Hair Loss

Hair loss due to genetics is the most common cause of hair loss. It is not really a disease, but a physical condition caused by a combination of genetics, hormone levels and the aging process.

Contrary to popular belief that it’s the hat or helmet you wear, the shampoo or the fact that you dye your hair, your parents’ genes play a very important role and may be responsible for thinning hair. These genes combined with hormones and environmental factors are what set the stage for possible hair loss and baldness.

However, the exact mode of inheritance and the relative importance of each parent is still unclear. Both men and women experience this type of hair loss, which is the most common cause of hair loss worldwide.

• In men, it is called male pattern hair loss.
• Women suffer female pattern hair loss.

Regardless of whether it develops in men or women, the medical term is androgenetic alopecia, which is also known as MPB (male-pattern baldness).

Regardless of the term you use, the genes you inherit cause your hair follicles, in which hair grows, to shrink and eventually stop growing hair. The shrinkage can start as early as puberty, but usually begins at a much older age.

When a man has hereditary hair loss, the first sign is often a receding hairline at the front of the head or a bald spot at the top.

In women, the first sign of hereditary hair loss is usually total thinning or enlargement of the parting line.

Certain diseases can also cause hair loss, such as eating disorders, iron deficiency anaemia, diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as lupus and alopecia areata, and skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis.

Other cases are due to scalp diseases such as fungal infections, bursitis and other inflammations.

If you are experiencing hair loss, talk to your doctor to rule out the culpability of such diseases.

Hair loss may be due to side effects of certain medications used for acne, cancer, arthritis, gout, heart problems, high blood pressure and depression. Also if you exercise, any anabolic steroids you take may cause you to lose more hair.

The severity of hair loss depends on the type of drug and dosage, as well as your sensitivity to that drug. However, in most cases, hair loss is reversible once you stop taking the drug.
Hair loss also occurs after chemotherapy, radiation therapy and drug treatments, and in chronic conditions.

If you are currently taking any of these medications and find that you are experiencing hair loss, consult your doctor. Remember, never stop taking a medication before discussing it with your doctor.

Thyroid hormones

Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, i.e. the production of more or less hormones in the thyroid than normal, can cause a hormonal imbalance. Similarly, hyperparathyroidism, which is the pathological condition caused by the overactivity of one or more of the 4 parathyroid glands is also associated with hair loss.

Controlling any of these thyroid conditions with proper treatment can bring hormones under control, prevent hair loss and restore hair growth.

Hormonal changes in women

In women, major hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, lactation, menstrual disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome and menopause, can cause severe hair loss, which is reversible in most cases..

Hormonal imbalances that occur after pregnancy and childbirth can cause hair loss. It takes some time after pregnancy for hormone levels to return to normal, so it is not uncommon for mothers to notice thinning hair or even baldness after childbirth. This usually happens around 3 months after the baby is born. Don’t worry, as the rest of your body recovers, so will your hair follicles. The hair loss is only temporary and your hair will grow back.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Another common cause of hormonal imbalance that causes hair loss is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which creates cysts in a woman’s ovaries. These cysts, although not dangerous, limit the production of estrogen, resulting in the female body’s testosterone levels increasing, increasing androgen levels.

Discontinuing certain types of contraceptive drugs can cause a temporary hormonal imbalance. Women who develop a hormonal imbalance may experience hair thinning (or hair loss) on their scalp.

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are associated with male characteristics but also play a large role in androgenetic alopecia.

In the body, testosterone is converted to its most “active” form, dihydrotestosterone, by means of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Dihydrotestosterone acts on various organs in the body, including the hair follicles. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone 3 times more in the frontal than in the occipital region.

It is not dihydrotestosterone production itself that causes hair loss, but hereditary susceptibility to it. Men with genetically high sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone will experience earlier weakening in their hair follicles. Essentially, dihydrotestosterone shrinks hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle. This makes hair grow and look thinner and more fragile, as well as fall out faster. It can also slow down the growth of new hair in the follicles when old hair falls out.

