What is AGA?
Hair loss resulting in thinning of hairs is known as alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of genetically programmed characteristic hair loss in both men and women. It is seen both men & women. It can be inherited from either or both parents.
Why do you get AGA?
A variety of genetic and environmental factors play a role in androgenetic alopecia. This form of hair loss is due to male hormone (androgen/testosterone). Testosterone hormone gets converted to active male hormone called 5 Dihydrotestoserone (5 DHT) in the skin & hair by an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. In men & women who are carrying the genes of AGA, hair stops growing, reduces in size, falls off after maturity due to increase in 5 DHT in their scalp hair roots, in a classic pattern. Age, 5 DHT, genes play a main role in causing AGA.
When do you get it?
Androgenetic alopecia can start as early as a person’s teens and risk increases with age. Around 30% of men develop AGA by the age of 30 and 50% by the age of 50. Androgenetic alopecia affects men more commonly, than women. Males typically become aware of scalp hair loss or a receding hairline, beginning at any time after puberty.
In women, the age of onset is later compared to men, usually occurring in the 50s or 60s. Around 40% of women by age 50 show signs of hair loss. Now a day’s androgenetic alopecia in women may start earlier than this, in the 30s or in some girls just after puberty. In some women, this condition can be associated with an excess of male hormones such as in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Acne, increased facial hair, irregular periods and infertility are all signs of PCOS.
How does it appear? Androgenetic alopecia looks different in males and females. In men, the usual pattern of hair loss is a receding hairline (forehead becoming broad), and loss of hair from the top and the front of the head. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic “M” shape. Hair also thins at the crown (near the top of the head), often progressing to partial or complete baldness leading to “U” shaped baldness.
In women, hair loss or thinning typically occurs at the crown of the scalp, with complete or nearly complete preservation of the frontal hairline. The hair becomes thinner all over the head, and the hairline does not recede. Androgenetic alopecia in women rarely leads to total baldness.
General information:
This condition is not contagious, it is an inherited condition seen in teenage or in early adulthood. Like any other inherited condition this condition might appear early if the person is not having good life style habits. Mental stress, sleeping late or getting up late, skipping breakfast or any meals, imbalanced diet, lack of exercises are the factors in early appearance & rapid progression in AGA.
How to cure AGA?
No, there is no cure for androgenetic alopecia. It is a progressive condition which can be controlled with medications. Usually it is a slow progressive condition but in some like an earlier age of onset may predict a quicker rate of progression.
What is the Treatment? Applying 2% or 5% Minoxidil solution/Foam/Gel to the scalp will help to slow down the progression and partially restore & help in regrowth of hairs in of males and females.
For men, finasteride tablets reduce levels of DHT the scalp, which may slow hair loss and help in the process of regrowth of hair. Once started, by 3 months we can notice stoppage of hair loss, by 6 months thin hairs starts appearing which becomes thick/terminal hairs by 1 year. It is important not to stop treatment without discussing it with your doctor first. Long term (lifelong) treatment is usually necessary to sustain the benefits.
Other treatment options:
Hair transplantation for FPHL is becoming more popular although not everyone is suitable for this procedure.
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy: Here patient blood is withdrawn, centrifuged to separate the Platelet Rich plasma, which is injected to the patient scalp once in a month for 4 months, later once in 3 months for next 4 months. PRP is the latest therapy to improve the hair growth.
Hair transplant (HT), especially follicular unit transplantation (FUT) can be
Considered in male patients with sufficient donor hair or Follicular Unit extraction (FUE) with less donor hair. Even after HT, patient has to continue Finasteride & Minoxidil solution to sustain the transplant hairs & to prevent the progression of the baldness.
Cosmetic camouflages include coloured hair sprays to cover thinning areas on the scalp, hair bulking fiber powder and hair wigs.
General Measures:
Well balanced diet is important with consuming more proteins, vitamins. Improving lifestyle habits is important. Daily exercise, yoga, meditation is a must for a good healthy body which reflects on hair & skin.
Myths:
Wearing helmet or cap will not result in hair loss
Shampoo will not cause any white hairs or hair loss
Dandruff will not cause baldness
Bore well water will not cause hair loss
Shaving the hairs on the head many times will not result in increase in hair growth or thick hairs.
Oil massage on scalp will not result in growth of thick hairs; in fact it can increase dandruff. Oiling is for grooming the hairs not for growing the hairs.
Water used from solar/geyser will not cause hair loss
Scalp hair grows because what you eat, your genes & hormones