ALOPECIA: HAIR LOSS IS INEVITABLE?

The male-pattern baldness affects nearly 70% of men. Somewhat earlier, more or less important, this hair loss is not always well lived. When this happens, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist to discuss solutions.

1) Hair loss is due to a decline in hormone secretion.

False.
Stress, skin disease, drugs, etc.. Are all factors that may cause hair loss, but the most common cause is hormonal: androgenic alopecia. Male sex hormones (testosterone) accelerate the hair cycle and eventually deplete the hair bulb.

2) Men who lose their hair are at greater risk of hypertension.
True.
This is a finding that the link between cause and effect has not been elucidated: hypertensives are more prone to hair loss and vice versa. We can therefore recommend to people who tend to lose their hair in their blood (hypertension promotes cardiovascular disease). (Source: Ahouansou S. et al. Eur. J. Dermatol., 17: 220-2, 2007.)

3) The alopecia is hereditary. 
True.
Androgenic alopecia, the most common form, has a hereditary component. In other words, a child whose father is bald has a strong chance of becoming also the same age, but this is not an absolute certainty.

4) Women can also suffer from androgenic alopecia.
True.
Menopause often causes an excess production of testosterone, which is accompanied by a thinning hair. We can prescribe a treatment neutralizing the action of these androgens.

5) Smokers lose more hair.
True. 
Smoking 20 cigarettes or more per day increases the risk of alopecia 134%.However, the mechanism remains unclear. (Source: Dr. Lin-Hui Su, JAMA, November 19, 2007.)

6) The chemotherapy accompanied by hair loss. 
True.
Chemotherapy, wanting to attack cancer cells, destroys all cells that have the ability to renew quickly and therefore the cells at the root of hair and fur. 

7) The alopecia may begin as early as 18-20 years.
True. 
The first signs appeared around the age of 18-20 years with a larger trend around the thirties. This is an early form, but is rare. Alopecia most commonly begins after age 35.

8) Minoxidil ® is the only medication used against hair loss.
False.
Minoxidil ® halts hair loss by delaying the hair cycle. It can therefore be used in early baldness. However, there is another very powerful drug, finasteride, which in turn, helps stop hair loss or promote hair growth.