Baldness may be referred to as hair loss by some people, but this may not always be the case. Fact is, all people experience some kind of hair loss. However, when loss of hair from your scalp becomes too excessive, this is referred to as baldness. The medical term for such condition is alopecia.
Sometimes, your having too much hair loss may be the result of you inheriting it. In some cases, certain medications that you take or another health problem may be causing your baldness.
The most common form of baldness is pattern baldness, also called androgenetic or androgenic alopecia. In men the condition is also called male-pattern baldness, while in women it is called female-pattern baldness.
In male androgenetic alopecia, hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, starting at your temples. Your hairline eventually recedes to form an "M" shape, which is characteristic of the condition. Hair may also thin out near the top of your head that may progress to partial or complete baldness.
Female-pattern baldness does not always lead to total baldness. The pattern of hair loss in females is different from that of males. Women with the condition usually have thinning of their hair all over their head. However, the usual receding hairline seen in males is not often experienced by women with female-pattern baldness.
Pattern baldness or hereditary hair loss affects about 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Causes
Normally, people lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. This is because old hairs are being replaced by growing hair. In male- and female-pattern baldness, hairs lost far exceed new hair growth.
Heredity plays a big role in the occurrence of pattern baldness. Having a family history of the condition increases your risk of developing baldness. Sometimes, environmental factors may also play a part.
Other forms of baldness may result from a medical condition, medication use, malnutrition, hormonal changes and hair treatments.
It is important that you see a specialist when you have sudden excessive hair loss as this may be caused by an underlying health problem.
Treatment
Some people may undergo treatment for baldness if they feel uncomfortable with their appearance. Common drugs used to treat pattern baldness are minoxidil and finasteride.
- Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication, which means it can be bought without prescription that can be applied onto your scalp. You should follow the directions of application carefully.
- Finasteride is a prescription drug that comes in a pill form prescribed by doctors to treat male-pattern baldness.
Ask your doctor which medication or treatment is best for you.
For some people, disguising their baldness by changing their hairstyles, using hairpieces or caps/hats may just be enough. Besides, it is a cheaper alternative way and usually, the safest.
Hair transplantation may also be an option for treating hair loss. If you choose this option, make sure that the doctor who’s going to do the hair transplant is a board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon.
Sources:
Genetics Home Reference. Androgenetic Alopecia http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/androgenetic-alopecia. Accessed on September 28, 2010.
Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Male pattern baldness
Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Male pattern baldness < http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003246.htm>. Accessed on September 28, 2010.
Medline Plus. Minoxidil Topical
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