ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA – THE MOST FREQUENT CAUSE OF HAIR LOSS

Androgenetic alopecia is considered the most common cause ofhair loss. It can affect both sexes and may also occur at any age. Though this condition starts by age 30, a lot more individuals are experiencing hair loss in their 20s or late teens.

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The main reason why Androgenetic alopecia occurs is due to Dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is a hormone present on both men and women and plays an important role on male sexual development. DHT is an active metabolite of testosterone. When testosterone interacts with the enzyme 5 alpha reductase, DHT is formed.

In men, this condition is known as male pattern baldness. Hair loss starts with a receding hair line that slowly progress upwards. In some cases, this is accompanied by hair thinning at the top of the head. In advanced hair loss, only the sides and back of the head have healthy hair growth. In worse cases, total baldness can occurs leaving no traces of hair growth on the head.

Luckily, total baldness is rare in women. Also called female pattern baldness, the typical signs of hair loss in women is generalized hair thinning.

There are numerous ways to treat androgenetic alopecia and there are several hair loss treatment products on the market today. Most products directly inhibit DHT or inhibit 5 alpha reductase, others increases the blood circulation to the scalp. An invasive method is harvesting a patient hair, usually at the back of the head and transfer or implants those to the scalp.

Treating hair loss is difficult and could takes months to years to see any new hair growth. Hair transplants on the other hand, is an instant solution but really expensive. The best practice today is to prevent hair loss from ever occuring. Start using hair loss treatmentearly especially if hair loss runs in the family.