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Hair loss (alopecia) as a consequence of aging occurs in 20% of women and 70% of men. The degree of loss ranges from significant thinning of scalp hair to varying patterns of baldness. Female hair loss may become evident during hormonal imbalance (menopause, oral birth control). Decreased testosterone may lead to male pattern hair loss. An individual with androgenetic alopecia may have normal levels of testosterone but increased activity of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, accounting for hereditary hair loss. Other causes of hair loss include trauma, infection, stress, chemotherapy, radiation, endocrine disorders (thyroid), malnutrition, medication side effects, and autoimmune disease (alopecia areata). Dandruff (Seborrheic dermatitis) is the most common cause of scaling of the scalp.
Treatment for hair loss includes camouflage products (hairpieces, bonding, hair weave), medications (Minoxidil – Rogaine® and 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Propecia®, Proscar®, Avodart®), hormonal manipulation, hair transplantation, removal of bald areas surgically (scalp reduction), moving scalp tissue surgically (scalp flaps), stretching and then moving hair bearing scalp (scalp expansion).
Hair removal can be attempted with several methods: waxing, plucking, depilatories, electrolysis, and lasers. Hair removal lasers target chromophores (usually melanin) within the hair follicle, thereby destroying hair during its growth phase. This process of selective thermolysis may not destroy all the targeted follicles at any one session, requiring repeat treatment at monthly intervals. This is not a permanent method of hair removal but does target existing hairs and retard future hair growth. The most common lasers used in hair removal are Nd-Yag (Altus Cool Glide® and Candela GentleYAG®), Ruby (Epitouch® and Epilaser®), Alexandrite (Candela Gentlelase Plus®), and Diode (Coherent Light Sheer®).
All of the descriptions for the various procedures are condensed from the text of the upcoming textbook written by Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Malcolm Marks and are copyrighted, "The Artistry of Plastic Surgery: Exploring the Experience” . |
