Hair loss in men

definition

Hair loss is the permanent loss of scalp hair.

Typically, between 70 to 100 hairs per day fall out for everyone. The hair roots remain in the scalp, so the lost hair can grow back. The loss remains temporarily limited and is not visible because of the hair that grows back.

The editors also recommend: Hair loss in women

At real hair loss go the Hair roots lost and a Regrowth is therefore impossible become. There are two types of hair loss:

1. Effluvium (derived from the Latin term for failure)
2. Alopecia

Effluvium means one unnaturally increased hair losswhich can, but does not have to lead to, alopecia.

From Alopecia one speaks when completely there is generally less head hair. Either the man in question has abnormally thinning hair or there are hairless areas on the scalp.

Of course, there are treatment options, but it must always be diagnosed beforehand to determine the underlying cause of hair loss in men.

Please see the main article for more information Hair loss.

Types of hair loss

There are various types of hair loss, the causes and appearances differ considerably.

The most common type of hair loss among men is Androgenetic hair loss (short AGA). Often one speaks of this type of hereditary conditional hair loss.

The known Receding hairline are in almost all cases the first signs of this androgenetic hair loss that appear on the temple. In Austria, by the way, one speaks of court hairline corners.

The cause is one Hypersensitivity of the hair follicles to the steroid hormone dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is the active form of testosterone and is constantly produced by every man.

This reaction of the body is genetic, so it will inherited within the family.

Dihydotestosterone is found all over the body, including the Scalp. The hair follicles on the forehead and in the Area of ​​the skull are very sensitive to that hormone, the hair follicles of the neck and temples, however, not at all.

The dihydrotestosterone accumulates in the hair follicle and shortens the growth phase of the hair dramatically. Men with a circular bald head or receding hairline therefore have no fewer hair follicles than a man with full hair, theirs Follicles are just stunted. The hair does not have time to develop and grow, so it remains very short and also very fine practically not visible. Something similar happens with the hair in the areas of the face that are not colonized by the beard and scalp hair. Here, too, there are hairs, but so fine that they can hardly be seen.

Hair follicles in the temples and neck area are, as already mentioned, insensitive to the hormone and can therefore be good for you transplantation can be used. Even if these are transplanted to the forehead and top of the head, the hair follicles produce thick, long hair as usual.

Dihydrotestosterone is the active form of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is made using the Enzyme 5-alpha reductase in Dihydrotestosterone converted, which is particularly important in the growth and development of male fetuses at first, and later plays a major role in the development of teenage males.

In order to counteract androgenetic hair loss in men, researchers have 5-alpha reductase inhibitors identified. After ingestion, the conversion of testosterone is inhibited and thus the hair follicles can resume their work (the blockage by dihydrotestosterone then logically dissolves.)

As Alopecia areata is a pathological, circular hair loss that occurs in 80% of patients in the scalp hair and beard.

Alopecia areata is one inflammatory hair loss disease. It most often occurs between the 20 and 30 years of age on and leads to circular, hairless areas in scalp hair and beard hair. The bald spots are sunken and not covered by scales or the like. Often times men who suffer from alopecia areata also have changes in their skin Fingernails, especially grooves and rough spots can be observed here. The circular hair loss is the result of one Autoimmune reaction of the body. Autoimmune reaction means that the body is fighting against itself. Cells that are responsible for destroying intruders in the body are incorrectly programmed in their maturation phase and now attack the hair cells instead. These are recognized as "intruders" and are marked and digested by the phagocytes, the "garbage disposal" of the body. This creates one first inflammation, then that will entire tissue degraded. Under these circumstances, hair can no longer grow.

Alopecia areata usually stops by itself and the hair grows back at some point. It only becomes a problem as the disease progresses. That can lead to one total hair loss to lead. Therefore, a visit to the dermatologist is never wrong.

This disease is diagnosed by Taking a biopsy. in the laboratory it is examined for typical pathogens.

