|
For some men going bald is not a worry. In fact, it has become a kind of fashion statement. However, for others, hair loss can cause severe psychological problems and great disruption to social activities.
Recent research suggests that many people perceive men with hair loss as older, less attractive, and less successful than men with full heads of hair. Hair loss can contribute to loss of self-esteem, self-consciousness and anxiety.
Hair loss and its treatment have concerned
people for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians massaged their bald spots with a mixture of crocodile, lion and hippopotamus fats to encourage hair growth.
In fact hair loss "cures" over the centuries have been many and varied with most falling very much into the area of medical quackery. Shampoos and conditioners can temporarily improve the appearance of existing hair, but cannot halt or reverse hair loss, while hair restoration surgery has greatly improved, but is still far from perfect.
Recently science has taken us out of the "snake oil" age with some new medications that really do work to prevent baldness for some people.
Hair loss is an amazingly widespread condition. In Australia, up to half the male population will experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 50. Other population groups such as Japanese and Chinese men are less affected.
How and why hair loss occurs, and the procedures we can put into place to prevent it, are all clearly set out in the new fact card called Male Pattern Hair Loss. The card is available from pharmacies around Australia providing the Pharmaceutical Society's Self Care health information.
Some types of hair loss are related to conditions such as bacterial or fungal infections that can and should be treated. As well, physical damage to the hair leading to hair loss can be caused by constant bleaching or ponytails and braids that are too tight (more likely on women than men).
However, by far the most common cause of hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia or male pattern hair loss (MPHL). This is an inherited condition triggered by a predetermined sensitivity to a naturally occurring chemical called DHT. With male pattern hair loss the follicles stop growing normal hair and instead grow soft, fine, pale hair. Eventually the hair stops growing completely. Hair is usually lost from the front of the head, especially at the sides and on the top back of the head at the crown.
Female pattern baldness is similar to MPHL; however, hair is lost from the top and centre of the head without a receding hairline. The loss is less prominent than in men, and it occurs first simply as an overall thinning of the hair.
Minoxidil lotion (under the brand name of Rogaine) is now available in Australia without prescription; and it has been shown to be effective for both men and women in preventing further hair loss.
Finasteride (Propecia), taken in tablet form, is suitable only for men. It, too, can stop hair loss and may actually reverse the balding process. |
