Is Hair Loss In Women Different Than Men
Female-pattern baldness
Women lose hair on an inherited basis, too, but female pattern hair loss tends to be more diffuse, with less likelihood of the crown and frontal hairline being lost. Although some women may notice hair thinning as early as their 20s, the pace of hair loss tends to be gradual, often taking years to become obvious to others. There seems to be a normal physiologic thinning that comes with age and occurs in many women in their early to mid-30s. More women have underlying causes of hair loss than men. These include treatable conditions like anemia and thyroid disease and polycystic ovary syndrome . These conditions are diagnosed by blood tests along with a historical and physical evidence. Although a few studies have suggested that baldness may be inherited through the mother’s family genes, these theories require further testing. Current studies are inconclusive. Although not indicated for female pattern balding, spironolactone has had some success in treating this condition.
While stories about hats choking off follicles or long hair pulling on the roots may be more folklore, repeat hair trauma like tightly woven hair pulled back and consistent friction can potentially worsen or cause localized hair loss in some individuals. Individuals who pull their hair tightly back in a rubber band can develop a localized hair loss at the front of the scalp.
Hair loss “myths” of special concern to women
What Is Androgenetic Or Androgenic Alopecia
This type of alopecia is often attributed to genetic predisposition and family history. Androgenic alopecia appears in both men and women. The hair loss in men is often faster, earlier onset, and more extensive.
Doctors refer to common baldness as “androgenetic alopecia” or “androgenic alopecia,” which implies that a combination of hormones and heredity is necessary to develop the condition. The exact cause of this pattern is unknown.
Male-pattern baldness
Even men who never “go bald” thin out somewhat over the years. Unlike those with reversible telogen shedding, those with common male-pattern hair loss don’t notice much hair coming out they just see that it’s not there anymore. Adolescent boys notice some receding near the temples as their hairlines change from the straight-across boys’ pattern to the more “M-shaped” pattern of adult men. This normal development does not mean they are losing hair.
Some “myths” about male-pattern baldness
Reawakening Dormant Hair Follicles With New Drugs
Our previous studies implicated JAK-STAT signaling as one potential new therapeutic pathway for hair loss disorders by targeting hair follicle stem cells with JAK inhibitors, Christiano says. Here, we show that blocking the source of the JAK activating signal outside the hair follicle is another way to target this mechanism.
Most drug development has focused on treatments for male pattern hair loss, and the majority of clinical trials are conducted exclusively in men.
These new pathways may lead to new treatments for both men and women suffering from hair loss, since they appear to be acting independently of male hormone pathways, Christiano says. Especially if treatments are used topically, that could avoid the related side effects seen with finasteride and minoxidil.
Don’t Miss: How To Know What Type Of Hair Loss You Have
Hair Loss Treatments For Men In Toronto
Canadian Institute of Hair and Scalp Specialists offers a number of treatments for male pattern baldness. Our experience allows for efficient and safe procedures to be completed with lower costs to our customers. In addition to treatments, we also offer our patients a number of creams, shampoos and conditioners. Contact us for a risk-free, no-obligation consultation.
In business since August 1, 1986, I am the president and also a client at The Canadian Institute of Hair & Scalp Specialists. Having worked with a team of Doctors and Chemists over the years I have compiled a great deal of knowledge in this area, originally involved with a Pharmaceutical company manufacturing vitamins for the hair loss industry. Years ago I was fascinated by the new developments in this area as my own hair was beginning to thin. Studying Trichology at the Toronto clinic I then opened my own office and have enjoyed it ever since.
Diagnosis May Require Some Sleuthing
Diagnosis begins with a detailed patient history, possible triggering events, and a list of relatives with hair loss. Next comes an examination of the scalp. A dermatologist may perform a hair pull to see how many strands break off, or use a device to inspect hairs microscopically without removing them. The doctor may also order blood tests and check the patient for skin disorders or signs of hormonal problems .
Don’t Miss: Can Melanoma Cause Hair Loss
How To Stop Mens Hair Loss
Conventional hair loss treatments for men include medications like Rogaine , Proscar, and Propecia . While these drugs sometimes work, they often come with undesirable side effects that range from scalp irritation to impotence.
