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The truth about testosterone and hair loss
Hair loss is an extremely common problem for both men and women and it can be very troubling when experienced first-hand, especially if you aren’t prepared or expecting it to happen. With hair loss an issue in around 40% of men in their mid-thirties, it is important to know that you are not alone when it comes to hair loss. Of course, hair loss is also a serious issue for women but in this piece we are mainly focusing on male hair loss and the role of testosterone.
Those suffering from hair loss often look to find the primary reasons behind it, but there is a lot of mis-information around concerning why and how hair loss occurs. With hair loss being something that around 80% of men will eventually encounter, even 40% of women by the age of 40 will suffer from thinning hair, it is important to get the facts straight.
Causes of Hair Loss
There are a number of reasons why hair loss occurs and in some instances the effects aren’t always permanent. Certain cases of Alopecia, along with instances of Anagen Effluvium and Telogen Effluvium, are generally considered to only be a temporary cause of hair loss, with hair able to grow back normally in a period of months.
Male pattern baldness however, is a hereditary condition that is present in a large number of men. This permanent condition will eventually lead to significant hair thinning and a receding hair line. In some cases this can eventually lead to complete baldness. With the majority of cases of hair loss being caused by male pattern baldness, this is where most of the misconceptions lie and the truth about testosterone’s role becomes murky.
The Role of Testosterone
One of the biggest myths about hair loss is that it is the direct result of testosterone levels, a myth that many use to explain why women don’t suffer from hair loss to the same extent as men do. Men and women both contain varying levels of the testosterone hormone along with the oestrogen hormone. While testosterone is a factor in hair loss, the testosterone levels in your body aren’t the defining reason why hair loss may be becoming a problem, but they do play an important role.
It is not testosterone itself that can cause hair loss, but a molecule produced by testosterone, known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is produced when testosterone becomes synthesised with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which is made naturally in the body. Over time, DHT makes hair follicles reduce in size, activating the thinning of hair until the follicles close completely and no more hair is able to grow.
DHT plays many important roles in the maintenance, protection and regulation of the human body, with hair loss being a potential negative result of its purpose. The process required to form DHT only happens with around 5% of the testosterone in the body. While this does mean that the higher the testosterone levels, the more chance that DHT will be produced, it is again, not a defining factor. Only people with a genetic predisposition to the negative effects of DHT will be prone to the effects of DHT production with the result of hair loss.
If you are experiencing hair loss our hair loss concealer spray could provide you with the solution.
Hair transplant post-op info
Hair loss is a common problem in both men and women. Those that suffer from hair loss, particularly in cases of male pattern baldness or a maturing hairline, often choose to undergo a hair transplant procedure. The surgical operation allows those who suffer from baldness to gain a new lease on life and benefit from a fuller head of hair.
There are two methods widely used for hair transplantation: follicular unit extraction, abbreviated as FUE and follicular unit strip surgery, known as FUSS. FUE involves the individual removal of hair follicles, often from the back of the head, while FUSS involves removing a strip of follicles from a donor site on the body for use on the scalp.
As with any surgical operation, after a hair transplant there are a number of protocols that patients must follow in order to keep their scalp protected and allow for the hair to regrow. These include immediate care, vital care within the first two weeks and ongoing care to ensure that the best regrowth is enabled. Once the hair has started to regrow, hair thickening spray can then be used to create a full natural look.
The Days Following Your Procedure
Immediately after the hair transplant surgery, the area will be extremely tender and the doctor will generally wrap the scalp in bandages to prevent infection and to protect the area. The first few days after surgery are some of the most important days and certain care must be provided to the area if the transplant is to be a success. For the first 12 hours after the procedure, many doctors require that a saline solution is sprayed onto the scalp at 20-minute intervals.
While the area cannot be touched, the solution must be applied to every follicle and once the 12 hours are over, after sleep, this has to be continued at 30-minute intervals for up to 3 days. The process stops scabs from forming on the tender area and enables the grafts to stay fully hydrated.
The First Two Weeks of Care
After the first 3 days, a regime of shampooing is suggested to keep the area clean and hydrated. Every day a mixture of approved shampoo and water must be applied to the scalp and then gently wiped away afterwards. After between 7 and 10 days, any stitches used in FUSS procedures will be removed but the careful regime of shampoo washing is generally advised to continue up until 14 days after the operation.
