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information about hairloss


> What is hair loss

> The forms and types of hair loss

> Measuring the receding hair line by men > the Hamilton - Norwood O'Tar scale

>  Measuring the receding hair line by women > the Ludwig scale

> Options and solutions against excessive hair loss



The average human head has about 100,000 hair follicles.
Each follicle can grow about 20 individual hairs in a person's lifetime. Average hair loss is about 90 to 120 strands a day.
This is a completely natural process which prepares the way for new hair growth.
Progressive, permanent hair loss, or baldness, involves the state of lacking hair where it often grows, especially on the head.
The most common form of baldness is a progressive hair thinning condition called androgenic alopecia or "male pattern baldness" that occurs in adult male and female humans and other species.  Male pattern baldness is characterized by hair receding from the lateral sides of the forehead, known as "receding hairline".
Because the severity and nature of baldness can vary greatly, alopecia androgenetica is classified on the Hamilton-Norwood scale I-VII. This scale was first introduced by Dr. James Hamilton in the 1950's and later revised and updated by Dr. O'Tar Norwood in the 1970's and it represents graphically the male-pattern baldness pattern so anyone can easily classify its status.
On this page you can observe the Hamilton-Norwood O'Tar scale and read more about the significance of each phase.

Women, on the other hand, present a different balding patter. The degree of the receding hair line is measured on the Ludwig scale. The female-pattern balding has a different hair shedding model.
On this page you can observe the Ludwig scale and read more about the significance of each phase.


Incidence of pattern baldness varies from population to population based on genetic background. Environmental factors do not seem to affect this type of baldness greatly.


Forms

Hair loss forms range from:
male and female pattern alopecia (androgenetic alopecia, also called androgenic alopecia or alopecia androgenetica);
alopecia areata, which involves the loss of some of the hair from the head;
alopecia totalis, which involves the loss of all head hair;
to alopecia universalis, the most extreme form of baldness, which involves the loss of all hair from the head and the body.

Traction alopecia is, besides the forms described above, seen in cases were people with ponytails or cornrows pull on their hair with force thus dislocating the hair root.
some argue that wearing a hat might also be the cause of hair loss, to some extent.
This could be the case in situations where prolonged friction on shortly cut hair, due to inappropriate positioning of the hat, might tear and wear the hair.
As general rule, it is a good idea to let your scalp uncovered in order to let the skin breathe for some 7 to 8 hours a day.
 
Traumas such as chemotherapy, childbirth, major surgery, poisoning, and severe stress may cause a hair loss condition known as telogen effluvium.
Also, some mycotic infections can cause massive hair loss.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder also known as "spot baldness" that can result in hair loss ranging from just one location (Alopecia areata monolocularis) to every hair on the entire body (Alopecia areata universalis).

Localized or diffuse hair loss may also occur in cicatricial alopecia (lupus erythematosus, lichen plano pilaris, folliculitis decalvans, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, postmenopausal frontal fibrosing alopecia, etc.).

Tumors and skin outgrowths also induce localized baldness (sebaceous nevus, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma).

Hypothyroidism can cause hair loss, especially thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows

Temporary loss of hair can occur in areas where sebaceous cysts are present for considerable duration; normally one to several weeks in length.

Hair loss by stress. Stress is a major negative factor for your nerves, heart and also hair.
By stress, the human body consumes significant resources and produces more free radicals. Also the amount of vitamin C needed by the human body by stress is higher.
Because stress interferes with the peripheral blood circulation that feeds regions such as scalp skin, the hair follicles will receive less oxygen and nutrients. In time this will lead to a poor oxygenation and feeding of the follicles and has as consequence, hair loss.
For stressed people, as well as for smokers, consuming daily extra vitamin C is highly recommended.

Options

Treatments for the various forms alopecia have limited success, but typical male pattern baldness is now a preventable and reversible condition, to a certain extent. Some hair loss sufferers make use of clinically proven treatments such as finasteride and topically applied minoxidil (in solution) in an attempt to prevent further loss and regrow hair.

Since recent, it has been discovered that alopecia androgenetica can be managed with the help of an ingredient called beta-sitosterol which originates from Saw Palmetto fruit  extract.
This, in combination with Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) extract acts as inhibitor of a enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase which plays a key role in the transformation of the hormone testosterone into 5-alpha-Dihydrotestosterone,  also know as DHT, a sex hormone.
The enzyme is present predominantly in the scalp and prostate.
To this form of hormonal "by-product", DHT, the hair follicles are most sensitive and tend to thin at first and then die-out in time.
As a general rule, it is easier to maintain remaining hair than it is to regrow; however, the treatments mentioned will help the vast majority of users suffering from Androgenetic alopecia, and there are new technologies in cosmetic transplant surgery and hair replacement systems that can be completely undetectable.

Prokeratin® products have an optimal and balanced concentration of beta-sitosterol and Saw Palmetto extract to ensure a proper and lasting manageability of alopecia androgenetica. However, its efficacity was not yet tested against other forms of hair loss, such as autoimmune induced alopecia (alopecia areata monolocularis or alopecia areata universalis) or hair loss induced by infections, stress, trauma, infestation with pathogenic and mycotic agents.
As general rule of common sense, before buying and administering any hair loss management product, it is best to obtain a clear diagnostic from your physician or GP regarding the precise form of alopecia that you might have.

Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise can help keep androgen levels (particularly free testosterone levels) naturally lower while maintaining overall health, lowering stress and increasing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) .

Stress reduction can be helpful in slowing hair loss. Make time for yourself, relax and rest.

Balanced, healthy life style
A well balanced life style with healthy foods and plenty of vitamins and minerals will help your body maintain its health and strength.
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