Androgenetic Alopecia: Causes & Treatment
Hair loss of a few hairs per day is typical. But significant hair loss could be uncomfortable and disturbing, making you feel insecure. Our comprehensive guide on androgenetic alopecia contains all the information you need, along with helpful tips on how to stop hair loss.
What is Androgenetic Alopecia1?
Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by unusual hair loss. Unlike hair that naturally sheds as part of the hair renewal process, hair that is lost as a result of androgenetic alopecia is not intended to grow back. A person typically loses 50–100 hairs per day. When a scalp area loses more hair than the rest of the head or when hair loss approaches 100 hairs per day, it can be considered pathological. This condition is known as alopecia.
Alopecia comes in a variety of forms, such as androgenetic, scarring, and traction alopecia. Because it is brought on by hormones, androgenetic alopecia is distinct because it causes women's and men's hair to thin out and gradually disappear from the vertex, crown, and temples, respectively. Hair loss happens gradually and unevenly.
Sometimes androgenetic alopecia is confused with other types of hair loss, like telogen effluvium, which goes away on its own, and alopecia, which results in abrupt patchy hair loss and requires treatment.
What are the Causes of Androgenetic Alopecia?
Androgenetic alopecia results from genetic and hormonal causes in both cases, despite the fact that it manifests differently in men and women.
Androgenetic Alopecia in Men2
A hereditary susceptibility and the effects of androgens, or male sex hormones, cause androgenetic alopecia. The hair follicles on the scalp are genetically predisposed to being particularly vulnerable to the effects of androgens, specifically the chemical generated from testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The cycle of hair growth is impacted by this hormone's action.
DHT shortens some hair follicles' hair cycles in cases of androgenetic alopecia, accelerating the process of hair growth. This causes the hair to thin out and causes the capital in the hair to be depleted. The follicle will eventually expire and vanish.
Androgenetic Alopecia in Women3
Women have lesser quantities of androgen, which may explain why androgenetic alopecia affects them less frequently. Female androgenetic alopecia results from increased sensitivity of the hair roots to male hormones and a genetic predisposition to this stimulation.
Male hormones are secreted by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It occurs at far lower levels than in men and is completely natural. However, even this lower quantity of androgens might result in hair loss if a genetic predisposition is present. Similar accelerated hair growth cycles result in early hair follicle depletion.
What are the Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia4?
Several medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures are available for both men and women to normalize hair loss, repair it, or at least temporarily lessen its consequences.
Medication
There are several ways to slow the spread of androgenetic alopecia. These remedies work to counteract the effects of dihydrotestosterone while stimulating hair follicles.
To normalize the hair cycle in women, minoxidil5 is frequently administered during the first stages of alopecia. Benefit from Regaine® for women regular strength solution to administer the proper dosage of minoxidil to your hair. Along with this product, you may wish to take anti-androgenic hormone therapy in some circumstances. Minoxidil can also benefit men; you can choose Regaine® for men extra strength scalp solution to help with hair loss. In addition to minoxidil, finasteride6 is also a popular therapy for men. By preventing testosterone from becoming dihydrotestosterone, this drug reduces hair loss.
Hair Transplants
Significant technological advancements in hair transplants have produced amazing, natural-looking, and undetectable results. To combat androgenetic alopecia and regrow dense, long-lasting hair, a variety of hair transplant procedures can be suggested.
Cosmetic Procedures
Although androgenetic alopecia can be concealed with cosmetics and wigs, their drawback is that they are unnatural and quite obvious. The best option for those looking to treat androgenetic alopecia cosmetically is still hair micro pigmentation.
Dermo-pigmentation, commonly known as hair micro pigmentation7, is a method of tattooing hair. It is based on the injection of microscopic organic pigments into the scalp's epidermis' outer layer. To imitate fresh hair growth and give the appearance that someone has chosen to shave their head. This approach is specially designed for males who have gone completely bald. This technique is much like a permanent makeup method.
In conclusion, both men and women are equally affected by progressive hair loss. The majority of hair loss cases are caused by androgenetic alopecia. Other names for androgenetic alopecia include "male pattern hair loss" and "female pattern hair loss." Many people find hair loss to be an upsetting experience. There are, thankfully, treatments that can increase hair growth or prevent future baldness.