Below are three low-risk natural remedies for hair loss to consider instead.
What Really Causes Hair Loss In Men
Trying to discover the truth behind what causes mens hair loss? Along the way, youll probably run into several myths.
For instance: Youll go bald if your mothers father went bald is commonly uttered in mixed company.
Theres some logic to this claim, because the X chromosome does carry the androgen receptor genea gene implicated in male pattern baldness.
But here are three reasons to doubt it:
The truth is that mens hair loss is a complex problem with multiple sources. And though genes play a major role, there are other factors to considerlike nutrient statuswhen assessing the causes of baldness.
In this article youll learn the causes of mens hair loss, along with some potential solutions. Lets dive in.
Read Also: Does Opdivo Cause Hair Loss
What Products Stop Hair Shedding Black Hair
Black tea/coffee. Black tea and coffee conditioner can be used to reduce hair loss, and both are available. The caffeine in tea and coffee helps block DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss. Black tea contains more caffeine than coffee, which can be a deciding factor when choosing a conditioner.
How Does A Transplant Work
A doctor will move healthy hair from the back and side of your head to the top. The process can be costly, and you may need to do it a few times before it works. After 2 months, youâll shed most of what the doctor moved, but new strands will grow back. Itâll start to look normal within 6 months.
You May Like: How To Get Thinning Hair Thick Again
Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia may occur as a result of hair products or styling techniques that damage hair follicles. The use of hair relaxers, blow dryers, curling irons, and hair extensions can cause central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, as can the process of creating a permanent wave, or a perm.
The frequent application of oils, gels, or pomades can also cause this condition, which may be reversible if you stop using these hair products or styling techniques. Our dermatologists may recommend taking medication to help hair grow back.
Science Behind Hair Loss Simplified
Hair is made of keratin, a structural protein that is also found in your skin and nails too.
Produced in the hair follicles right at the outside layers of your skin, a hair strand is a product of hair follicles lifecycle.
A hair follicle is produced, then it grows for a while, then it slowly dies and new hair replaces it.
So around 50-100 hair follicles in your scalp die every day and are replaced with new ones.
When a hair follicle dies, it falls out, which is what you see when you comb through your hair. Your hair falling out is the most natural thing in the world, and as long as the new hair grows to replace the lost ones, youre OK.
You only go bald if one of these two situations are present:
1 Youre losing more hair than you can reproduce
2 Youre reproducing less hair than you lose
I know these two sound like the same thing, but theyre not.
You can either be losing hair fast or producing new hair slowly, which both result in a number of hair follicles permanently reduced.
And all the reasons behind hair loss cause either of these two situations. Identifying what it is is up to you or your dermatologist.
Now lets see all the reasons that might be causing the gap between dead and born hair follicles:
Also Check: Does Ajovy Cause Hair Loss
Causes And Treatments Of Hair Loss And Baldness In Males
Hair loss affects both men and women daily.
When you have a healthy head of hair, though, old hairs fall out and are promptly replaced by new ones.
As a result, thinning hair at the crown and other indicators of male baldness go unnoticed.
Naturally, when we use the phrase hair loss in a broad sense, were not referring to this process.
Hair loss in men is on the rise. Hair loss affects 85 percent of men by the age of fifty.
This might range from noticeable hair thinning to complete male-pattern baldness.
If you notice patches of hair falling out of your beard or other locations, you may be suffering from a more serious form of alopecia.
So, if you want to know what is the cause of hair loss in males or want to decide on why your hair is falling out from the root and what can you do, this blog is for you.
It will provide you with details that will help you in making improvements with your hair issues.
Studies Uncover New Approaches To Combat Hair Loss In Men And Women
Two recent studies highlight novel ways to combat pattern hair loss in men and women using small molecules such as JAK inhibitors that reawaken dormant hair follicles, as well as stem cell therapies aimed at growing new follicles.
In the first study, researchers led by Angela Christiano, PhD, the Richard & Mildred Rhodebeck Professor of Dermatology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, discovered previously unknown cells that keep mouse hair follicles in a resting state and show that inhibiting the activity of these cells can reawaken dormant follicles.
In a second study, Christianos team , which could open up hair restoration surgery to more people, including women, and improve the way pharmaceutical companies search for new hair-growth drugs.
