by certain qualified doctors who specialise in this field.

Most treatment modalities increase the blood flow and circulation in the scalp. This increase in blood flow is crucial to promoting a healthy hair follicle.

It brings important nutrients into the follicle while taking away harmful waste products such as DHT.

• Information provided by Dr Julie Sinclair