ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — According to the Hair Loss Society, about 35 million men and 21 million women suffer from hair loss. Whether it’s temporary or permanent, losing your hair can impact your confidence and self-esteem. Ivanhoe reports on what you need to know about hair loss.
It’s normal to have between 100 thousand and 150 thousand hairs on your head at any given time. But hair loss is a common problem that plagues both men and women.
Alan J. Bauman, MD, Hair Transplant Surgeon, Bauman Medical Group, says, “Hair loss is a chronic progressive condition that starts before you see it, before you know it.”
One big reason for temporary hair loss: stress associated with surgery, weight loss, or childbirth. The hair should grow back but might take between four and 18 months. The most common cause of permanent hair loss is age-related. It’s referred to as “male pattern” or “female pattern” baldness. Other causes: medicines like chemo, steroids, lithium, or birth control. Sometimes, an underlying medical problem is to blame like a thyroid disorder or autoimmune disease. And, crash dieting or a lack of certain vitamins can also be the culprit. If you’re struggling, find a specialist who can help.
“Find someone recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Find someone who does this every single day of the week,” continued Dr. Bauman.
Treatments include medicines such as Rogaine or Propecia.
According to the hairsociety.org, one of the latest treatments for hair loss is platelet rich plasma. It involves mixing a small amount of the patient’s blood with a serum and injecting it into the scalp.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Field Producer; and Roque Correa, Editor.
HAIR LOSS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
REPORT #2736
BACKGROUND: Approximately 35 million men and 21 million women suffer from hair loss. Men, beginning at age 35 lose hair at a rate of 40% and that number grows to 80% by age 80. For women, hair loss reaches 80% range by the age of 60. Hair loss without scarring of the scalp is a very common condition and affects most people at some time in their lives. Common balding occurs in men and women and is due to the effect of testosterone metabolites in genetically susceptible hair follicles. Thyroid disease, anemia, protein deficiency, secondary syphilis, chemotherapy, and low vitamin levels may also cause hair loss. Prevention includes good hair hygiene, regular shampooing, and good nutrition. Medical health screening for hair loss may include blood tests such as complete blood count, iron level, vitamin B, thyroid function tests, and a biopsy of the scalp.
(Source: https://thehairsociety.org/hair-loss-statistics-the-facts/ and https://www.medicinenet.com/hair_loss/article.htm)
CURRENT TREATMENTS: Rogaine (topical minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) are the only drugs approved by the FDA to treat pattern baldness (hair loss resulting from hereditary causes). Only about 10 to 14% of the people who try Rogaine experience hair growth. However, it can help to slow hair loss. Propecia is the first pill that can treat male pattern hair loss. While it is effective, if treatment is discontinued, results may not be maintained. Other treatments include hair transplantation methods (such as micro-grafting, slit grafting, punch grafting), and scalp reduction. The type of hair loss as well as the patient’s circumstances and desires determine which hair replacement procedures are best. A procedure called PRP (platelet-rich plasma), used over the last decade to help people heal after joint surgery, is an option for some people with hair loss. The patient’s blood is separated in a centrifuge, separating platelets and plasma. The plasma, which is injected into areas of hair loss on the scalp for up to two years, helps to repair blood vessels, stimulate collagen production, and promote cell growth. Early research shows that PRP therapy is safe and there is minimal pain and redness at the injection site.
(Source: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/cosmetic-procedures-hair-loss#1)
STUDY UNCOVERS NEW APPROACH: Columbia researchers have created a way to grow human hair in a dish, which could open hair restoration surgery to more people, including women, and improve the way pharmaceutical companies search for new hair growth drugs. It is the first time that human hair follicles have been entirely generated in a dish, without the need for implantation into skin. For years it’s been possible to grow mouse or rat hairs in the lab by culturing cells taken from the base of existing follicles. Angela Christiano, PhD, the Richard & Mildred Rhodebeck Professor of Dermatology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, says, “Cells from rats and mice grow beautiful hairs, but for reasons we don’t totally understand, human cells are resistant.” Christiano has been trying to create conditions that mimic the 3D environment human hair cells normally inhabit. The lab first tried creating little spheres of cells inside hanging drops of liquid. But when the spheres were implanted in mice, the results were unpredictable: The cells from some people created new hair while others didn’t.
(Source: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/studies-uncover-new-approaches-combat-hair-loss-men-and-women)
* For More Information, Contact:
Alan Bauman, MD
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