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Can Genetic Hair Loss Be Reversed

Hormone Healing Tip : Beauty Sleep

Can hair loss be reversed? – Dr. Sanjay Panicker

Poor sleep quality leads to a number of health issues, whether its stress, skin issues, energy levels or a poor immune system.

Did you know that your sleep cycle affects your hairs overall health? A good and restorative nights sleep is required for the protein synthesis of the hair and the release of enzymes and growth hormones that are necessary for overall hair health.

The way that sleep affects your bodys natural hormones is probably the most important part of preventing hair loss. Your body produces a hormone called melatonin. This hormone helps your body regulate your sleep cycle, and it has been shown to increase hair growth. If your body decreases in its melatonin levels, its possible that this could result in hair loss.

Sleep deprivation, which is so common as our female hormones decline, can eventually lead to stress, and stress has been known to result in telogen effluvium hair loss. This is when stress pushes the hair follicle into a premature resting state, which is then followed by a premature shedding phase.

I formulated GLOW PM to help with perimenopause and menopause sleep disruption and support healthy hair growth. GLOW PM contains a blend of melatonin, GABA, 5-HTP and gentle calming herbs to help melt away stress, calm the body and mind, and allow for restful sleep, night after night. And as a result, that bed-head will be fuller and thicker!

Female Hereditary Hair Loss

Female hereditary hair loss is known as female pattern baldness. Its cause is not clearly understood. It can affect women in any age but occurs more commonly after menopause. It usually begins about the age of 30, becomes noticeable about the age of 40, and more noticeable after menopause. By the age of 50 at least a quarter of women experience some degree of hair thinning.

It is also thought that female hereditary hair loss is influenced by genetics and the androgen hormones, although the link is not as strong as in male hereditary hair loss.

In female hereditary hair loss, finer hairs with less colour are produced, and hairs in the resting phase fall out more easily.

Hereditary Hair Loss: Symptoms Causes & Diagnosis

Hair loss caused by genetics usually starts with only thinning hair, possibly resulting in complete baldness, where there is only hair on the sides of the head.

Male pattern hair loss runs in the family. There are no specific ways to diagnose this kind of hair loss. But, doctors run tests and rule out other causes.

Hormones and, of course, genetics play important roles in this type of hair loss.

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Remember: To fight hair loss, you need to be patient and persistent.

There is a test to predict the chances for MAA in males. This test determines the amount of a variation in the androgen receptor gene found on the X chromosome.

This variation is responsible for how the follicle responds to dihydrotestosterone , an enzyme that interferes with the hair growth cycle.

If the test is positive, there is a 70 percent chance of developing MAA. But, if the result is negative, there is a 70 percent chance of not developing MAA.

This type of hair loss is permanent. Of course, there are ways to slow it down and perhaps, reverse the cycle. You need to start the treatment at the earlier stages of hair loss.

Read more: The Seven Stages Of Hair Loss

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Balancing Our Hair Growth Hormones

Before we talk about hair growth hormones, it is important to understand the three phases that our hair goes through The Growth Phase, The Rest Phase, and The Shedding Phase. Everyones hair goes through these three phases.

Typically, the growth phase for each hair follicle lasts 2-6 years. This is followed by a rest phase that can last anywhere from 2-12 weeks. Finally, there is the shedding phase where the hair falls out. It is normal for everyone to lose 50 to 150 hairs per day. This is not noticeable, because all of our hairs are in different phases.

The problem comes in when the growth phase gets shorter. This means that we have less time for hair to grow before it falls out. And so we shed more than we can replace.

Did you know that estrogen and progesterone, along with thyroid hormone, are actually hair growth hormones? They actually stimulate hair follicles to go into the growing phase. When estrogen and progesterone levels are optimal, we enjoy a longer growth phase for each and every hair on our head. But as we get into perimenopause and menopause, the cycle shortens and we end of losing hair faster than we are growing it.

High levels of androgens, including DHT, can shrink your hair follicles as well as shorten the hair growth cycle, causing hair to grow out looking thinner and more brittle, as well as fall out faster. DHT can also cause it to take longer for your follicles to grow new hairs once old hairs fall out.

Blame Prescription Medication For Loss Of Hair

Genetics Could Be the Reason Your Hair Is Hard to Comb

Certain prescription drugs include loss of hair among their potential side effects. Among the types of medication that can potentially cause hair loss are blood thinners, vitamin A supplements, some arthritis drugs, antidepressants, gout medication, medication for certain heart problems, blood pressure medication, and birth control pills. If a prescription medication is causing your loss of hair, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative medication.

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Fungal Infections Cause Loss Of Hair In Patches

In some cases, a scalp infection may be causing your loss of hair. Ringworm is a fungal infection that is especially common in children. Ringworm of the scalp, called tinea capitis, can cause your scalp to become scaly and your hair to fall out, usually in patches. This fungal infection is easily treated with anti-fungal medication, which will stop the loss of hair.

