 Baldness Addressing The Issues
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Why do some people
go bald, and some people don't? Baldness (alopecia in medical terms), is hereditary, and it can come from either your
mother, your father, or both. The most common type of alopecia is pattern baldness, and it can affect either men or women.
Chances are, if someone in your family has alopecia, you'll have it too. Some medical conditions can lead to temporary
alopecia, too.
MALE PATTERN BALDNESS - ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA This type of baldness can start very early, as early as the teens to early 20s in some men. You can usually recognize it by the hairline starting to recede at the temples, and baldness on the top of the head. It can result in complete baldness, and it is permanent. FEMALE PATTERN BALDNESS - ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA Like male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness is permanent. It usually does not result in complete baldness, and women usually keep their hairline in front. The condition usually results in thinning hair at the crown, sides, or front. WHY DO PEOPLE GO BALD? There can be some medical and physical conditions that lead to permanent or temporary baldness, but for most people, it simply runs in the family – especially pattern baldness like we discussed above. Genetics plays a big role in hair loss, and it plays a role in when hair loss begins, too. If there is baldness in your family on either side, then you'll probably experience at least some hair loss or hair thinning in your lifetime. Baldness occurs when your hair follicles stop growing new hair. Essentially they die, and once they are dead, they can't come back to life, and you'll experience no hair regrowth. This happens to everyone, but some people lose many more hair follicles, again, that's usually due to heredity. Is Hair Regrowth Possible? In some people with thinning hair, a topical treatment such as Rogaine (minoxidil), can help with hair regrowth and rejuvenation. Rogaine doesn't work for everyone, and it's best to start treatment as soon as you notice thinning hair, but it does work in many cases. It's also one of only two topical treatments that are approved for use in hair regrowth by the FDA. Otherwise, once the follicle is dead, there is no hair regrowth, and the only treatment in that case is surgery to implant new hair into the scalp. IS BALD REALLY SEXY? Some people really enjoy the look of a totally bald head, and for them, baldness may not be such a big issue. However, most people don't enjoy the change in their appearance that baldness creates. Some people feel it makes them look older, while others think it simply makes them less attractive, especially to the opposite sex. If you're concerned about your baldness, talk to a doctor about treatment and prevention, and remember to only use approved treatments like Rogaine for your baldness. WOMEN AND BALDNESS In women, baldness can be even more of a problem, because it does not occur as often, and many women identify with their hair as part of their total body image. Hairstyles and styling is important to them, and losing their hair is somewhat like losing part of their identity and sex appeal. Women also don't tend to go bald as much as men, so it can be even more difficult for them to cope. Women who are experiencing thinning hair or female pattern baldness should seek treatment as soon as possible. Hair regrowth is possible with topic treatments like Rogaine, and there are hair transplants available, as well. OTHER ISSUES Remember, a sudden or dramatic hair loss can be the symptom of another, more serious disease. You should always talk to your doctor if you suddenly begin to lose lots of hair, or your hair starts thinning dramatically. There could be another medical condition leading to this hair loss. In many cases, hair will grow back after you treat the disease, so seek treatment as soon as possible to make sure that your hair loss isn't due to some other complications. |