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Dr. Praneeth Skin Hair Laser Clinic

Hair Loss in men and women

Hair Loss in men and women: What is the difference and how to treat it?

Hair Loss in Men

What Causes It?

Loss of hair is a widespread condition affecting millions of males worldwide. Although it is commonly associated with aging, hair loss can happen to anyone of any age or any gender and is caused by a number of different factors. Before exploring the causes of hair loss in males, it is necessary to comprehend how hair grows. The three phases of hair follicle development are anagen (growth phase), catagen (transition phase), and telogen (stationary phase). When a hair follicle ceases to produce hair, it enters the telogen phase, and hair begins to fall out.

Causes of Male Pattern Hair Loss Genetics

Genetics is the most prevalent cause of hair loss in men. Androgenetic alopecia, which is also known as the male form of baldness, is a genetic condition that affects up to 80% of men during their lifetimes. This happens for many reasons and one such condition is a combination of genetic and hormonal factors that shrink hair follicles and ultimately stop hair production.

  • Hormonal Imbalances – Male hair loss can also be caused by hormonal imbalances. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and low testosterone levels can all inhibit hair growth and can lead to acute hair loss.
  • Medications – Certain medications can also lead to male pattern baldness. Cancer, excessive blood pressure, depression, and arthritis medications can inhibit hair growth and cause hair loss.
  • Stress – Men can also experience hair loss due to stress. A condition known as telogen effluvium can be triggered by stressful events such as surgery, illness, or trauma, in which a significant number of hair follicles enter the telogen phase and fall out.
  • Diet and Nutrition – Inadequate nutrition and diet can also contribute to hair loss in males. Insufficiency in protein, iron, and other essential nutrients can hinder the growth of hair temporarily or permanently and lead to hair loss.

What Does Male Hair Loss Look Like?

Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, hair loss in men can manifest in various ways. In the majority of such hair loss cases, a receding or loss of hair or hairline is followed by thinning hair on the vertex of the head. As the condition advances, these areas may merge, leaving behind a horseshoe-shaped pattern of hair on the sides and back of the scalp. Some men may also experience a complete loss of scalp hair, leaving only a small amount of hair on the circular parts of the head sides and back of the head. (Usual look) A noticeable increase in the amount of hair excreted when brushing or showering, a gradual decrease in hair volume and density, and a change in the texture and quality of the hair are additional indicators of male hair loss. In addition, some men may experience irritation, inflammation, or redness on the scalp, which may indicate an underlying scalp condition that is responsible for hair loss.

Hair Loss in Women

What causes it?

Several factors, including genetics, hormonal fluctuations, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle, can cause hair loss in women. Here are some of the most prevalent factors of female hair loss:

  • Issues related to genetics cause hair loss in women, males, can inherit genes that make them more susceptible to hair loss due to genetics.
  • Hormonal fluctuations can cause hair loss in women, especially during pregnancy, menopause, and other times when estrogen and testosterone levels vacillate.
  • Certain medical conditions, including alopecia areata, endocrine disorders, and autoimmune diseases, can result in hair loss in women. Sometimes as a side effect, many drugs of chemotherapy, blood thinners, and many antidepressants cause hair loss.
  • Overuse of heat-styling tools, tight hairstyles, and chemical treatments can damage hair follicles and eventually contribute to hair loss.
  • Deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, biotin, and vitamin D, can also contribute to female hair loss.

It is essential for women experiencing hair loss to consult a healthcare professional to ascertain the underlying cause and the most effective treatment.

What does female hair loss look like?

Female pattern baldness can manifest in various ways. Here are some common symptoms of female hair loss:

  • Women may observe that their hair is thinning over time, especially on the crown of the head. As hair begins to thin, the part may become broader than normal.
  • In some circumstances, women may experience just as men a receding hairline similar to that of men with male-pattern baldness. (hair loss on the scalp & back of the head)
  • Alopecia areata is a condition that can cause women to develop tiny, circular bald spots on the scalp.
  • Hair that is receding may also become brittle, dry, and susceptible to breakage.
  • Changes in texture: As hair thins, it may become curly or coarse.
  • Itchy or painful scalp: Women may experience irritation or pain on the scalp, especially if hair loss is caused by a condition of the scalp.

