Baldness is a condition in which a person experiences partial or complete hair loss on the scalp. Most common hair loss causes are connected with an imbalance of hormones. Increased levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone, can decrease the productive function of hair follicles. Over time hair becomes thinner and eventually falls out, baldness occurs when the rate at which hair falls is greater than the rate of hair growth.
Hair loss (Balding), is much more common in men than in women. It usually begins on the sides, near the front, or on the top of the head toward the back. Hair loss can begin at any age, even in the middle teen years. Some people lose only some hair and develop a bald spot in the back of the head or a receding hairline, others may go completely bald. Hair loss can result from genetic factors, aging, local skin conditions, stress and diseases that affect the body generally (systemic diseases). Some medications, such as those used to treat cancer, also cause hair loss.
More than 50% of women over the age of 40 experience significant hair loss (Androgenetic alopecia ) or thinning hair. The Hair loss can be temporary or long lasting, patchy or all over the scalp.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women:
- Genetics (from Mother or Father)
- Inadequate nutrition (insufficient protein and iron intake)
- Physical and emotional stress
- Unbalanced thyroid levels
- DHT buildup in follicles
- Side effects of prescription medications; including retinoids, blood pressure medicine, anti-depressants and certain types of birth control pills.
- Discontinuing birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
- Extremely High Fevers
- Diseases such as diabetes and lupus
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Most types of hair loss have no cure. A person with male-pattern or female-pattern baldness may undergo hair transplantation, in which hair follicles are removed from one part of the body and transplanted. Some medications or hair loss products, such as topical minoxidil, may promote hair growth in a small percentage of people. The oral drug finasteride may also promote hair growth, but both have a number of possible side effects, including sexual side effects.
Hair transplants are a surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes a plug of hair from an area where hair has not yet thinned, and transplants it in an area where hair has been lost. If choosing this route, carefully research the surgeon as nothing looks as bad as a poorly done hair transplant.
One of the more increasingly popular balding remedies is laser therapy hair loss treatment. Laser therapy is a non-surgical procedure that uses a device that directs light energy from 30 rotating positions, hitting 600 places on your head. The laser light is meant to stimulate cell metabolism and repair damaged cells. Treatment by lasers for hair and regrowth often has to be repeated, sometimes as often as once every month.
A natural hair loss remedy may be helpful for healthy hair growth.
Nutrients are vitally important in creating the proper environment for healthy hair growth. A diet that includes a lot of junk food could promote inflammation and be harmful to hair growth, whereas a healthy diet, that includes soy products, vegetables, fish or fish oil may help to reduce hair loss over time. Hair is made of protein, so it is important to have a natural balance of protein intake in your diet. This can help with healthy hair growth and regrowth of any lost hair. Hair also needs certain vitamins, such as B vitamins, in order to grow properly. Taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement is a good way to keep your hair healthy. Scientific studies indicate the combination of Saw Palmetto, Pygeum, Melatonin and Beta Sitosterol could be helpful in reducing or slowing the effects of hair loss by balancing levels of dihydrotestosterone. In addition to the well-known hormonal influences of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the hair cycle, melatonin has been reported to have a beneficial effect on hair growth in animals.
In order to avoid the side effects and inconvenience of medical treatment methods, more and more people are looking for natural alternative balding remedies. These natural treatments often carry other health benefits, as well.
Hair Loss Studies:
“…60% of (6/10) study subjects dosed with the active study formulation of beta sitosterol and Saw-Palmetto were rated as improved at the final visit.” ~ Clinical Research and Development Network, Aurora, CO, USA.
“Melatonin increases anagen hair rate in women with androgenetic alopecia or diffuse alopecia: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.” ~ Br J Dermatol. 2004 Feb;150(2):341-5.
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