Ongoing Care After Your Hair Transplant
Once the first 14 days are over, the level of care needed to maintain the area significantly reduces and it is advised to return to a normal regime of hair washing. However, any intense activity could still agitate the area, so refraining from excessive exercise or heavy lifting is advised for at least 2 more weeks.
Hair Thickening Spray Post-Op
It often takes a period of 12-18 months for hair to regrow fully after a transplant, but in many patients the hair will see some growth after a period of 3 months, after the transplanted hair has fallen out. During this time and ongoing, hair thickening spray is commonly used to make the new hair appear fuller. The best quality hair thickening spray works unobtrusively with transplanted hair to further increase the thicker appearance, helping people to get the most out of their hair transplant.
Cancer and hair loss
If you or someone in your family is battling with cancer, finding even the smallest things to boost confidence and keep on fighting is extremely important. Coping with cancer is difficult and the treatments can bring about stress that isn’t needed. Hair loss is one of the primary causes of post-treatment stress – having to go through the process of watching your hair thin or fall out is not easy. While not all cancer treatments cause hair loss, it is common in many of the widely used ones. Knowing what to expect, in terms of hair loss, before the treatment starts can go some way to preparing yourself.
Radiotherapy and Hair Loss
Radiotherapy treatments can differ in scope depending on whereabouts on your body treatment is required. Unlike some other treatment options, radiotherapy only causes hair loss in the area of your body where the treatment is being directed, so the effects won’t be widespread. However, the resulting hair loss can differ significantly from person to person.
The extent of hair loss can be dependent on the amount of treatment that is needed and the degree of dosage required. There can also be some changes to how the hair grows back, with some patients seeing all their hair regrow, while others only having partial regrowth after the treatment. In rarer cases, the hair loss can also be permanent.
Chemotherapy and Hair Loss
Hair loss in chemotherapy, like radiotherapy, can vary depending on which treatment is being undertaken. Certain chemotherapy drugs will hinder the body’s natural growth cycle for hair, causing hair to fall out and stop growing during the treatment. As the treatment attacks cancer cells, it also affects those that control the growth of hair, but in the majority of cases this will only last during treatment.
Some chemotherapy drugs don’t cause hair loss, while others can bring about complete hair loss very quickly. Combinations of different drugs can result in individual results, with many internal factors such as your reaction to the drugs and dosage of drugs playing a vital role in the type of hair loss suffered. Most chemotherapy patients will see their hair growth return to normal, but in very few cases it can remain thinner or hair loss could be permanent.
Going Forward With A Hair Loss Concealer
When suffering with hair loss due to cancer treatment, there are a few options available to patients to keep their confidence up. Some patients choose to wear tailor-made wigs that are close to their original style or in a brand-new style, while others like to wear head scarves to make themselves more comfortable.
In cases where there isn’t complete hair loss during treatment or during the regrowth stage, RESTRAND hair loss concealer is a very popular option. It is usually used by those who suffer from hair loss due to inherited conditions, ageing or external stress. RESTRAND hair loss concealer is an easy to apply option that makes thin hair look thicker and fuller, giving you the appearance of a full head of hair.
Hair loss can be a daunting prospect when going through cancer treatment, but staying confident and knowing there are options to help can make the process a little easier.
Hair loss and depression
There are many factors which can contribute to hair loss and the reasons behind your hair loss could be attributed to a combination of influences. Inherited conditions such as male pattern baldness are common instigators of baldness, along with other problems such as vitamin deficiencies and underactive thyroid glands. One of the most common conditions associated with hair loss is that of depression, with depression itself and many of the side-effects directly influencing hair loss.
What Is Depression?
Depression is classed as a serious mental disorder, with around a quarter of people within the UK suffering from a form of depression or mental disorder every year. The condition affects people differently, with some people suffering from more severe cases that often cause them to withdraw and become less interested in daily life.
Depression can be brought about by external influences such as through stress or the death of a loved one, but some people can be more prone to developing it due to their genealogy. The physical side-effects of depression can also vary and those that suffer for long periods of time can be at risk of hair loss; something that can worsen the depression.