Can I Reverse Pattern Alopecia

When you look in the mirror, whats the first thing you notice? If youre losing your hair, chances are your eyes are fixed on your scalp and whats lacking, thinning, or receding. The good news is that youre not alone. Pattern hair loss, also known as pattern baldness, androgenic alopecia, and androgenetic alopecia, is very common around the world, affecting people of all ages. Of course, the high frequency of hair loss isnt much of a comfort for most people. Most people simply want their own hair to stop hiding and come back to the surface.

But is it possible for those suffering from pattern alopecia to reverse their hair loss? There is no easy answer to this question. In the past, the answer was a definitive no. Today, however, developments in medicine provide hope for those looking to restore their head of hair.

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Should You Get Nutrients From Food Or Supplements

In general, minerals and vitamins are easier for your body to absorb when they are found naturally in foods. That is why ensuring a good intake of some of the healthful, micronutrient-rich foods listed above is critical to slowing or reversing gray hair.

Nonetheless, many hair scientists and doctors advocate vitamins to treat graying hair. Before you start consuming supplements, you should be tested for deficiencies. Only a few nutrients have been regularly shown to prevent or reduce the onset of gray hair in supplement form.

It is not feasible to reverse white hair if the cause is genetic despite promises made online and by product marketers. Hair follicles can’t create melanin on their own once they’ve lost it. Hair turns gray as melanin production slows and then turns white when melanin production is fully stopped.

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True Or False Hair Loss Can Be Reversed

How to Reverse Hair Loss (4 Steps to STOP BALDING)

The most common form of hair loss is genetic and can affect men and women. With the vast majority of men suffering some degree of genetic hair loss over their lifetime. Not all hair loss conditions are inherited. Some hair loss conditions we can bring upon ourselves.

One form of hair loss is traction alopecia. The hair is open to excessive tension against the base of the scalp. The hair becomes weaker and finer and eventually can stop growing. Another, medically classified as trichotillomania. When the person systematically pulls their hair. Sometimes without consciously realising. If left untreated either condition can cause baldness. If severe it cannot be reversed. The damage to the hair follicles is too great.

There are autoimmune hair loss conditions. Alopecia areata. Small patches of hair loss that can develop into the more severe alopecia totalis. Can affect hair on any part of the body. There is no cure to date. Tests have been carried out on this form or hair loss. But at present, there is no treatment that can reverse this hair loss condition.

Hair loss treatments can differ for men and women. So before starting any treatment seek medical advice. A hair loss consultation can help to diagnose the hair loss condition. As well as hair loss stage. Occasionally a blood test may be required. This can confirm any deficiency that can possibly be treated. Such as anaemia or thyroid.

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Can Hereditary Hair Loss Be Cured

Male Pattern Baldness is a type of hairloss which is a result of excess male hormone . When Testosterone gets converted to dihydrotestosterone more than normal limits it causes thinning of hair which results in male pattern baldness.

DHT shrinks the hair follicle. The hair follicle therefore, gets smaller and finer. This is referred to as miniaturization of hair follicle. DHT reduces the growing phase and increases the resting phase of hair. DHT also increases the oil from oil glands to be produced in excess, so even if you are washing your hair daily it gets oily and sticky by the end of the day.

Hair follicles, which are most sensitive to DHT, are located in the front and top portion of the head. This area is most prone to hair loss. The horse-shoe shaped area covering the back and sides of the head has hair follicles that are not sensitive to the effects of DHT.

Hereditary factors, hormones, stress, chemical treatments, mismanagement of hair, dandruff, smoking, lack of sleep are known triggering for hair loss.

Krox20 Protein Scf Gene

Researchers from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have identified a protein called KROX20, which switches on cells in the skin and tells them to become hair. Furthermore, these hair precursor cells then go on to produce a protein called stem cell factor , which plays a critical role in hair pigmentation.

When the SCF gene was deleted in the hair precursor cells in mice, they grew gray hair that turned white with age. Moreover, when the KROX20-producing cells were removed, the hair ceased growing, and the mice became bald.

With this knowledge, we hope in the future to create a topical compound or to safely deliver the necessary gene to hair follicles to correct these cosmetic problems, said Dr. Lu Le, associate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern.

Future work by the team will focus on finding out whether KROX20 and the SCF gene stop functioning properly and lead to male pattern baldness.

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Trichotillomania Is An Impulse Control Disorder

Trichotillomania is a type of mental disorder known as an impulse control disorder, and is most commonly seen in teenagers, particularly teenage girls. In trichotillomania, people feel compelled to impulsively and repeatedly pull out their own hair, which can result in noticeable loss of hair. People with trichotillomania experience a constant urge to pull out the hair from their scalp, eyelashes, nose, eyebrows, and other areas of their bodies.

