Male Pattern Hair Loss
Dating as far back as history will take us, baldness has been a part of the aging process that many men fear the most. Before Rogaine, hair transplants, and hair additions, men coped in various ways from using magic ointments to the styling of their hair to cover up thin or bald spots.  Both Julius Caesar and Napoleon grew their hair long in the back and combed it all forward.

Somehow we often disregard history and the fact that this has been an age-old condition.  We cannot imagine or accept the fact that there is no cure.  But understanding the cause of male pattern hair loss may better indicate exactly why it presently has no cure.

Alopecia

Androgenetic Alopecia, the modern medical term for either male or female hair pattern loss, can be broken down into two parts:

1. Androgenetic, consisting of ANDROGEN (any of the various hormones that control the appearance and development of masculine characteristics such as testosterone), and GENETIC (the inheritance of genes from either side of the family).  Add age, which when coupled with genetics, represents a time clock that will signal the hair follicle to produce an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase when the testosterone present in the follicle combines with the enzyme 5 (DHT).  Hair follicle receptors are sensitive to DHT and thereby start the process of male or female pattern hair loss.

2. Alopecia, meaning hair loss of which there are many types.

Put simply, scientists are working against aging, hormones, and genetics.  This is no easy task.

Add the fact that male or female pattern hair loss is not life threatening, and it is easy to see why many physicians do not view hair loss as a priority in scientific research.  What is working for you in terms of research is that large pharmaceutical firms now know that a cure for hair loss could mean a fortune in revenue for their companies and stockholders.  This is fuel enough and the race has begun.

Although we may not see a cure in our lifetime, it is possible.  Science is closer to understanding hair loss due to many recent advancements.  To say the cure is around the corner would only be speculation, but hope is certainly alive.

Since there are other causes of hair loss, it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist who is competent and experienced with diagnosing hair loss.  Confirming the type of hair loss you have will make it possible for you to know which treatment options may be best for you.

Other Causes:

Alopecia Areata:  Generally thought to be an autoimmune disorder,  it causes patchy hair loss, often in small circular areas in different locations of the scalp.

Alopecia Totalis:  Total hair loss of the scalp (an advanced form of Alopecia Areata).

Alopecia Universalis:  Hair Loss of the entire body (also and advanced form of Alopecia Areata).

Traction Alopecia:  Hair loss caused by physical stress and tension on the hair such as prolonged use of hair weaving, corn rows, etc.  Done too tightly on weak hair this type of styling can cause permanent hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium:  Usually temporary hair loss.  Causes: Physical stress, emotional stress, thyroid abnormalities, medications and hormonal causes normally associated with females.

Anagen Effluvium:  Generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicle.

All of these represent only a few of the different types of hair loss.  However, Androgenetic Alopecia represents close to 95% of all hair loss.

Treatments Options Available For Androgenetic Alopecia:

• Learning to live with hair loss.  Often the assistance of a professional counselor can be helpful in coping.
• Hair styling and cosmetic techniques such as permanent waves and hair colors.  The proper haircut alone can make a vast difference.
• Rogaine, the only FDA approved topical treatment for male or female pattern hair loss.  Although Rogaine is not effective in stimulating new hair growth in many males, it appears to be more effective in retarding hair loss in a substantial amount of both males and females.
• Hair additions have made many advances in both appearance and more secure attachment methods.  Hair replacement surgery has also made many advances toward more natural appearing results.
• A combination of hair additions with hair replacement surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy Related Hair Loss

Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs that destroy rapidly reproducing cells.  Cancer cells are some of the most rapidly reproducing cells in the body, but other cells, such as those which contribute to the formulation of hair shafts and nails, are also rapidly reproducing.  Unfortunately, while chemotherapy drugs destroy cancer cells, the drug also can destroy those cells responsible for normal growth of hair and nails.  Cancer patients sometimes shed their hair and nails during treatment.  Chemotherapy drugs are poisonous to the cells of the hair root responsible for hair shaft formation.  Sometimes the hair is lost rapidly in large quantities during treatment.  No hair growth stimulants, shampoos, conditioners, or other cosmetic treatments can prevent or retard hair loss resulting from chemotherapy.  The good news, however, is that once chemotherapy is completed, the hair usually grows back.

