Common Questions

THE MAIN CAUSE OF HAIR LOSS

One of the most distressing forms of scalp disorders is alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. The symptoms of this genetically predetermined disorder include physical changes in the hair, including loss of normal vigour and elasticity. Eventually, the hair can become thin and brittle and begin to fall out. While this type of baldness is referred to as male pattern baldness, it can occur in either sex. With females, however, the hairline becomes sparse, but does not recede.

For some people, thinning hair or even balding can begin to appear during puberty. It is caused by a change in the hormonal balance, with the main culprit being an overabundance of androgen.

Heredity is the predominant factor in male pattern baldness as it determines which “target follicles” will be susceptible to these powerful androgens. Hair loss in women generally occurs after menopause, reflecting decreased levels in estrogen, and thus comparatively higher levels of androgens in the system.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS CAUSING HAIR LOSS

There are a number of contributing factors causing hair loss which, if treated, are reversible:

Nutritional Imbalance.
A vitamin and protein deficient diet provides inadequate nutrients for the scalp, thus affecting hair growth. For example, crash diets often cause excessive hair loss.

Stress.
Excessive anxiety, a sudden shock or physical stress from surgery or chemotherapy may also cause hair loss. You could include, in this category, a lengthy or severe illness. In the case of a lengthy illness, the general condition of the hair may indicate your overall poor state of health. However, when your health is restored, the hair normally grows back on its own - without any special treatment.

Impaired Scalp Circulation.
If the scalp is very tight, blood circulation to the follicles is reduced and the hair “starves.” There are several factors which contribute to making a scalp tight. They include changes in climate, medication, discontinuing birth control pills, and postpartum hormonal imbalances.

Externally Caused Damage.
Washing your hair with a shampoo that is too strong can gradually strip it of its natural oils and lead to hair loss. In some cases, hair preparations and shampoos can also cause allergic reactions.

NORMAL HAIR LOSS & THE BEGINING STAGES OF BALDIN

Most people lose an average of 40 to 70 hairs per day. For the most part, we are unaware that we are losing those hairs. If your hair is healthy and heredity is on your side, those hairs will be replaced and the hair loss will not be noticeable. The first warning signs of baldness appear when excessive amounts of hair fall out when you brush your hair. You may also find a lot of hairs on your pillow, or even some thinning on the temple or on the crown of your head.

More advanced signs of creeping baldness is a definite recession of the hairline. Even if your genes have predetermined that you will ultimately lose your hair, there still are several steps you can take to slow this process down.

Heredity is the predominant factor in male pattern baldness as it determines which “target follicles” will be susceptible to these powerful androgens. Hair loss in women generally occurs after menopause, reflecting decreased levels in estrogen, and thus comparatively higher levels of androgens in the system.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAIR LOSS AND HAIR BREAKAGE

One point to note here is the difference between hair loss and hair breakage. Hair that is falling out will have a little white bulb on the end. This white bulb is not the hair root – you can’t lose the root. Rather, it is a part of the hair nearest to the root. Since the active hair root doesn’t come out with the hair, there is always the possibility for new growth.

While hair loss is viewed as man's problem, many women suffer from hair loss sometime during their lives. Sometimes this thinning is temporary but many times it is permanant. In temporary cases,certain factors cause the hair follicles to enter the resting phase prematurely and prevent the new hairs from replacing the ones that shed.

After diagnosis of the causing factor, by removing or alleviating the inciting factor the hair may regrow after a few months. These temporary factors may include: Alopecia areata, stress, menopause, infections,thyroid disease, certain skin conditions, childbirth, physical stress after major surgery and any other medical conditions.

In many women the hair loss could be permanant and is caused by Female Pattern Baldness. In Female Pattern hair loss, the hairline is perserved and becomes sparsed. It is first noticed at the temples and on top of the head and eventually presents itself as diffuse thinning in a typical U shape pattern. Unfortunately the accurate factor that causes female pattern hair loss is still not clear, therefore therapeutic approaches to women have been less of science and more on experience and tradition.

Oral Treatment

Finasteride 1 mg, commonly known as Propecia®, is a medication prescribed as a daily oral treatment for men only, for treatment of mild-to-moderate male pattern hair loss. Clinical studies have shown that at 12 months, finasteride 1 mg stopped hair loss in 86% of men who used it and increased hair growth in 65% of men. Further studies of men treated for up to 24 months demonstrated that finasteride stopped hair loss in 83% of cases and that hair growth was experienced by 80% of users.

Finasteride acts by reducing the production of DHT, a hormone related to the development of hair loss in men. In general, daily use for 3 months or more was necessary before improvements were seen. It was generally well tolerated. Side effects such as erectile dysfunction and decreased libido occurred in less than 2% of the cases. In the studies, side effects disappeared once the medication was stopped.

PrPropecia® (finasteride) is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. Used under license.

Topical Treatment

Minoxidil, the most common brand known as Rogaine®, comes in the form of a lotion that is massaged into the scalp twice a day. This solution is indicated for use in both men and women.

Although the exact mechanism of action of minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia is not known, minoxidil may stimulate hair growth by working in a variety of ways. For one, it is believed to improve blood circulation around the hair follicles, which may stimulate growth. It may also stimulate the follicles directly — helping the follicles to grow.

Studies have shown that 40% of minoxidil users achieved hair regrowth after 12 months. In general, it takes at least 4 months of twice daily applications before improvements are seen. It is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include local itchiness and dry skin. These side effects occurred during studies in less than 1% of the cases and disappeared once the treatment was stopped.

Rogaine® is a registered trademark of Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc.

HairMax Laser Comb

This is a hand held, cold beam low level laser that increases the quality and health of growing hair. It increases blood and lymph circulation to the hair roots, decreases inflammation, and energizes the follicular cells, allowing the hair to grow thicker and fuller

This varies from patient to patient depending on many factors the extent of hair loss, the desired density and the number of follicular unit grafts being performed,. Our minimum session is a 1000 grafts which costs $3500. As the number of grafts increases the price per graft will decrease. We also offer reimbursements for clients who travel more than 100 miles to come to our office.