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Every second man over 40 has a problem with losing hair density [1]. Women also struggle with this ailment, but to a much lesser extent. What are the most common causes of baldness? Can you prevent them effectively or limit intense hair loss?
The most common causes of baldness
On Polish streets, you can observe that the problem of baldness is more common than it might initially seem. Many men, including younger men, show a characteristic thinning of hair, mainly in the fronto-temporal and parietal areas.
Alopecia can have many causes, including:
- hormonal disorders – androgens,
- malnutrition or improper diet,
- chronic use of certain medications,
- food intolerances,
- postpartum period,
- low iron levels,
- some dermatological diseases, e.g. dandruff, mycosis, psoriasis,
- long-term stress,
- autoimmune diseases,
- metabolic diseases.
An alarming situation is the loss of more than 100 hairs a day. It is much easier to observe this problem in the case of dark hair, and slightly more difficult with light hair. Unfortunately, in most cases, this dermatological ailment gets swept under the rug. And the quick diagnosis of the disease with a dermatologist or experienced trichologist can significantly reduce baldness. It is diagnosed when the decrease in hair density has reached a value of at least 30%.
The risk of developing androgenetic alopecia increases if you have a family history of alopecia – primarily with your father or maternal grandfather.
Androgenetic alopecia – a common problem of Poles
Androgenetic alopecia is one of the types of alopecia that occurs primarily in men. The problem arises as a consequence of disorders of the sex hormones – androgens. Hair follicles are highly sensitive to DHT, i.e. dihydrotestosterone, formed as a result of testosterone transformation under the influence of the 5α-reductase enzyme. The effect of this mechanism is a gradual involution, i.e. the atrophy of the hair follicles, which inevitably leads to hair loss.
The ailment cannot be completely cured, but with the use of effective and safe methods, its management can be significantly limited. Due to very specific symptoms, dermatologists have no problem diagnosing androgenetic alopecia. Hair begins to thin out initially in the fronto-temporal area and then in the parietal area. In the later stages, single tufts of hair are only seen on the occiput and temples.
Due to the involvement of androgens, this type of alopecia very often occurs simultaneously with prostatic hypertrophy and ischemic heart disease.
Alopexy – an OTC drug for androgenetic alopecia in men
Alopexy, an over-the-counter medication to be applied directly to the scalp, is intended for men with moderate androgenetic alopecia. It can be used by men over 18 and under 65. The pipette allows you to accurately measure the amount of the preparation and spread it over the treated area.
The active substance of Alopexa is minoxidil, which acts locally by stimulating the growth of hair and epithelial cells, i.e. hair keratinocytes, in a certain group of patients with androgenetic alopecia. This phenomenon occurs after about 2 months of using the product and is individually variable.
The material was created in cooperation with Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetique Polska Sp. z o. o
PFDC/364/2021