WHY AM I BALD?
Most people recognize this. This is also not surprising because this occurs in about 7 out of 10 men in the Netherlands. It’s different for women. About 4 out of 10 women suffer from excessive hair loss, thinning hair or baldness.
BALDNESS IN WOMEN IS ANOTHER STORY
Despite the fact that a large group of women still suffer from baldness, excessive hair loss or thinning hair, you would expect it to be as accepted as in men. But society deals with it differently. Women and hair salons are also good at hiding this problem, depending on the size and place on the head. As a result, it is less noticeable and generations grow up with women who cannot be seen on the outside that there is baldness, thin hair or excessive hair loss.
However, it is a different story if this problem starts at a very young age. Then comes a time when it is no longer possible to hide and another solution must be sought such as scalp micropigmentation, a hair transplant or a wig.
Even if the woman, regardless of age, is no longer able to hide due to the size and nature of the problem. Then women will isolate themselves more or they will look for an easy and beautiful natural solution such as micro hair pigmentation or hair transplantation.
In men, over the years, this problem has become more accepted. A group of men don’t have a problem with that either. Especially the group of middle-aged men. But also in this group are men who also experience it as a big problem.
As soon as men suffer from excessive hair loss at a very young age, it starts to stand out just like in women. Especially in teens, this can have an impact and cause mental health problems. At this age, you stand out, you fall out of the boat and you get bullied with it.
Alopecia
The cause of Alopecia is still unknown but it is one of the conditions that can overwhelm someone, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender.
FORMS OF ALOPECIA AND HAIR LOSS
ALOPECIA ANDROGENETICS
This is the most common form in men and a little less in women. But it’s a form in men that has been most accepted by society anyway as about 7 out of 10 men on top of their heads go bald.
The cause in men lies in the hereditary sensitivity of the hairs to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Unfortunately, in most cases this only applies to the hairs on top of the head. The hairs on the back and sides then remain. This DHT causes the hair roots to shrivel and the hairs fall out and then do not grow back.
In women, this form begins with divorce. It’s getting wider and wider. The hairline on the forehead usually remains intact.
The cause in women is also hereditary, but menopause can also play a role in this. A hormonal examination can help with that.
ALOPECIA AREATA, TOTALIS AND UNIVERSALIS
Alopecia Areata has spot-based hair loss and causes bald patches on the head, in the beard area, pubic area or eyebrows. In addition, there is a risk that the bald patches will pass to complete baldness of the head (Alopecia Totalis) or all over the body (Alopecia Universalis).
This form is almost certainly an autoimmune disorder and happens to you suddenly. The hairs are not recognized as if they do not belong to the body and are repelled. The hairs can come back but cannot be guaranteed.
EXCESSIVE HAIR LOSS DUE TO STRESS (TELOGENE DEFLUVIUM)
If many hairs end up in the so-called Telogene phase (resting phase) at the same time, many hairs fall out. This occurs all over the scalp because many hairs linger in the shower pit or remain on the pillow or remain in the comb or brush. This form of hair loss causes the skin on the skull to become more visible.
The cause is stress due to pregnancy, illness or psychological stress. This form can recover within a year but not completely.
HAIR LOSS CAUSED BY MEDICINES
The most well-known form is hair loss due to chemo treatment. Lesser known drugs are blood thinners, retinoids, lithium, antimalarial drugs, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. The hair can come back after chemo or drug use in these cases.
HAIR LOSS DUE TO SCARRING ON THE SCALP OR BEARD AREA
Scars on the scalp or in the beard area can arise from various causes. By accident, burning, hair transplantation, radiation and skin inflammation. Because the hair follicles have disappeared in the scar area, no more hairs can grow. Even after healing the skin in question. The best solution, especially for scarring in the beard area or through a hair transplant, is a treatment with scalp micropigmentation.
TRACTION ALOPECIA AND TRICHOTILLOMANIA
Hair loss due to Traction alopecia is caused by hairstyles in which the hairs are constantly subject to traction (pulling). Examples are a rasta hairstyle, certain tightly tied ponytails and braids or the application of a curling set. If this traction lasts too long, the hair can stay away permanently. Trichotillomania is sometimes seen as a psychiatric disorder because the patient constantly pulls the hair or turns the hair around the finger due to stress or a “tap”. This form, as with traction Alopecia, causes local baldness as the hair is always taxed in the same place. In case of Trichotillomania, the hair can come back if the “tick” or habit is stopped.