It is essential for women experiencing hair loss to consult a healthcare professional to ascertain the underlying cause and the most effective treatment.

Hair loss differences in men and women

  • While both men and women can experience hair loss, there are significant distinctions in how it manifests and what causes it.
  • Men’s hair loss typically begins with a receding hairline and crown thinning, resulting in a horseshoe-shaped pattern of remaining hair. In contrast, women typically experience diffuse hair loss without a discernible pattern.
  • Androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT), play a significant role in male pattern baldness. In addition to pregnancy, menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women can experience hair loss due to hormonal changes.
  • Medical conditions like thyroid disorders and auto-immune diseases, are more likely to result in hair loss in women than in males.
  • Many times women use hair care practices, like heat styling products and chemical treatments, which can damage hair and contribute to hair loss, which are more prevalent among women.
  • Although hair loss can occur at any age in both men and women, male pattern baldness typically begins in the late teens or early 20s, whereas women tend to experience hair loss later in life.
  • Men and women experiencing hair loss should consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and the most effective treatment.

Treatment option for hair loss?

Loss of hair can be an upsetting event for anyone who goes through it. The is good news in the market that we can use different treatment methods available to either stop hair loss or stimulate new hair growth.

Medication: There are treatments currently on the market that can help halt the progression of hair loss and even stimulate new hair growth. One such medicine is minoxidil, which may be purchased without a prescription at any pharmacy. One more medicine that a physician has the ability to prescribe is called finasteride. Its effectiveness in halting hair loss far outweighs its ability to stimulate new hair growth.

Transplant: A hair transplant involves taking hair from a part of the body that has healthy hair growth and transferring it to an area of the body that is thinning or balding due to hair loss. Because this is a surgical procedure, it should only be performed by a surgeon who is both qualified and experienced.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy: This treatment is also known as PRP therapy and this involves a form of treatment that does not need surgery and consists of injecting a concentrated amount of the patient’s own platelets into the scalp of the affected area. Platelets include growth elements that can encourage new hair growth if they are applied to the scalp.

Low-Level Laser Treatment: Often known as LLLT, is administered to the scalp by the use of a machine that produces low-level laser light. Because in this treatment amount of blood that flows to the hair follicles is drastically increased and therefore this light can make hair grow faster.

Taking appropriate care of your hair can aid in preventing hair loss, thus it’s important to do so. This includes avoiding hairstyles that cause the hair to be pulled on, using hair care products that are mild, and not styling the hair with an excessive amount of heat. It is essential to keep in mind that not all treatment choices will be successful for every individual patient. One must always listen to options for treating hair loss from a medical professional or a dermatologist.

Causes of Hair Loss

Alopecia, which is another name for hair loss. Here are a few factors that contribute to hair loss:

  • Genes are such an important aspect of hair loss. Both men and women can inherit a balding pattern, which can start as early as the adolescent years in either gender.
  • Hormonal shifts are a potential contributor to hair loss. For instance, some pregnant women can notice their hair become thinner during their pregnancy. In addition, hair loss can be caused by hormonal abnormalities, such as those caused by thyroid problems.
  • A number of medical diseases, such as autoimmune illnesses, scalp infections, and skin disorders, have been linked to hair loss in patients.
  • Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, and blood thinners cause hair loss.
  • The loss of hair can be a side effect of prolonged or extreme stress. In most cases, this is only a temporary condition, and once the stress has subsided, new hair will begin to grow in its place.
  • Hair loss can be caused by deficiencies in particular nutrients, such as iron or protein, in the diet.

 

 

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