Hair Loss Can Be Devastating To Your Confidence And Self Esteem

Hair Loss Can Be Devastating To Your Confidence And Self Esteem

Hair Loss Can Be Devastating

Hair loss can have a devastating effect on one’s self esteem. Hair is a very important component of an individual’s total body health, appearance and attraction. With aging, there is an increased incidence of hair fallout. There are several medications available that can help prevent or delay the loss of your hair.

A common type of hair loss seen in women is called female-pattern alopecia. Female-pattern alopecia is caused by a genetically predisposed sensitivity of the hair follicles to dehydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a metabolite of testosterone. Approximately 20 to 30 % of women experience female-pattern alopecia. DHT hair loss can begin in women in their thirties. Usually, this condition causes the hair to thin in the front, on the sides or on the crown. It rarely progresses to total hair loss.

Testosterone is the male hormone. However, all women have a small amount of circulating testosterone. When the hair follicles are exposed to DHT, they shrink until they are no longer capable of producing hair. As the hair follicles progressively shrink, the growth stage of the hair cycle (anagen) becomes shorter and the resting and shedding phases become longer. As a consequence, the hair becomes very thin and short. Eventually there is a cessation of hair growth altogether.

Women whose hair follicles are susceptible to the effects of DHT, there is a generalized loss of hair. In addition to female-pattern alopecia, most women’s hairlines tend to recede with age. There are several medications available for the treatment of female-pattern-alopecia. The most popular medications are Rogaine (minoxidil) and propecia (finasteride).

Rogaine (minioxidil) is an over-the-counter medication used in the treatment of female-pattern alopecia. When topically applied to the scalp, minioxidil is converted to minoxidil sulfate. The minioxidil sulfate activates potassium regulating mechanisms in the hair follicle triggering hair growth.

Rogaine is available in two strengths, 2% and 5%. The 2% strength is recommended to prevent the growth of unwanted hair in other parts of the body such as on the face. The usual treatment schedule is to apply the medication to the entire scalp twice daily. Even though minioxidil has been shown to regrow hair in a small percentage of people, it is more effective in preventing hair loss. As with all medications, if you stop the treatment, the hair will fall out again.

Propecia (finasteride) is a once a day prescription medication that the blocks the formation of DHT. Propecia can help regrow recently lost hair and slow or stop hair loss. A major disadvantage of propecia is that it may cause birth defects. Because of this, the FDA (Food Drug Administration) has approved it only for men.

It is noteworthy to mention that DHT can affect men early, sometimes in their late teens. Approximately 20 % of males suffer male-pattern baldness in their twenties, 30 % in their thirties. Eighty percent of all males experience male-pattern baldness by the age of eighty. In men, the hair loss tends to be at the front of the scalp, on the temples and on the top of the head. Rogaine and propecia are also the most popular drugs used to treat male-pattern baldness.

There are several different options that you can choose from for hair loss: FNS Follicle Nutrient Serum, Nizoral shampoo, Flutamide and GHK copper peptides. FNS Follicle Nutrient Serum contains ingredients that stimulate the growth of the hair. Clinical studies have shown that Nizoral shampoo A-D may also provide some benefit to women with female-pattern baldness.

Flutamide is a prescription medication that blocks the effect of DHT. The drug is used to treat excessive facial hair in women. However, it can also be used to treat female-pattern alopecia. The drug can cause liver damage and a case of death has been reported with the use of the drug.

GHK copper peptides are also used to treat female pattern alopecia. The copper peptides inhibit the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase that that coverts testosterone into DHT. There are different preparations of copper peptides available for hair loss.

As with all hair loss treatments, the earlier that you start your treatment the better. Also, you will have to take the medications indefinitely. To reiterate, if you stop the treatment, the hair will begin to fall out again.

Most of these medications used for the treatment of hair loss can be purchased online or at your local drug store. If you see signs of hair loss for the first time, it is imperative that you consult with a physician to make sure that you do not have an underlying medical condition.

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