How To Fight Genetic Hair Loss?

Experiencing hair fall and subsequent hair loss is a common scenario these days. Many times hair loss is associated with a genetically inherited condition. That means if a person has a history of hair loss or baldness in the family, they will most likely undergo the same pattern of hair loss. This condition, called androgenetic alopecia, occurs because of an extreme response to androgen. Read on to know more about genetic hair loss and how to fight it.

Androgenetic alopecia or hereditary pattern baldness occurs due to one’s genes. The risk of the condition is more if you have family members who have experienced this kind of hair loss. The condition is affected by androgens and will be impacted by your genetic blueprint, including your age, the pattern of hair loss, and the speed of hair loss.

Androgenetic alopecia can occur any time after you hit puberty. In men, the hair strands from the frontal scalp are affected first before those lying on the vertex. In women, the crown is most affected and not the frontal hairline.

Genetic hair loss is differentiated from regular hair loss based on the symptoms and certain distinguishing factors. For this, knowledge regarding different types of hair loss becomes mandatory.

1. Androgenetic Alopecia

As already discussed, androgenetic alopecia is male or female pattern baldness that can start any time after puberty and affects the person through his or her entire lifetime. Most men suffering from this genetic hair loss eventually become bald. In women, the condition leads to excessive hair thinning, while cases of baldness are very rare.

1. Androgenetic Alopecia

As already discussed, androgenetic alopecia is male or female pattern baldness that can start any time after puberty and affects the person through his or her entire lifetime. Most men suffering from this genetic hair loss eventually become bald. In women, the condition leads to excessive hair thinning, while cases of baldness are very rare.

2. Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that affects the hair follicles of certain spots on the scalp. The hair starts to fall out unexpectedly and suddenly, usually in small patches. The condition also prevents new hair strands from growing and can lead to complete hair loss.

3. Involutional Alopecia

Involutional alopecia is a naturally occurring phenomenon that results in thinning of hair with age. This happens when hair strands transition to the resting phase of the hair cycle, eventually leading to fewer and shorter hair strands.

4. Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a kind of hair loss when the hair follicles enter the resting phase, and there's a halt in the new growth phase. This leads to hair falling out from the scalp. Well, telogen effluvium does not engender baldness in general. The end result of the hair loss will be thin hair and more hair shedding, usually more than 100 strands per day.

5. Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium, a type of nonscarring alopecia, arises during the growth phase called anagen. It is associated with chemotherapy exposure and usually affects the scalp after 7 to 14 days of chemotherapy.

Based on gender, genetic hair loss manifests differently for an individual.

Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness usually starts from the age of 30 but can start any time after puberty. The exact pattern and speed of the hair loss are based on the individual’s family history. The condition depends on the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone and how sensitive your scalp is to this hormone.

Female Pattern Baldness

Also known as female hereditary hair loss, female pattern baldness generally occurs after 30, but the effect is more after menopause. The effect of this genetic hair loss is less in women, and the end result is extreme hair thinning.

Hereditary hair loss has no cure. However, the right treatment recommended by a dermatologist can help stop hair loss or at least slow it down.

There are two medicines available to treat androgenetic alopecia, namely finasteride and minoxidil. These prescription-only treatments are available in the form of tablets and solutions, respectively. While finasteride is recommended for men and works by blocking testosterone to dihydrotestosterone conversion, minoxidil can combat hair loss in both men and women. Treatments with both these medicines need to be adhered to consistently for visible results. Once the desired results are achieved, they continue to maintain hair growth.

Certain positive lifestyle changes can not only help you fight hair loss but also promote new hair growth.

• Make sure your body gets the correct dose of minerals like iron, zinc, biotin, and copper, along with protein for hair growth.
• Managing stress can stop stress-related hair loss. To de-stress, meditate for half an hour every day.
• Enjoy a good night’s sleep every night and sleep for at least eight hours a day.
• Building a fitness and health care regime will also help those struggling with hair loss.

Genetic hair loss accounts for 99% of hair loss in men and significantly impacts women's hair. Although it has no cure, its impact can be controlled to a greater extent. Talk to a dermatologist and ask for the right treatment to overcome hair loss-related stress.