Myths Associated With Genetic Hair Loss

Proactively Fighting Genetics In Hair Loss

Myth 1: Genetic Hair Loss Only Happens To Men

It is estimated that nearly 30 million women in the United States alone experience female pattern baldness . They also experience more hair thinning, usually at the parting. The hair loss in women just presents differently from men.

Myth 2: Physical Activities Like Weight Training Cause Baldness

Although many studies do prove that physical activities enhance testosterone levels, there is no direct evidence that confirms a link between exercise and hair loss. It is believed that men with high testosterone levels have higher chances of male pattern baldness. However, it is important that this hair loss only occurs in men and women who are predisposed to testosterone sensitivity.

Myth 3: Baldness Is Caused By Sleep Deprivation, Stress, or Styling Options

Stress, super-tight hairstyles, and sleep deprivation can cause hair loss, but it is totally different from genetic hair loss. However, the link between these factors and hair loss are not well established.

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Combination Of Medical Medical And Surgical Therapy

An open, randomized, parallel-group study comparing the efficacy of available medications as monotherapy or combined therapy showed that finasteride in combination with either topical minoxidil or ketoconazole showed significantly better hair regrowth than with finasteride as monotherapy and showed no difference in the incidence of side effects. It is inferred that the combination of medication with different mechanisms of action enhances the efficacy . A recent case study showed that adding dutasteride 0.5mg in a patient who had poor response to finasteride had marked improvement of hair loss .

Surgical Procedures For Treating Hair Loss

Medications like finasteride and minoxidil can be highly effective at treating hair loss, provided you still have a reasonable amount of hair left.

If youve already lost a large amount of hair, using medication might help to stop your hair loss from getting worse, but its unlikely that youll experience a large amount of hair regrowth.

In short, while you might not get more bald, you generally wont go from a Norwood Type V to a Norwood Type I.

Enter hair transplantation. This surgical procedure involves removing hair follicles from the sides and back of the head , then transplanting them to areas with extensive hair loss.

The end result is the appearance of a fuller, thicker head of hair using your existing hair follicles, all without hairpieces, concealer sprays or other products used to cover up thin spots.

Unlike the hair plugs of the 80s and 90s, which were well known for creating clumps of hair that didnt look at all natural, modern hair transplant techniques allow surgeons to carefully relocate single hair follicles, creating a more natural-looking result.

If you have extensive hair loss and want to treat it for good, a hair transplant might be an option worth considering.

Like with all cosmetic surgeries, the results can vary. Some hair transplants look fantastic, while others look artificial. Theres also a chance that youll need to keep using finasteride or minoxidil after the procedure to maintain your hair, depending on the extent of your hair loss.

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Conditions Associated With Premature Graying

A great majority of gray-haired adults experience age-related graying. Graying hair can, however, be an indication of a serious illness, especially if it appears at a young age.

Premature graying of hair can be caused by various health issues, including:

  • Neurofibromatosis or von Recklinghausenâs disease: This set of hereditary illnesses causes tumors to form along nerves and can result in improper bone and skin development.
  • Tuberous sclerosis: A rare, genetic disorder that results in benign tumors in numerous organs can sometimes cause gray hair as a symptom.
  • Thyroid disease: As discussed above, any hormonal imbalance may trigger graying of hair. Both hypo and hyperthyroid conditions can lead to graying of hair.
  • Vitiligo: Melanocytes are lost or damaged in this illness, possibly, because the immune system “misfires” and targets the scalp.
  • Alopecia areata: A condition in which patches of hair, particularly colored hair, fall out suddenly. This might result in overnight graying because previously present gray or white hair becomes more visible. When hair growth begins, it may be white or gray at first, but colored hair may return later.

The primary reason for premature hair graying in a young population, according to studies, is hereditary. However, environmental factors, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies, and diseases have all been linked to this problem.

Avoid Heat Tools And Tight Hairdos

How I Hide My Thin Hair Instantly! (After reversing genetic hair loss)

You might want to put that blow dryer aside if you already have thin or brittle hair. Although its a speedy and tempting method to dry your hair, it often comes with notable negative effects that could be more detrimental than one might think. Air-drying is one way to avoid this, or using heat protectant with styling tools in moderation. Bailey says your beloved straightener might also be a culprit in hair loss or thinning which is important to note if youre a frequent user. Hair straighteners can burn the scalp and and lead to permanent hair loss and scalp scarring, she says. They are based on lye and include sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide as active ingredients. Does this mean you should throw out your straightener ASAP? Not necessarily, but using it sparingly and taking heat-protecting steps here is key. If youre someone who loves a high ponytail, classic bun or other style to get hair out of your face, just remember not to make it *too* tight. Traction alopecia is another cause of hair loss, Bailey says. Tension on hair shafts during braiding or styling gradually damages the follicle and leads to permanent hair loss. Were all guilty of putting our hair up or styling it more than we should, so remember to keep styles and hot tools in moderation to prevent further hair loss or damage.

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