Do you often find hair falling off your pillow, comb, or floor? Do you feel like your hair is getting less and your scalp is getting oily? If you have these troubles, you may be suffering from a disease called androgenetic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss that can occur in both men and women, but manifests in different patterns and prevalence of hair loss. In China, the male incidence rate is about 21.3%, and the female incidence rate is about 6.0%. It is caused by the conversion of androgens (mainly testosterone) in the body to dihydrotestosterone on the scalp, which then binds to receptors on hair follicle cells, leading to hair follicle atrophy, thinning, shortening, whitening, and ultimately shedding. This process is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, and some people may experience hair loss earlier or more severely. Although androgenetic alopecia is not life-threatening, it can affect people's appearance and psychology, reduce their quality of life and confidence. Therefore, understanding the causes, characteristics, prevention, and treatment methods of this disease is crucial for protecting our hair and health.
The main causes of androgenic alopecia are genetics and androgens. Genetics refers to whether there is hair loss in your parents or other direct relatives. If there is, then you may also experience hair loss. Androgens refer to hormones in our body that can affect male characteristics. They are mainly secreted by the testes in males and by the adrenal glands and ovaries in females. Androgens themselves do not cause hair loss, but when they encounter an enzyme called 5 α reductase on the scalp, they are converted into a stronger androgen called dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone attacks the hair follicles on our scalp, causing them to shrink, resulting in hair becoming thinner, shorter, whiter, and ultimately falling off. This process is the pathogenesis of androgenic alopecia.
Androgenic alopecia usually begins during adolescence and is more common in males engaged in mental labor. Hair loss often begins around the age of 20-30. It is also known as hereditary hair loss or premature baldness, and belongs to permanent hair loss. Manifested as progressive thinning of hair diameter, decreased hair density, and hair loss. There are different patterns of hair loss between men and women. Men typically exhibit receding hairlines on the forehead, sides of the forehead, and/or temples, or progressive hair loss at the top, ultimately exposing the scalp. Women typically exhibit diffuse thinning and thinning of hair between the top of the head and the hairline, with no change in the position of the hairline on the forehead. According to the severity and morphology of hair loss, it can be classified into different levels and types. The currently commonly used grading methods are Norwood method or BASP method. Norwood method divides male AGA into 7 levels and 12 types, while BASP method grades according to hairline morphology, frontal and top hair density, including 4 basic types and 2 special types.
Due to the fact that androgenetic alopecia is a progressive process that worsens until baldness occurs, the importance of early and long-term treatment should be emphasized. Generally speaking, the earlier the treatment, the better the therapeutic effect. In terms of prevention, we can start from the following aspects: firstly, we should maintain good living habits, avoid excessive mental stress, staying up late, smoking, drinking, etc., and enhance the body's resistance and immunity.
Keep your scalp clean, wash your hair regularly, choose the right shampoo and conditioner for yourself, and avoid using overly stimulating or greasy hair products. Secondly, it is important to maintain a balanced diet by consuming foods rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients such as meat, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid excessive frying, spicy foods, and sweets. Then it is necessary to regularly check one's physical health status, promptly detect and treat diseases that may affect hair growth, such as anemia, thyroid dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc. Finally, it is important to avoid excessive hair styling, such as straightening, perming, dyeing, etc. Avoid using tight rubber bands or clips to restrain hair, and avoid using overheated hair dryers or curling irons that can damage hair.
Although androgenetic alopecia does not affect physical health, it seriously affects the psychological health and quality of life of patients, so timely treatment should be sought. The treatment methods include drug therapy, physical therapy, surgical treatment, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and it is usually recommended to use combination therapy to achieve the best results. Drug therapy mainly inhibits 5 α reductase or stimulates hair follicle growth to prevent or delay the progression of hair loss. Commonly used drugs include finasteride, minoxidil, and hair growth hormone. Physical therapy mainly stimulates scalp blood circulation and hair follicle metabolism through low-energy lasers, microneedle rollers, and other methods to promote hair growth. Surgical treatment mainly involves hair transplantation, which involves transplanting healthy hair follicles from the occipital region to the area of hair loss, allowing them to regrow hair. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment mainly involves taking or applying traditional Chinese medicine orally or externally to regulate the balance of qi and blood in the body, improve the scalp environment, and promote hair growth.
In short, androgenic alopecia is a common hair problem that requires our attention and concern. If you find signs of hair loss, do not use medication or products indiscriminately, and do not give up treatment or self destruct. You should seek the help of a professional dermatologist in a timely manner, choose the appropriate treatment plan according to your own situation, adhere to standardized and continuous treatment, and believe that you will see the effect you want. At the same time, you should also maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, believing that your value depends not only on your appearance, but also on your inner qualities and abilities.