Hair Restoration
The hair on your head is often described as your crowning glory, and it is therefore a cause of concern to you when you see it thinning or falling out. This is a problem common to both men and women, although the patterns of the hair loss are different in both cases.
There are a number of options, from medical to surgical that can help you slow or stop hair loss, or even restore your lost hair.
Medical hair restoration involves using a number of medicines to slow down hair loss, and even restore some hair. It is the first line of management in hair loss.
Surgical hair restoration is for more advanced cases of hair loss, and can be done in both men and women. It involves transplanting hair from one site to the area of hair loss.
About Hair Loss
A hair follicle is composed of a structural protein called keratin which is present in our nails and the outer layer of our skin.
Each strand of hair consists of three layers:
- The innermost core known as medulla found only in mature thick hair
- The middle layer or the cortex , the main body of the hair which provides color, texture and strength to hair
- The outermost colorless layer or cuticle , the main function of which is to protects the cortex
Under normal circumstances hair growth in each hair follicle follows a well structured cycle. There are three main phases of the hair growth cycle:
- Anagen - Growth Phase (2-6 years, 85% of scalp).
- Catagen - Transitional phase (30 to 60 days)
- Telogen - Resting Phase (2 to 3 weeks, 10-15%)
Diet, environment, stress, past surgeries, past experiences etc. are some of the causes of hair loss, though genetics plays a large part.
Hair loss in menMale–Pattern Baldness (Androgenic alopecia) is the commonest cause of balding in men.
Male hormones or androgens (DHT) are present in both men and women, though the concentrations vary greatly. The production of DHT, and also the density and the location of androgen-sensitive hair follicles on the scalp is genetically determined. It is the metabolism of these androgens which is the main cause of Androgenic Alopecia.
Proper nutrition is also critical for the maintenance of the hair. DHT prevents the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals from providing nourishment to the hair follicles.
Male pattern baldness is classified according to the Norwood scale.
Hair loss in women The typical pattern of female baldness is different from that of male pattern baldness. Although thinning of hair is seen all over, the frontal hairline is usually preserved. Widening of the parting is also often seen. Female pattern balding is permanent, although it rarely progresses to total baldness, but it can cause severe distress.
Female pattern baldness is classified according to the Ludwig Scale.
Hair loss can also occur for other reasons such as: - Temporary shedding of hair (Telogen effluvium) usually after a stressful period such as pregnancy, severe illness, etc.
- Breaking of hair (from styling or straightening of hair)
- Patchy areas of total hair loss (alopecia areata) due to disease or allergy
- Thyroid Diseases
- Certain skin diseases