Causes and reasons for hair loss

The most common cause of balding or thinning hair in men is genetic. Contrary to what most people think, Androgenetic Alopecia, better known as inherited male pattern baldness, can come from either the mother's or the father's side of the family.

Male pattern baldness can start in your teens. Most often, it starts in your twenties or thirties. It starts as either a receding hairline at the temples or a thinning at the crown area and progresses according to a set genetic pattern.

There are other types of hair loss (alopecia) ranging from patchy hair loss to total hair loss of the scalp to hair loss over the entire body.

In addition to alopecia conditions, hair loss can be caused by physical or emotional stress, disease, certian prescription drugs or even poor nutrition. It can also be caused by chemotherapy or radiation.

Contrary to public belief, wearing hats doesn't make hair loss worse. However hiding under a hat doesn't help either.

As many as 1 out of 3 men will experience hair loss in their liftime. But it doesn't have to have a negative effect on your life.

If you're having any abnormal hair loss - (50-150 hairs lost per day is normal) - call AMS Designs. It's important to know what's causing the loss, and what options you have for corrective measures.

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The types of hair loss

1. Androgenetic Alopecia (Male / Female Pattern Hair Loss)
2. Alopecia Areata, Totalis or Universalis
3. Improper Diet
4. Medications
5. Chemotherapy Induced Hair Loss
6. Radiation Induced Hair Loss


What is androgentic alopecia and what causes it?

Coping with hair loss has taken such various steps from miracle magical ointments and potions to altering the way one wears their hair, hair additions and hair alternatives to surgical hair transplants. Baldness has been a part of the aging process as far back as history will take us. But, somehow we disregard history and can't imagine or accept the fact that there is no absolute cure at this time.

Understanding the causes of alopecia may help us cope and may indicate exactly why to date there is no absolute cure.

Androgentic alopecia is the term for either male or female hair loss and can be broken down into two parts.

1. Androgen - various hormones that affect the developmental characteristics of appearance

2. Genetic - inherited genes from either the mother or the father.

Add age which represents a time clock that signals the hair follicle to produce an enzyme named 5 alpha reductase. When the testosterone present in the follicle combines with the enzyme 5 alpha reductase it produces dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The hair follicle is extremely sensitive to DHT and thereby starts the negative process for male or female hair loss. This chemical reaction can start as early as in your teenage years but, more often starts in your twenties or thirties. Hair loss generally starts either as a receding hairline at the temples or a thinning in the crown area and progresses according to a set genetic pattern known as "male pattern baldness".

Alopecia is the term used for hair loss. Alopecia can be distinguished by a general all over thinning, a patchy void of hair area, total hair loss of the scalp or hair loss over the entire body. Some of the known causes of alopecia are physical or emotional stress, disease or illness, certain prescription drugs, poor nutrition or vitamin deficiency and as of recent research data alopecia has been linked to the immune system. Alopecia can also be the direct results of radiation therapy and/or the administration of certain chemotherapy type drugs.

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What is genetic hair loss?

In Genetic Hair Loss either the mother or father may transfer the dominant gene which precipitates the loss of hair. At a genetically predetermined age the process begins, the body produces the enzyme called 5 Alpha Reductase. This enzyme is then metabolized into Dyhydrotestosterone (dht), dht gradually slows down the growth cycle of the hair and in many cases this process becomes so pronounced the loss is dramatic.


Topical treatments

There are any number of topical treatments on the market today Minoxidal with 2% and 5% Rogaine is the only topical treatment that has been granted FDA approval. Another topical treatment which has undergone FDA testing as well as clinical testing at one of the largest universities in California is dht SENSOR. This product has shown to have significant effect on eliminating the enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase, the leading cause of genetic hair loss.


Surgical procedures

The most commonly known surgical procedure is hair transplantation. This is when hair is removed from an area of the scalp that is determined to be less likely to be effected by genetic hair loss, the hair is then reintroduced to the scalp where the hair is needed (once the hair is removed from the donor area hair will not grow back in that area). Another procedure is scalp reduction, this is when a balding or thinning area of the scalp is excised (removed) this procedure strives to reduce the amount of balding or thinning area from the head completely. There is also the flap method. This is when a section of hair from the side of the head is moved to the front or top of the head.


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Cosmetic hair restoration

1. Wigs: This type of cosmetic hair restoration is best suited for an individual experiencing complete and or uncontrolled patchy hair loss. A wig may also be used for many forms of temporary fashion hair.

2. Integration: This is used to create volume and or length to thin hair. The existing hair is combined with the hair in the integration to create any number of styles and looks. An integration is a perfect temporary option for many of today’s styles and color effects.

3. Stock Hair Additions: Stock full head hair addition (cranial prosthesis) is the favored choice for chemotherapy and radiation induced hair loss, due to the fact that this particular item is generally available either immediately or within 24 hours. Stock partials (top of the head) is best suited for the individual experiencing thinning in a specific area of the head or some one looking for a definite style. Stock partials are good for fashion style such as up - dos and high or low lighted coloring. Stock hair additions are generally available immediately and for use in fashion situations they tend to be more cost effective

4. Extensions: Extensions are used for added length and fullness similar to an integration this method allows the technician to specifically design the amount of hair to be added. The hair are attached to the individuals existing hair creating any number of styles and looks (if the hair is damaged or to thin this method may not be applicable).

5. Custom Hair Additions: This form of hair restoration is the best for all forms of thinning hair and hair loss. A custom hair addition is designed by the technician specifically for the individuals needs, expectations and lifestyle. Custom hair additions are designed to fit the specific needs or fashion desires of the individual.

Cosmetic hair restoration remains the most commonly used method of hair replacement. One of the main reasons is the immediate results achieved, cosmetic hair restoration is also the safest methods while allowing a variety of applications.

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