Genetic hair loss, hair loss can be one of the scariest event in our life, and the main reason of many psychological problems such as, loss of self-confidence, depression and anxiety, which in turn, reflect on our daily routine and activities not only among our family members, but also at the workplace where we always try our best to be attractive, and build up our confidence and self-esteem.
People can lose their hair for many reasons, such as certain illnesses, medications, which contain harsh chemicals, or it can be genetic, inherited from one the parents. However, in this article, we are going to cover the genetic hair loss, highlighting its symptoms and the instructions which patients should follow, in order to reduce hair loss.
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Genetic Hair Loss
Genetic Hair Loss is a common hair loss type inherited from one of the parents whose genes carry a specific genetic code responsible for baldness. Genetic Hair Loss is called by many names such as; Androgenetic alopecia and Hereditary-patterned baldness for both male and female.
Genetic Hair Loss is considered the most common type of hair loss, in which it is the main reason of more than the 95% of all pattern baldness cases.
The reason behind the genetic hair loss is the hormonal process of Testosterone converting to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which in turn, targets the hair follicles, hampering the growth of hair cells, and causing baldness.
Testosterone is a hormone responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics found in men much more than women, and the high level of it considered the reason of baldness; therefore, men are much more likely to have hair loss than women are. Although women have low levels of Testosterone, these low levels are sufficient to lead to hair loss for women.
Read More: Genetic Baldness Types, signs and the Risks of genetic baldness
Symptoms of hair loss
The symptoms of hair loss for men are different from those for women and those for children. However, generally, it starts with hairline receding leading to complete hair loss on different parts of the scalp, as we get older.
- The symptoms of male hair loss:
The person who predisposed to hair loss can notice thinning hair on his scalp during a hairbrush or showers, in which the hair density reduces gradually. Also, the receding hairline is another sign, which the patient may face. The patient starts to lose the hair on temples’ areas and his forehead, where baldness becomes more clear and big. Then, the crown of the scalp will be exposed to hair loss, taking a horseshoe-shaped pattern over time, while the hair at the back of the head where the donor area is, remains completely healthy. Moreover, hair loss causes the sensation of itching in the scalp.
- The symptoms of female hair loss:
The symptoms of female hair loss are so close to those in males, however, the female baldness is not as much obvious as the male baldness is, as well as, female hair loss happens slower than hair loss for men.
Women usually experience an excessive hair loss, which starts with bald spot on the crown area of the head, associated with slightly receding hairline. Hair thinning can also be one of the signs, which make the hair weak; therefore, it is more likely to fall off.
- The symptoms of hair loss for children and young adults:
Generally, children and young adults may experience a sudden hair loss; also, they may suffer from a complete hair loss from their bodies. Furthermore, children could also have patches of thinning hair or incomplete hair loss on the scalp and eyebrows.
Due to some health issues, such as illnesses, certain medications, anemia and stress, these entire reasons can cause children to suffer from excessive hair shedding, in both scalp and eyebrows.
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The signs of the genetic hair loss:
Genetic hair loss symptoms are not that different from the normal hair loss symptoms, moreover, some symptoms are similar.
For men:
- Temples and crown are the first areas, which are targeted by genetic hair loss, in which the hair takes an “M-shaped” pattern.
- Bald spots start to appear on the crown area of the head.
- Follicles Weakness, which leads to hair loss easily.
- Hairline receding, in which the patient loses the hair on both sides of the head.
- The follicles in the donor areas might be thinned, and start to weaken slightly.
- In the advanced stages of genetic hair loss, near-total baldness may happen. Nevertheless, the donor area remains the same.
For women:
- The crown of the head is most likely to be affected, in which the hair takes a “Christmas tree” pattern.
- Hair thinning, which makes the hair weak and easy to break off.
- The hairline along the forehead and temples are usually not affected, and the hair loss rarely develops to a complete baldness.
Read More: Genetic Baldness Types, signs and the Risks of genetic baldness
Recommendations and Instructions
It is difficult to regrow new hair for people who are genetically predisposed to hair loss, however, some hair care instructions can help protect hair and stop further hair loss.
- Do not use hairdryers and hairdressers: The use of electric hair dryers (dry blower and perm), and others similar to these two, because they weaken and damage the structure of the hair, and thus they lead to hair loss. You should be careful to expose your hair to a high temperature directly. Also, you must be careful if you usually use (Flatirons or curling irons) and all chemical substances such as creams and hair stabilizers, used with them, as they contain strong chemicals that will expose your hair with time, to damage and therefore lead it to fall off.
- Make sure to use a freshwater through your shower, saline water (salt water) and limewater in particular damage the roots of your hair and lead to a noticeable decline in hair growth, and within a short period.
- Energizing the blood circulation that reaches the scalp. We know that the blood perfusion that reaches the scalp, especially in the crown of the head, is less than the required ratios for the hair nutrition, so it is recommended to perform a light massage with fingers to the scalp and comb hair softly in the four directions daily. During the stimulation of the circulatory system, the oxygen levels that reach the scalp increase and thus the hair gets a much better nutrition.
- Healthy food can strengthen and keep your hair healthy and shiny. There are some kinds of food contain essential fatty acids which can be very useful for your hair, such as salmon, tuna, flaxseed oil, and walnuts. Moreover, both Iron and Zinc elements are considered to be the direct responsible for hair health or weakness. They are both found in beef, lamb, seafood, whole grains, beans, and peas. They are also found in green leaves such as Spinach, Molokhia, Watercress, and Lettuce. In addition to nuts and dark chocolate. Furthermore, vitamins B6 and B12 also play an important role in maintaining healthy hair. You can get these vitamins from meat, fish, butter and other kinds of dairy foods. Additionally, protein is considered one of the important sources for keeping your hair healthy. We can find them in fish, chicken, eggs, or plant protein, and soy products.
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