Understanding Hair
Valued member
While not an exhaustive list, it covers many hair loss conditions that men and women suffer from.
Most Common Cause: Male Pattern Baldness
Over two thirds of men with thinning hair can blame it on the genetic condition male pattern baldness (MPB). Male baldness affects over 25% of men in their 20’s, with the hair loss pattern tending to be progressive and slow, often following a similar pattern to other male family members. It´s possible to suffer male pattern baldness even though your parents have full heads of hair. This is due to a process known as a spontaneous mutation. Whereby the genetic information changes at conception.
Genetic hair loss is the result of an active enzyme (5Alpha reductase) converting quantities of testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT attaches to the hair follicles that are not immune from the hair loss gene and triggers MPB. The hair around the back and sides is immune from the hair loss gene, whereas hair over the top of the head is less so. The Norwood Scale is a classification of MPB stages for men that tracks from remedial thinning (NW1) to progressive hair loss (NW7). Later updates categorised crown or vertex hair loss, depicted with a “V” in the classification scale, for instance NW3V.
Female Hair Loss
Female pattern baldness – FPB in women can start as early as puberty. Up to 50% of women over their lifetime suffer a degree of hair loss due to genetic factors.
Other, less common hair loss conditions and causes (no specific order)
A maturing hairline
As we age, from teens into the twenties our hair naturally changes or “matures,” due to changes in the hormone level in our bodies. Our body changes can include our voice breaking, muscle definition, but with respect to our hair, the height, shape, texture, or coarseness can change. This maturing of the hairline is perfectly normal and does not indicate the start of male pattern hair loss. That said, and especially if male pattern baldness is prevalent in your family the two can coincide.
Alopecia areata
Patchy, spot baldness, or alopecia areata, and more aggressive forms such as alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis (AU). Hair loss from all areas of the body. This can begin in the form of small round patches. Over time it can spread as the spots overlap to form larger areas. Alopecia areata, including the other variants, considered to be an autoimmune disease. Resulting from a breach in the immune system turning on the hair follicles shut down.
Scarring alopecia
A disease that destroys your hair follicles and makes scar tissue form in their place. Hair will often not grow back. Cicatricial Alopecia is also scarring alopecia. The condition caused by a collection of skin disorders. They can gradually reduce the healthy hair growth over the scalp, resulting in scar tissue.
Traction alopecia
The hair is open to excessive tension against the base of the scalp. This result from hairstyles such as tight braids or a ponytail. Over time the hair becomes weaker and finer in calibre. Eventually, this can stop hair growth. If acted upon early hair growth can recover to a degree but it can lead to permanent damage. A similar hair loss condition, medically classified as trichotillomania. This is when the person systematically pulls out their hair. It can occur without consciously realising.
Increased hair shedding, often related to stress, but not exclusively
Telogen effluvium hair loss condition, when the hair sheds prematurely. Putting the hair follicle into the resting state. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic. If there´s a “shock to the system,” up to 70% of scalp hairs shed. This can occur in large numbers about 2 months after the “shock”. It normally only lasts for a period of months.
DUPA
Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia or “DUPA“. This hair loss condition affects around 2-6 % of men. Individuals with DUPA develop hair thinning throughout their entire head of hair. The top, back, and sides are all affected. With DUPA, hairs on the scalp are undergoing miniaturisation. As a result, the hairs reduce in calibre or diameter. This often coincides with the hairs becoming stunted or shorter in length.
Medical conditions, procedures, medications
Conditions such as anaemia or a thyroid problem are common causes of an imbalance in the hair growth cycle and can lead to permanent hair loss or thinning. Medical treatments prescribed or not can have hair loss as a side-effect. For this reason, always consult your specialist if you have any concerns. Treatments that may affect your hair growth can include acne medications, antibiotics, anti-coagulation, chemotherapy, and antidepressants. Medications, such as blood thinners, high doses of vitamin A, and steroids, taken to help build muscle, called anabolic steroids. Malnutrition, crash diets, and poor eating habits, protein deficiencies can lead to hair loss.
Genetic hair loss, medication induced, self-induced or any of cause of hair loss, it´s important to research the right treatment for the condition. Not what you want or like the sound of, but what is best to deal with the hair loss cause and condition. There are a variety of cosmetic, medical, therapies, and surgical options to research. All have pros and cons depending on the hair loss type, and the goals.