The therapy most commonly used at the moment is the application of a glucocorticoid solution. The glucocorticoids have an immunosuppressive effect. Because the hair loss due to an overactive immune system occurs, the attempt is made to stop the cells and allow the hair to develop in peace. The therapy extends over several months, during which the solution is applied regularly.

Medication Suppressing the body's autoimmune reactions without major side effects are currently being researched and would be an effective remedy for hair loss. Right now, immunosuppressants are still with so many Side effects afflicted and so expensive that application in the case of hair loss would by no means be justified.

Of the diffuse hair loss is to be mentioned as the last type of hair loss. It means that hair falling out all over the head, so the failure is not limited to a specific region. The reasons for this include Thyroid disease, Iron deficiency, hormonal disorders, massive stress or definitely Infectious diseases (here would be a typical example Shingles to call).

Since the causes are so diverse, a diagnosis is very difficult to make.

There are numerous other types of hair loss in men, but the three mentioned are considered to be the most common, while the other types are found in negligible numbers.

causes

In addition to the causes described above, hair loss can also be caused by other factors.

Hair loss in men can be justified with Metabolic diseases (for example Diabetes mellitus), Thyroid disease, at Infectious diseases (for example Scarlet fever, one Streptococcal infection), but also at STDs (syphilis in the late stage it can cause hair loss).

Not to be forgotten eating disorder how bulimia, anorexia or one-sided diets. Since more and more men are affected by this, it should be pointed out here that one-sided nutrition is not only for Weight reduction leads. The metabolism is disturbed and hair growth is hindered as a result.

stress is another factor that is becoming more and more important. People all the time professional or private stress are exposed to the risk of losing their head of hair. Clumps of hair loss can be observed in particularly stressful phases. The only remedy here is to reduce the triggering stress factors.

Smoke not only is bad for your metabolism that lung and White teeth, but can also damage the hair with the consequence of progressive hair loss.

All of the causes mentioned here tend to produce a general clearing of the main hair. The typical receding hairline and bald spots are not likely to arise in this way.

Treatment of hair loss in men

The treatment of hair loss in men can on the one hand be approached cosmetically, on the other hand it can be tried to achieve an improvement with medication.

Depending on the cause of the hair loss, medication only helps in rare cases. The side effects are usually so severe that it would not be appropriate to stress the body so much because of a cosmetic problem.

A lot can be concealed cosmetically. There are special hair pieces, so-called Toupeeswhich, made by a professional, look deceptively real.

Hair thickening can also be considered. The hair that is still there is compressed by a specialist in order to create the illusion of full hair. Hair thickening is either offered by hair replacement specialists (wig manufacturers or hair practices), or by specially trained hairdressers. There are several methods. Extensions can be glued, very similar to hair extensions on women. However, if the patient suffers from persistent hair loss, it is not recommended. The extensions weigh down the hair and would also fall out in the event of hair loss.

There is also the possibility of using a very thin lattice to which hair is attached to glue hair onto the head, so to speak. The hair stays in place regardless of its own head of hair and lasts about six months.

Another way to cover up hair loss is hair transplantation. Prominent examples of such an intervention are Silvio Berlusconi, Kevin Costner and Jürgen Klopp.

In such a transplant, a thin strip of hairy skin is removed from the hairline. The treating surgeon divides this strip of skin into small bundles, each with a few hair follicles, which are then painstakingly transplanted individually onto the bald area. The cost of such an operation is usually based on the number of grafts.

Hair pieces, thickening and hair transplants are relatively expensive and are only covered by health insurance in exceptional cases. The costs usually have to be paid out of pocket and are therefore not affordable for everyone.

The last option is to shave a bald head. While receding hairlines and thinning hair are perceived as a sign of age and relatively unattractive, according to various studies, baldness is often associated with professional success. According to studies, bald men appear more masculine, more dominant and more successful.