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Hair Loss
Hair loss can affect men, women
and adolescents and can be a symptom of underlying physical problems.
Therefore, if you notice extra hairs in your comb, the first person to see is
your doctor to rule out any disease or condition.
Hair loss, or alopecia is a condition that affects millions and the
ultimate end in this progression is baldness. Pattern baldness, the most common
form, is hereditary and is found in both men and women, although women rarely go
completely bald. Here is a form of baldness related to autoimmune disease and
disease in general is a cause for some cases of hairless. Other non-hereditary
causes of hair loos are medications, chemotherapy, childbirth, poor nutrition,
fever, skin infections and hair treatments, such as perming or dyeing.
There are now many treatments that will minimize baldness, but not
cure it. Minocidil or Rogaine was a breakthrough medication that significantly
altered options to balding and is now offered over the counter, in a 2% or 5%
strength solution. It is a liquid that is topically applied twice daily to
prevent hair loss and it also stimulates the growth or new hair. This new hair
is generally finer textured than the old but it is enough for most people to
disguise of balding area.
Finasteride or Propecia is a more recently developed treatment that is
prescription only. It works internally by blocking the formation of
dihydrotestosterone from testosterone and it is taken daily in pill form. It
prevents hair loss and stimulates growth but may have the unwanted side effect
of a diminished sex drive. It is not licensed for use by women and possesses
significant risk to women of childbearing age who are advised to not even handle
the containers. Cortisone injections help reduce hair loss in some cases and
medications used to treat the skin disease, psoriasis can also be helpful, a
physician will help determine the correct treatment for each individual.
Two surgical procedures, hair plugs and scalp reduction are reserved for more
difficult hair loss problems. A surgeon will take plugs of hair from the areas
where growth is good such as the back of the scalp and transplant them to the
crown and other scant areas. Hair plugs require several sessions and it will
take months for the hair to grow. Scalp reduction is the surgical process by
which hair is made to look like it covers more of the head by removing some of
the bald scalp area. This is sometimes combined with hair plugs to create a
natural looking hairline and together, the results are quite good.
Treatments and their success will depend upon the individual type and extent of
hair loss and the preference, and wallet, of
the person. |
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