Hair loss is the excessive loss of hairs. Every day the average person loses approximately 100 hairs, this has no visible effects as there are also about 100 hairs per day.If, however, you lose significantly more hair a day than you speak of hair loss. This can also have visible effects in the form of the thinning of the hair and after some time bare spots on the head can arise (baldness). Hair loss generally starts on top of the head or around the crown.
Hair loss can be caused by hormones, stress, fatigue, unhealthy food, smoking or as a side effect of certain medications. Hair loss is a consequence of treatment in various diseases (eg cancer)
Although both men and women have to deal with hair loss, about 50% of men suffer from Alopecia Androgenetica. This is also called hereditary hair loss in men. One in three men will experience this type of hair loss between the ages of 20 and 50. This usually manifests itself in a “retreating” hairline at the temples, the forehead or the crown.
The reason for this typical hair loss is genetic, namely sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5-alpha-reductase. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts the male hormone testosterone into DHT. This is the reason why men show such a typical hair loss pattern: women have much less testosterone in the body than men. Men who suffer from Androgenetic Alopecia show a typical pattern.
Hair loss has been studied over the centuries, and some interesting discoveries have been made. For example, men who were neutered never became bald. This is already a first indication that the male hormone testosterone has something to do with hair loss. In addition to the genetic factor, the diet also plays a role. This is a promising fact, because we can easily check this factor.
We now know that testosterone is the basis of baldness, can not we oblige the body to make less testosterone? Androgens are hormones produced by a man, of which testosterone is the most important. Androgens are produced by glands, which protect the body from dangerous, stressful situations by producing these hormones (and adrenaline).
When we end up in a threatening situation, the glands produce these hormones. But the glands in our western world are overloaded: we live under constant stress, which means that the production of adrenaline and testosterone is running at full speed, which of course promotes hair loss.
Recently, products have been brought onto the market that have scientifically proven to be effective against hair loss. They are available through your doctor.
