Solutions to combat hair loss
Have you noticed your hair thinning out? There are a number of possible culprits, from hormonal imbalance to disease. Thankfully, in almost all cases, there is a solution.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
This is the most common form of hair loss in women, and it’s equivalent to male pattern hair loss, or balding.
“It is commonly thinning in the upper scalp but it can extend partly into the lower scalp too,” explains hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Russell Knudson. “Typically one area doesn’t go bald; rather one area just thins out. Women don’t recede at the hairline, they tend to keep the hairline and go thin behind it.”
The likely cause in this case is a genetic predisposition that triggers overproduction of the male hormone testosterone, says Dr. Knudson. “It is inherited from either side of the family.”
Initial treatment comes in the form of a prescription medicine, which blocks the androgen receptors and prevents testosterone binding to them. “We then administer a Minoxidil solution, also known as Regaine, which stimulates new hair growth. “
“Women are also suitable for hair transplant for this condition provided they have sufficient healthy hair on the lower part of the scalp.”
Thyroid Conditions
An underactive thyroid – a condition known as hypothyroid, can cause thinning all over the scalp, says Dr. Knudson. “It is reversible by treating the thyroid gland,” he explains.
“We can also use an oral Minoxidal, which will generally thicken the hair all over the body. In such cases, women will need to wax other areas of the body, but many feel it is worth it for a better head of hair.”
Alopecia Areata
This is thought to be an autoimmune condition, where the body switches off the hair follicle. “You end up with no hair at all, like Peter Garrett,” says Dr. Knudsen. “There are three different degrees of the condition. The first is where small patches of hair are lost. The second is the entire head, and the third and most serious is where all hair is lost all over the body - eyebrows, eyelashes, underarms, legs, arms and pubic hair.”
Treatment of Alopecia remains limited in its success. Steroidal medication can be used, but its effectiveness is uncertain and the side effects are serious. Thankfully, it is a rare condition, with only around one per cent of the population suffering.
Physical Stress
Over styling and chemical hair treatments such as bleaching can cause hair to thin out.
“Heated appliances like hairdryers, straightening irons and curling tongs can burn and break the hair when they are overused or not used correctly,” explains hairstylist, David Keough. “With chemical processing, it’s simply that the hair has been over processed and this causes breakage.”
The solution is simple: cut back on both, and treat your hair to plenty of strengthening, hydrating treatments.
Age
“As you get older the number of healthy functioning hairs on your head declines,” explains Dr. Knudson. “It starts from the age of 25 and it is very rare that a person of 50 will have the volume of hair that they had at 25. It is just the natural way the body works. The number of hair and quality slightly declines with age.”
Dr. Knudsen says you can help prevent the thinning with medication, and laser therapy (see below).
Male Pattern Baldness
“This is by far the most common hair loss in men,” reports Dr. Knudsen. “It is genetic and can come from either side of the family. There are at least two genes involved and it activates around puberty and some time after puberty. You need to have adult levels of sex hormones for baldness to trigger.”
“The secret to treating it is getting it early enough, using medication as mentioned above. If it is significant we can do a hair transplant.”
Laser Therapy for Thinning Hair
Low powered laser therapy is now being used to trigger hair growth, says Dr. Knudsen. “It stimulates energy production in the mitochondria and it makes the hair follicle more efficient.”
The laser cap device can be used at home. It has 224 low level lasers and it is to be worn every second day for 60 minutes. At around $2500, it is not cheap, but by all reports, is highly effective.
“It has a seventy five per cent success rate,” says Dr. Knudsen.
Breakout: Hair Transplant Surgery
This involves the transfer of small grafts of skin containing naturally occurring groups of hair from the lower, permanent hair-bearing part of the scalp, to the balding area of the scalp. The results are natural looking and enjoy a ninety per cent success rate.
“The tufted, pluggy look of the past is over,” says Knudsen. “These days, if done well, you would not even notice. Even hairdressers can’t tell if their client has had a transplant.”
Expect to pay between $1500 and $17,000, depending on your practitioner and the amount of grafts required.
For more information, visit www.treathairloss.com.au