Hair Loss News

Navigation

Hair Loss News Archives


October 2006

Now the Genetic Hair Loss Can be Treated


The gene's erratic behavior also means that some people start losing their hair sooner than others. The amount of hair loss can vary, too, but some degree of hair loss is nearly universal among men.

Based on the research made by the doctor many of the physicians concluded that our genes do indeed determine how much hair we'll have and how long we'll keep it, says Dr. Allen, a Medford dermatologist.

The gene's erratic behavior also means that some people start losing their hair sooner than others.

The amount of hair loss can vary, too, but some degree of hair loss is nearly universal among men. Allen says about 96 percent of all men will eventually experience at least some hair thinning in the temples even if they don't lose hair anywhere else.

"The most common form of hair loss, known as male pattern baldness (or "androgenetic alopecia") is extremely common and it affects more than half of all men.

Hair gradually disappears from the top and sides of the head, but a fringe of varying density remains around the ears", sources said. Majority of scientists believe that male pattern hair loss is inherited from either side of the family and the chemical that causes hair loss is called as dihydrotestosterone which is most commonly known as DHT.

Propecia was developed as a medicine to treat male pattern hair loss. Its ability to promote hair growth was discovered as a side effect. It was originally a prescription medicine, but can now be purchased over the counter.

Propecia, which is a prescription medicine, works by decreasing DHT, the chemical that causes the hair follicles to shrink. Nobody knows the mechanism that makes Rogaine work, Allen says. If you're already losing your hair and that bugs you, the sooner you start treatment the better. "It's easier to stop losing hair, than to replace hair that's gone," says Dr. John Smith.