Hair Loss Research - What's New?
>> Wednesday, September 7, 2011
It may come as a surprise to some that hair loss research has become a field on its own. After all, men have been losing their locks for centuries and it has become an accepted fact of life. In some societies, bald men may even be considered more attractive than those with lots of hair.
Of course there are those members of the population that still prefer to have hair. A lot of these individuals even suffer from poor self-esteem when they start to lose their strands. This is one explanation behind the sudden boom of interest in hair research. The strong interest is growing even if far more serious medical conditions deserve attention.
Before dipping into new findings, it's crucial to first look at common knowledge. It is generally popular knowledge that in men, the condition is the result of testosterone getting processed into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and hair follicles dying. There was once a theory that the amount of DHT was directly related to the condition of hair shedding. It has since been discovered however that genetic makeup may have an even stronger influence on the condition. It is thus not just DHT that determines who loses hair but genetic inheritance as well.
Since the male condition is now fairly understood, several solutions have been generated. There are now a couple of synthetic DHT blockers that can help reduce or minimally reverse the condition. Some natural options are also being looked into. Saw palmetto for instance has been identified as a possible natural solution. It originally came under the radar of researchers because it was being studied for the possible benefits it could give men with prostate conditions. It holds some potential for blocking DHT. Do keep in mind though that to date, there is still no absolute cure for male balding.
Current research efforts now center on women. It has been found out by scientific inquiries and studies that females may also actually be suffering from a form of this condition. The difference between men and women though is that females don't really lose strands dramatically. Diffuse thinning is how the condition manifests itself in females. Not a lot of female sufferers will admit to this though.
Unfortunately, women may not benefit from many solutions used on men. To date, only a small percentage of minoxidil (one brand sample is Rogaine) is approved for treatment in women. Men may alternatively use finasteride.
One explanation to the necessity for caution in women is that there are secondary factors to consider. Hair loss in females can be the effect of stress, disease and hormonal fluctuations. Taking medication with the intention of relieving hair fall may cause more complications.
Scientists have definitely not gotten to the bottom of hair loss research. It's clear though that from the looks of it, many individuals, both male and female are eager for more research findings and conclusions.
Of course there are those members of the population that still prefer to have hair. A lot of these individuals even suffer from poor self-esteem when they start to lose their strands. This is one explanation behind the sudden boom of interest in hair research. The strong interest is growing even if far more serious medical conditions deserve attention.
Before dipping into new findings, it's crucial to first look at common knowledge. It is generally popular knowledge that in men, the condition is the result of testosterone getting processed into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and hair follicles dying. There was once a theory that the amount of DHT was directly related to the condition of hair shedding. It has since been discovered however that genetic makeup may have an even stronger influence on the condition. It is thus not just DHT that determines who loses hair but genetic inheritance as well.
Since the male condition is now fairly understood, several solutions have been generated. There are now a couple of synthetic DHT blockers that can help reduce or minimally reverse the condition. Some natural options are also being looked into. Saw palmetto for instance has been identified as a possible natural solution. It originally came under the radar of researchers because it was being studied for the possible benefits it could give men with prostate conditions. It holds some potential for blocking DHT. Do keep in mind though that to date, there is still no absolute cure for male balding.
Current research efforts now center on women. It has been found out by scientific inquiries and studies that females may also actually be suffering from a form of this condition. The difference between men and women though is that females don't really lose strands dramatically. Diffuse thinning is how the condition manifests itself in females. Not a lot of female sufferers will admit to this though.
Unfortunately, women may not benefit from many solutions used on men. To date, only a small percentage of minoxidil (one brand sample is Rogaine) is approved for treatment in women. Men may alternatively use finasteride.
One explanation to the necessity for caution in women is that there are secondary factors to consider. Hair loss in females can be the effect of stress, disease and hormonal fluctuations. Taking medication with the intention of relieving hair fall may cause more complications.
Scientists have definitely not gotten to the bottom of hair loss research. It's clear though that from the looks of it, many individuals, both male and female are eager for more research findings and conclusions.
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