Hair loss, or more medically recognised as alopecia, is a widespread affliction that has plagued millions of people worldwide and is characterised by the thinning or total loss of hair follicles on the area of the body where the hair is supposed to grow, most notably, the head. It may appear in many forms: hair loss on the crown or thinning hair line, patchy hair loss, or baldness. These are varied and factor in genetic tendencies (such as androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness), hormonal variation, dietary deficiency, stress, select drugs, auto-immune conditions, and scalp infections. Hair loss may considerably affect a person's self-worth and mental state. Hair loss therapies are numerous medical and cosmetic procedures to prevent or lessen the process of hair loss, promote the growth of new hair, and enhance the thickness and well-being of hair already present.
Indications of Treating Hair Loss
- ● Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Baldness): This is the most prevalent type of hair loss caused by balding in men, hairline receding, and hair loss around the crown. In women, hair loss on the whole scalp also occurs. It is genetic and hormonal, among the main indications for medical interventions.
- ● Excessive Hair Shedding (Telogen Effluvium): In excessive hair shedding, hair loss is widespread and abrupt and results in the shedding of the entire hair. This condition can be caused by severe stress, illness, childbirth, surgery, or nutrition. Once the shedding is prolonged or excessive, medications are necessary to regulate the hair growth cycle.
- ● Patchy Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata): It is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its hair follicles, either on the scalp or the body, resulting in unique, smooth, round hairless patches. The purpose of treatment is to inhibit the immune system and induce regrowth.