How and When Hair Growth Occurs

Adequate hair growth may take six months to a year.

• Returning hair may be different from the hair that was lost.  Due to the absence or alteration of pigment, the hair may grow back white, gray, or a different color.  Eventually, as the pigment cells return to normal, the original color should return.
• It is common for the new hair growth to be finer in texture initially, but like color, the texture should return to its original thickness.

It is sometimes difficult to be patient, but as the body is returning to normal and recovering from the physically taxing treatment, time is a necessary ingredient.

Hair Care Tips for New Hair Growth

• Shampoo hair twice weekly with a mild shampoo such as those intended for dry or damaged hair.  The scalp should be thoroughly massaged to remove any scale.
• Follow shampoo with a conditioner for fine or limp hair.
• Avoid using blow dryers; the intense heat can damage the hair and skin.
• Keep hairstyling, such as brushing, combing, pinning, and curling to a minimum due to the new hair being prone to breakage.  Curling appliances should be avoided as the scalp is very tender following chemotherapy.
• Hair styling aids such as mousse, hair spray, hair spritz, styling gel, and sculpturing gel may be used in moderation.  It is best to select products with normal to light holding ability as the high hold products may not be completely removed with mild shampoos.  Hair styling aids can build up on the hair shaft resulting in dullness and possibly scalp disease.

Chemical Curling or Permanent Waving

Chemical curling or permanent waving of the hair is best avoided until the hair is at least three inches long.  It is difficult to get nice curls if the hair is much shorter, even with a healthy head of hair.  For best results use a mild body wave with short processing time.  The hair should be wrapped loosely on the largest sized curling rod possible.  Looser curls will be less damaging to the recovering hair shaft, and will thus minimize hair shaft breakage.

WARNING

Many patients cannot tolerate the permanent wave solution on their scalp for up to one year following chemotherapy.  This extreme sensitivity is not unusual during the re-growth period.  In such cases permanents should not be attempted.

Hair coloring may also be irritating to the sensitive scalp and should be avoided until the scalp is healed.  Permanent hair colorings are the most damaging to the hair shaft and should be minimized in favor of semi-permanent hair colorings, which are gradually washed away with four to six shampoos.

Bleaching to lighten the hair color should not be attempted at this time.  Additionally, the hair should be altered only three shades from its re-growth color as more drastic color changes could increase hair shaft breakage.

This period of time following chemotherapy treatment is a time of healing and rebuilding for the body.  Hair growth will gradually return, and with time most patients regain a healthy head of hair.  Following some of the hair care tips covered here will ensure that the re-grown hair looks and feels its very best.

Children

A word of caution to parents with children undergoing chemotherapy: The absence of hair can be used in a positive manner.  It can signal to others
"handle with care" because while undergoing chemotherapy the child has a low blood count and can be bruised easily.

The insistence of parents, although well-meaning, for a child to wear a wig or prosthesis can signal the message that they’re not okay the way they are.  A child should have all of the options, but the choice should be his or hers.  Hugs and tender loving care are all that is necessary from the parents.

In addition to hair loss solutions for men and women, American Image also does custom work for children.

Treatment Options

At the onset of hair loss (the very first hair fall), some patients choose to shave the total scalp.  Their reasons are the following:

• The elimination of uncontrolled hair fall and embarrassing shedding.
• Some, especially males, feel that total baldness is more attractive than the spotty hair loss.  Many believe that after 25-50 percent hair loss, males or females look healthier with no hair at all.
• Shaving facilitates prosthetic hair security and comfort (i.e. Vacuum bases, two-way tape, and other adhesives for hair prostheses).  What may seem extreme to some, may not be for others.
• Attractive head coverings are available from a variety of manufacturers as an alternative to wigs.

Hair Prostheses

• Insurance sometimes covers a wig or prostheses.
• Assume you will lose all of your hair when you begin chemotherapy treatment.  By doing so your advance planning will assist you considerably.  (Custom-made wigs and hair prosthetic may take six weeks to four months to be made and delivered.)
• Your first wig or hair prosthesis should duplicate your own hair as closely as possible.  (Be conservative in color, length, thickness, and style.)
• In chemotherapy related hair loss avoid the following: weaves, hair extensions, hair integrations, and intensifiers.  You will need a full prosthesis and not a partial hairpiece.