You May Like: How To Fix Female Hair Loss
Hormones And Androgenetic Alopecia
The role of androgen in male pattern hair loss is well established. American anatomist James Hamilton observed that castrated males did not develop MAA unless they were supplemented with testosterone .
Measurements of serum androgens, testosterone, dihydroepiandrosterone sulphate , and free testosterone levels have failed to demonstrate a reproducible difference between cases and controls . A study that assessed different hormonal levels in MAA and age-matched controls measured elevated levels of cortisol and androstenedione in those experiencing MAA . This study further suggests a broad range of hormones may influence androgenetic alopecia. Even though scalp hair loss and hirsutism are essential features of hyperandrogenism in women, several investigations failed to demonstrate raised androgen levels in women . Therefore it is suggested that normal levels of androgens are sufficient to cause hair loss in genetically susceptible individuals.
The observation that eunuchoidal patients with androgen-insensitivity syndrome and 5 alpha-reductase deficiency do not go bald suggests that MAA is induced by activation of follicular androgen receptors by DHT . Patients affected by Kennedy’s disease, with a functional abnormality of the androgen receptor gene, have a reduced risk of MAA . Increased levels of DHT have been found in balding scalp compared to non-balding scalp .
How Common Is Male Pattern Hair Loss
Male pattern hair loss affects nearly all men at some point in their lives. It affects different populations at different rates, probably because of genetics. Up to half of male Caucasians will experience some degree of hair loss by age 50, and possibly as many as 80% by the age of 70 years, while other population groups such as Japanese and Chinese men are far less affected.
The severity of hair loss can be classified in several ways. Norwood and Sinclair systems are shown below.
Classification of male pattern alopecia
Recommended Reading: Does Wearing A Durag Cause Hair Loss
Isn’t Hair Loss Just A Cosmetic Issue
Male pattern hair loss can have a negative psychological impact. Studies have shown that hair loss can be associated with low self-esteem, depression, introversion, and feelings of unattractiveness. This is reinforced by attitudes in Western society, which place great value on youthful appearance and attractiveness. Some studies have shown that based on appearance alone, men with hair loss are seen as less attractive, less assertive, less likeable, and less successful than men without hair loss.
The Genetic Roll Of The Dice
They say you cant choose your family and the same goes for your genetics. You get what youre given and for many people , that includes Androgenetic Alopecia , more commonly known as male pattern baldness.
There are around 200 genetic markers that impact on your hair and hair growth. Your mother or your father or both pass these genes down and if youre unlucky enough to be the recipient of a particular gene thats responsible for AGA, your follicles will be more sensitive to your bodys natural hormones.
This gene progressively miniaturises the follicles and youll notice the typical pattern baldness of a receding hairline, thinning hair and/or balding at the crown.
Recommended Reading: Why Is My Hair Thinning Out So Much
Should You Wear A Hairpiece
Theyâve come a long way. It takes time and research to find the right one, though, because thereâs a wide range in cost and quality. And hairpieces also need regular maintenance, which can run between $60 and $300 per month. When you’re shopping for one, try to match your own hair color, thickness, and curl.
Nutrition And Hair Loss
This cannot be said enoughnutrition is critical for hair growth. According to Dr. Shah, no other part of the body grows at the degree of half an inch per month, aside from the bone marrow, so you have to feed it.
Ideally, the relationship between human hair and food is pretty simple hair consists of a protein known as keratin. Therefore, its vital that you add an adequate amount of protein in your diet.
A low-protein food compels your body to reserve the available protein for other aims such as the rebuilding of cells, thereby denying hair of it.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology:
Fortunately, there are a lot of fantastic sources of protein around us today, including eggs, fish, and meat.
Dr. Shah equally confirmed that paneer, spinach, walnuts, almonds, milk, and tofu are hair-improvement foods. Green tea equally great because it helps to blocks out Dihydrotestosterone , which is the hormone that causes hair loss.
Meanwhile, apart from the ones mentioned above, here are 17 other Vegan and Vegetarian Protein Sources, if you dont eat meat or animal products.
Also Check: What Chemical In Shampoo Causes Hair Loss