The Link Between Depression and Hair Loss
There are many ways that depression can contribute to hair loss; the result of the illness and the treatment of the disorder can all be factors in significant hair loss. Environmental stress that can cause depression can also prolong the resting period that our hair goes through every few years. When our hair stops growing, it goes through a phrase of thinning; stress can be a factor in making this period come about quicker and last longer.
Some of the side-effects of depression, such as rapid weight loss, can also cause hair loss to occur. Loss of appetite during depression is common and when the body loses weight too quickly, it starts to be put under stress. This stress can also instigate the resting period of hair early, causing it to thin and fall out. The low-esteem brought about through depression can also cause people to stop taking care of their hair, allowing it to dry out through lack of nutrients and eventually break or fall out.
One of the most common causes of hair loss in association with depression is the medication that is used to treat it. Certain varieties of anti-depressant such as Prozac are known causers of hair loss, with prolonged use bringing about increased loss of hair in some cases. Again, like many of the links between depression and hair loss, this can cause hair follicles to enter the resting period sooner.
Bring Back Your Confidence With Our Hair Thickening Spray
Individuals who suffer from depression generally have a lower level of confidence than average, affecting their day to day lives in many ways. Having to cope with hair loss on top of the other depression symptoms can stop confidence being re-established, which is why the use of an instant hair thickening spray is so widely adopted. RESTRAND hair thickening spray provides a solution to hair loss. It gives the appearance of a fuller head of hair, and thus reducing the stress related to hair loss. While hair thickening spray can’t stop hair loss, taking a step towards reducing stress can help to build back confidence, especially when seeking help for depression.
Why do men lose their hair?
It is perfectly normal for men to lose hair as they get older, but it is also becoming more common for the younger generation to experience this as well. Unfortunately, this leaves many of us asking why our hair is thinning or why our hair is receding.
The human body contains approximately five million hair follicles, while the scalp (before any hair loss has occurred) contains 100,000 to around 150,000 hair follicles. It is in fact blondes who have the highest number of follicles, followed by brunettes, and those with red hair have the fewest.
Normal hair growth cycle
Before you wonder why you are losing your hair, it is important to understand the natural hair cycle which occurs within the human body. This happens in three phases; Anagen, Catagen and Telogen and every single hair goes through these phases, with each relating to a different state of activity.
The growing phase – Anagen
The first phase, Anagen, is the growing stage, and lasts for around 1,000 days in the human scalp, but can last for as long as six years! During this phase, hair cells multiply rapidly, the hair shaft grows in diameter and hair reaches maximum length.
Transitional phase – Catagen
The Catagen phase lasts for around two weeks and is the transitional or regressive phase where the hair stops growing before the next phase begins.
Resting phase – Telogen
This is the resting stage, which can last for five or six weeks, and during this phase, the hair simply rests. Towards the end of this phase, activity in the hair follicle starts again, and a new hair in the Anagen phase develops, forcing old Telogen hair out.
Why?
We lose lots of hair throughout the day, about 50-100 hairs to be exact, and this can happen during your morning shower and when you are combing it. However, losing a lot of your hair can be due to a number of things. In most cases, it is just due to age and just the natural process, because the body just simply slows down the process of producing hair follicles, meaning they just aren’t as productive as the once were in your youth.
As we said above, for some people the onset of hair loss can happen earlier than they would want. Often these reasons can be genetic and lie in a person’s family tree. In some cases, a grandparent may have lost their hair early in their adult life, and it may occur in their children or skip a generation; this is usually the main cause of hair loss. As men get older they may notice a receding hairline start to develop, which over time may turn to bald patches and eventually full baldness. There can often be medical reasons to explain why a person is losing their hair, as it can be a side effect of medication, stress or due to being ill.
As we age, the natural process of losing hair is actually called ‘male pattern baldness’. The reason this occurs in both men and women is usually down to levels of testosterone as we get older. Men produce a lot of testosterone in comparison to women who produce very little of the hormone, for different biological reasons. This causes the hair follicles to fail and as a result, when hair starts to fall out, it does not get exchanged with new follicles. As men produce more testosterone than women they experience more hair loss as they get older.
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