Hereditary Hair Loss - Understanding What It Is

Hereditary Hair Loss is known as Androgenic Alopecia and runs in families.  Unfortunately, if one of your family members have had hair loss, then your chances of experiencing the same are high.

People with androgenic alopecia display certain characteristics. Have you noticed these? Factors like the speed of your hair loss, at what your age when you start experiencing hair loss. Plus, the genetic factors also affect the extent or pattern of your hair loss.

Androgenic Alopecia in Men and Women

Women who experience female pattern baldness will find it starts along the parting line and the crown. It is rare for women to have front hairline thinning or go bald. But, men who experience male pattern baldness can go bald. It starts as a receding frontal hairline, which is noticeable by its characteristic ‘m’ shape. This then gradually thins into a ‘U’ shape around the temples. The end  result being total baldness.

Genetic hair loss tends to be more dominant in men. In that for every ten men, six women will experience hair loss.

Baldness lowers your self-esteem and changes how you feel about yourself. You might start to feel anxious if you see some of your family members becoming bald. Maybe,wondering if it will catch up with you, unfortunately, there is no cure for Androgenic Alopecia. But don’t despair, there are treatments for slowing or halting your hair loss.

Medications for Genetic Hair Loss

It is a good idea to start treatment once you begin experiencing hair loss. Medication can work effectively in preventing thinning and further hair loss. Medication like Minoxidil (Rogaine) , an over-the-counter medication, that comes as a liquid or foam that you appy twice daily. Then there is Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) a pill you can take daily.

There are also alternative treatments like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma). Having a  PRP procedure involves an injection of PRP. The source of the platelets is your blood. This is a procedure performed by a doctor and repeated monthly for 6 -12 months. Another treatment is Ozone therapy that helps to rejuvenate and fortify hair follicles,  strengthening and nourishing the hair and scalp.

Hair Transplantation For Hereditary Hair Loss

Apart from hair loss treatment and medication, you can choose to undergo hair transplantation. With this a surgeon can take you through a surgical procedure where he extracts tiny scalp patches from the back of your head. These are the grafts to be placed in your bald area, giving you a natural look and boosting your confidence.