Certain habits can increase dihydrotestosterone levels. Sometimes the desire to get stronger in the gym works against people who are susceptible to androgenetic alopecia. Engaging in behaviors that increase dihydrotestosterone production, such as taking creatine supplements, weight training, or taking anabolic steroids have the potential to increase hair loss.

Scientific studies have shown that prolonged stress can contribute to some hair loss conditions. When the body undergoes severe physical stress, such as in a serious accident, surgery, burns or severe illness, hair follicles can be shocked. The natural cycle of hair growth can be disrupted, resulting in hair loss, starting with thinning hair. Such stress can result in up to 75% of hair falling out, sometimes a few months after the event.

Emotional stress can also lead to hair loss. When faced with a life-changing event, such as psychological stress over a divorce, separation or poor family circumstances, unemployment or other financial problems, loss of a home, serious illness or death of a loved one, or depression, major emotional stress can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Major emotional stressors can cause temporary hair loss, but once the stress is brought under control, normal hair growth is usually restored.

There are many long-term observations and statistical studies that prove that stress can lead to hair loss. However, scientists have yet to fully decode the biological mechanism by which chronic stress damages hair follicle stem cells. According to recent Harvard University research, stress causes disruptions in stress-related hormones, specifically an increase in levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol prolongs the resting phase of the hair follicles or even brings the hair follicles back into this phase. As a result, the hairs loosen out of place and fall out.

Localized and usually permanent hair loss may occur in cases of traumatic alopecia, as a consequence of trauma or burns to the scalp, face or body.
Traumatic alopecia hair loss also includes traction hair loss and trichotillomania.

Traction alopecia occurs in cases where excessive hair pulling is done in various hairstyles and aggravating hairdressing processes such as ponytails, tight buns, braids, extensions, etc.

Trichotillomania is the condition where some people unconsciously pull or even pluck their hair. The main cause of trichotillomania is stress and anxiety. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence and can last for several months or many years. Most people pull the hair on the head, but some also pull the hair from the beard, eyebrows or eyelashes.

Poor diet or a depleting diet intensifies the problem of hair loss. Lack of proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and trace elements – minerals such as zinc or iron, especially if continued over an extended period of time, can lead to diffuse alopecia. Fortunately this condition is generally reversible and adopting healthier, less restrictive eating habits will allow your hair to grow back.

Modern environmental living conditions can accelerate hair loss. Exposure to dust and pollution, excessive sun exposure and frequent contact with seawater or chlorinated water or even acidic rainwater can lead to thinning hair.

Whether you have androgenetic alopecia or not, thinning and hair loss is a normal part of aging for everyone. This does not mean that you will lose all of your hair as a result of aging. However, as the hormones in the body change with age, the natural rate of hair growth slows down and the number of hairs on your head will decrease.

And of course, this is not a “privilege” of men… It is also experienced by women who, especially after menopause and as they grow older, experience problems of severe hair loss and thinning of their hair.

Another common cause of hormonal imbalance that causes hair loss is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which creates cysts in a woman’s ovaries. These cysts, although not dangerous, limit the production of estrogen, which results in the female body’s testosterone levels increasing, increasing androgen levels.

Discontinuing certain types of contraceptive drugs can cause a temporary hormonal imbalance. Women who develop a hormonal imbalance may experience hair thinning (or hair loss) on their scalp.

It helps to reveal medical conditions or lack of vitamins or other components that may contribute to hair loss.

The dermatologist gently pulls out several dozen hairs to see how many come out. This helps determine the stage of hair loss.

Taking samples of skin or hair removed from the scalp to determine if an infection is causing hair loss.

Examination with a special microscope to identify possible disorders of the hair shaft.

The most modern diagnostic method with microcamera and special computer software for monitoring response to treatment and accurate measurement of hair density and diameter.

The gene screening test is done to determine the presence of genes in the patient’s DNA that are associated with the possibility of androgenetic alopecia.