Most Common Cause: Male Pattern Baldness
Over two thirds of men with thinning hair can blame it on the genetic condition male pattern baldness (MPB). Male baldness affects over 25% of men in their 20’s, with the hair loss pattern tending to be progressive and slow, often following a similar pattern to other male family members. It´s possible to suffer male pattern baldness even though your parents have full heads of hair. This is due to a process known as a spontaneous mutation. Whereby the genetic information changes at conception.
Genetic hair loss is the result of an active enzyme (5Alpha reductase) converting quantities of testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT attaches to the hair follicles that are not immune from the hair loss gene and triggers MPB. The hair around the back and sides is immune from the hair loss gene, whereas hair over the top of the head is less so. The Norwood Scale is a classification of MPB stages for men that tracks from remedial thinning (NW1) to progressive hair loss (NW7). Later updates categorised crown or vertex hair loss, depicted with a “V” in the classification scale, for instance NW3V.
Female Hair Loss
Female pattern baldness – FPB in women can start as early as puberty. Up to 50% of women over their lifetime suffer a degree of hair loss due to genetic factors.
Other, less common hair loss conditions and causes (no specific order)
A maturing hairline
As we age, from teens into the twenties our hair naturally changes or “matures,” due to changes in the hormone level in our bodies. Our body changes can include our voice breaking, muscle definition, but with respect to our hair, the height, shape, texture, or coarseness can change. This maturing of the hairline is perfectly normal and does not indicate the start of male pattern hair loss. That said, and especially if male pattern baldness is prevalent in your family the two can coincide.
Alopecia areata
Patchy, spot baldness, or alopecia areata, and more aggressive forms such as alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis (AU). Hair loss from all areas of the body. This can begin in the form of small round patches. Over time it can spread as the spots overlap to form larger areas. Alopecia areata, including the other variants, considered to be an autoimmune disease. Resulting from a breach in the immune system turning on the hair follicles shut down.
Scarring alopecia
A disease that destroys your hair follicles and makes scar tissue form in their place. Hair will often not grow back. Cicatricial Alopecia is also scarring alopecia. The condition caused by a collection of skin disorders. They can gradually reduce the healthy hair growth over the scalp, resulting in scar tissue.
Traction alopecia
The hair is open to excessive tension against the base of the scalp. This result from hairstyles such as tight braids or a ponytail. Over time the hair becomes weaker and finer in calibre. Eventually, this can stop hair growth. If acted upon early hair growth can recover to a degree but it can lead to permanent damage. A similar hair loss condition, medically classified as trichotillomania. This is when the person systematically pulls out their hair. It can occur without consciously realising.
Increased hair shedding, often related to stress, but not exclusively
Telogen effluvium hair loss condition, when the hair sheds prematurely. Putting the hair follicle into the resting state. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic. If there´s a “shock to the system,” up to 70% of scalp hairs shed. This can occur in large numbers about 2 months after the “shock”. It normally only lasts for a period of months.
DUPA
Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia or “DUPA“. This hair loss condition affects around 2-6 % of men. Individuals with DUPA develop hair thinning throughout their entire head of hair. The top, back, and sides are all affected. With DUPA, hairs on the scalp are undergoing miniaturisation. As a result, the hairs reduce in calibre or diameter. This often coincides with the hairs becoming stunted or shorter in length.
Medical conditions, procedures, medications
Conditions such as anaemia or a thyroid problem are common causes of an imbalance in the hair growth cycle and can lead to permanent hair loss or thinning. Medical treatments prescribed or not can have hair loss as a side-effect. For this reason, always consult your specialist if you have any concerns. Treatments that may affect your hair growth can include acne medications, antibiotics, anti-coagulation, chemotherapy, and antidepressants. Medications, such as blood thinners, high doses of vitamin A, and steroids, taken to help build muscle, called anabolic steroids. Malnutrition, crash diets, and poor eating habits, protein deficiencies can lead to hair loss.
Genetic hair loss, medication induced, self-induced or any of cause of hair loss, it´s important to research the right treatment for the condition. Not what you want or like the sound of, but what is best to deal with the hair loss cause and condition. There are a variety of cosmetic, medical, therapies, and surgical options to research. All have pros and cons depending on the hair loss type, and the goals.
