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Hair Loss - Did You Know?

The average person has approximately 5 million hairs throughout their body.

The average scalp contains approximately 100,000 hairs. On average roughly 100 hairs are lost from your scalp each day.

Anyone - men, women and children - can experience hair loss.

Men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or “pattern baldness” affects many more men than women.

About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years of age, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.

An estimated 40% of women experience noticeable hair loss by age 40. This hair loss can begin as early as a woman’s 20’s.

Medical Reasons for Hair Loss

In men, hair loss is not usually caused by a disease; however, medically it is believed that the most common reasons are related to aging, genetics and testosterone.  Medically the main reasons for women's hair loss are thyroid, stress and menopause.

Other Reasons for Hair Loss

Alopecia - is a form of hair loss from areas of the body, usually from the scalp. Because it causes bald spots on the head, especially in the first stages, it is sometimes called spot baldness. In 1–2% of cases, the condition can spread to the entire scalp.

Poor Nutrition - Having inadequate protein or iron in your diet or poor nourishment can lead to hair loss.

Medications - Certain drugs used to treat gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure can cause hair loss in some people.

Hair Products - Chemicals used for washing, conditioning, dying, tinting, bleaching, straightening or perming can cause hair to become damaged and break off if they are overused or used incorrectly. Excessive hair styling or hairstyles that pull your hair too tightly also can cause some hair loss.

  • Burns
  • Certain infectious diseases such as syphilis
  • Chemotherapy and Radiation
  • Emotional and physical stress
  • Excessive shampooing and blow drying
  • Fever
  • Hormonal changes during childbirth or use of birth control pills
  • Thyroid problems
  • Nervous habits such as continual hair pulling of scalp and rubbing
  • Tinea capitis - ringworm of the scalp
  • Diabetes
 

Current Hair Loss Options

Option #1-Medications

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

This over the counter medication is approved for the treatment of alopecia. Rogaine is a liquid that you rub on your scalp twice daily to re-grow hair and to prevent further loss.

Side Effects - can cause irritation of the scalp

Effectiveness - Follicles has never had anyone report positive results with this medication.

Finasteride (Propecia)

This is a prescribed medication to treat male pattern baldness and is taken in pill form.

Propecia works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and is an important factor in male hair loss. Propecia is not approved for use in women and actually poses significant danger to women of childbearing age.

Side Effects - 1 in 12 people will experience diminished sex drive and sexual function for a period up to 3 years.

Effectiveness - Follicles has never had anyone report positive results with this medication.

Corticosteroids

Injections of corticosteroids are completed monthly for the treatment of Alopecia.

Pills, creams and ointments can also be prescribed.

Effectiveness - Follicles has never had anyone report positive results with this medication.

Anthralin (Drithocreme)

Available as a cream or ointment - to be applied to scalp for psoriasis and alopecia.

Effectiveness - Follicles has never had anyone report positive results with this medication.
 

Current Hair Loss Options Cont.

Option #2 - Surgical procedures

Hair transplants, hair restoration and scalp reduction surgery are available to treat hair loss when option #1 has failed.

During a hair transplant or hair restoration surgery a cosmetic surgeon takes tiny plugs or hair follicles from the back or side of your scalp where hair presently grows and implants them into the areas of hair loss. Usually several transplant sessions are needed.

Side Effects - very painful

Effectiveness - Ongoing work is always needed

Cost - Minimum $7/follicle

E.g. 3000 follicles transplanted $21,000

Scalp Reduction Surgery, as the name implies, means decreasing the area of bald skin on your head. Your scalp and the top of your head may seem to have a snug fit. But the skin can become flexible and stretched enough for some of it to be surgically removed. After hairless scalp is removed, the space is closed with hair covered scalp. Doctors can also fold hair-bearing skin over an area of bald skin in a scalp reduction technique called a flap.

Side Effects - life long pain and discomfort as well as possible infection and scarring.

Effectiveness - minimal with potential long term appearance problems

Cost - depends on size of area completed. Minimal surgeon charge $2500/hour

Option #3 - Laser Therapy

Low light lasers were developed in Europe. They deliver light energy directly from multiple rotating lasers to the scalp.

Effectiveness - Follicles has never had anyone report positive results with this procedure.

Cost - Minimum $4500

Option #4 - Wigs and Hairpieces

These can be used to cover either permanent or temporary hair loss.

Effectiveness - maximum