men’s hair loss
Have you seen the Griffin Center featured in the December Men’s Book?
The Griffin Center for Hair Restoration and Research was recently featured in Men’s Book Atlanta magazine’s December issue to answer your frequently asked questions about men’s hair loss misconceptions and causes, as well as hair restoration surgery options. Make sure to get your copy today and check it out!
To keep up with the latest in hair loss and restoration news and updates, follow the Griffin Center on Facebook and Twitter!
Do Women Lose More Hair During the Autumn Months?
A study published in the journal Dermatology shows that women lose more hair during autumn than they do in other seasons. Swedish researchers gathered a sample of 823 women and tracked their hair growth and shedding cycles.
Each person goes through the hair growth and shedding cycle. In the anagen phase also known as the growth phase of the hair follicle, new hair cells are produced. The catagen phase is where the hair is no longer growing but the follicle is shrinking. The final stage, the telogen phase, occurs when the hair is in a resting state, no longer growing, but on the verge of shedding. The hair stays in this resting state for about three months when it begins to shed, and the anagen phase begins gradually. Therefore, the average patient loses about 100 hairs per day. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair cycle of growth begins again, and if you could watch the follicular opening you would see a new hair emerge in a couple of weeks.
Though each individual’s hair growth and shedding cycle schedules will vary slightly, the researchers found that the women studied had the highest percentage of hair in the telogen stage at the end of summer. This means that after a period of time, these women will have some hair loss since the resting phase is always followed by a shedding. During this time, the patient may feel that his or her hair is thinning with the natural loss of hair that is occurring. The same sort of hair-loss phasing happens, though with a lower percentage of hair, in the spring as well. Researchers speculate that this extra amount of lost hair may be brought about by evolution, since the body seems to hold on to hair during the warmer months to protect the scalp from the summer sun.
For those people who experience hair loss with no growth to follow it, The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research offers both non-surgical and surgical treatment and prevention options for women’s hair loss. Most commonly this hair loss is the result of female patterned hair loss, and the minuturization of hairs which eventually do not return. This process can be slowed and even in some cases reversed with treatment.
Contact us for more information on hair loss or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Edmond Griffin, hair restoration specialist. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook for daily news and updates.
Why Do More Men Have Hair Transplant Surgery Than Women? What Impedes Women With Hair Loss from Having a Hair Transplant, if Anything?
If you keep up with my blog, you know women’s hair loss is a very complex topic, and women’s hair transplant surgery is no less complex. However, hair transplantation for women is more than possible. In fact, I have performed hundreds of hair restoration surgeries on women. When I began transplant surgery in the 70s only 2% of my patients were women; this number has increased fivefold.
To answer your first question—While there are many causes for hair loss in men besides genetics, a majority of men facing hair loss have male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Just as with women’s hair loss, men can also lose hair because of hormones, stress, and certain medications, among other causes. Men with pattern baldness are usually optimal candidates for hair restoration surgery because they have an adequate donor region for harvesting follicular grafts. Women’s expectations are generally much higher than men’s. Men approach hair transplant surgery wanting more hair, while women usually want a return to full thickness. Thinning hair is not acceptable for them, and oftentimes more than one session may be necessary.
Another reason you hear about more men undergoing hair restoration surgery is that there is a stronger social stigma tied to women discussing hair loss conditions. Remember the attention placed on Lady Gaga when she discussed using Rogaine® in interviews? While the pop superstar took advantage of topic treatments, it is becoming more acceptable for women to seek medical hair loss treatments beyond Rogaine®.
Also, women’s hair restoration surgery is more complex than men’s, and doctors are even sometimes reluctant to perform surgery on women because of the frequency of temporary hair loss amongst female patients. When female patients consider hair transplant surgery, the surgeon must diagnose the reason for loss making sure that it is not just a temporary loss where the hair will regrow with other medical treatments. For example, if hair loss is caused by scarring related to trauma or surgery, the transplanted hair may not grow in its new home.
I have been researching hair loss and hair restoration for 35 years. Therefore, after a thorough consultation which may include a scalp biopsy to confirm diagnosis, I am usually able to pinpoint the cause of a patient’s hair loss and suggest a suitable treatment plan, which may include surgery, hair loss prevention medication, or other therapies to regrow hair.
Now, for the second question—There are multiple variables that could prevent both men and women from having hair transplant surgery. In addition to an inadequate donor region or a larger than normal recipient area, hair loss caused by high fevers, trauma, or hormone fluctuation, such as women who lose hair during pregnancy, is often temporary. Likewise, men and women who lose their hair because of certain medications, especially after chemotherapy, can experience temporary hair loss. Usually once medications are discontinued the hair loss stops and hair recovers. Patients with temporary hair loss are not candidates for hair transplant surgery. However, these patients often need to seek the care of a hair restoration specialist to determine the cause of hair loss.
I have performed hundreds of hair restorations on women, and they have been equally as successful and grow as well as my male hair transplant procedures, as you can see in my women’s hair restoration before and after gallery. The “pattern” of female pattern hair loss is different from male pattern hair loss. Women, luckily, do not go totally bald like men. Men bald from the front backwards and lose hair in the temporal regions (around and above the ears) whereas only 12% of women lose hair near the ears. Women are most likely to begin balding near the front of the head and on the crown, leaving a rim of good hair around the head. Because men and women bald differently, I use specialized techniques to separate the donor and treatment regions during female hair transplant surgery to accommodate the distinct challenges presented by this procedure.
If you are a women experiencing hair loss and considering hair restoration, you need to first determine the cause of your hair loss. Schedule a consultation to learn more and to find out if you might be a candidate for surgery. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook.
Have You Seen The Griffin Center in the September/October Issue of The Men’s Book?
The September/October issue of The Men’s Book Atlanta featured an ad for the Griffin Center! Contact us for more information on hair loss therapies and treatments or to schedule your consultation.
Answers to Common Questions about Hair Loss Causes
Q.) What causes hair loss?
A.)Although genetic predisposition is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women, there are numerous other factors to consider such as medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, medications, excessive weight loss, chemotherapy, radiation, and traumatic injuries (including burns to the scalp) that can also cause hair loss.
Q.) How is the cause of my hair loss determined?
A.) As highlighted in our previous women’s hair loss series, a dermatologist can help you identify the cause of your hair loss. The single most important thing when determining hair loss is the doctor’s experience. First, he or she will start by asking a round of questions to better understand your condition. Then he/she can order or perform tests which may include hair pull test, hair shed/pull collection, scalp biopsy, and blood tests.
Q.) Isn’t male patterned baldness the same thing as female patterned baldness?
A.) Both male and female patterned baldness(androgenetic alopecia) are caused by a predisposition to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the hair follicles due to an inherited gene. However, the pattern in female pattern baldness is different than that of male pattern baldness, meaning though the causes of these types of hair loss are similar, the rate and areas in which patients of opposite genders notice hair loss are still very different. › Continue reading
Women’s Hair Loss Part 3: What Type of Hair Loss Do I Have?
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Women’s hair loss is a complex condition with numerous causes. The intricate nature of women’s hair loss further emphasizes the need for a hair loss specialist with specialized knowledge. Dr. Edmond Griffin can help you determine what type of hair loss you are experiencing and suggest a proper treatment plan based on your symptoms. In previous blog posts, we’ve explained who to turn to when hair begins to thin and tests that determine your hair loss cause. There may be a combination of variables contributing to your specific hair loss condition; therefore, it may be helpful to have a basic understanding of most common types/causes of hair loss:
• Androgenetic Alopecia: Androgenetic alopecia, also called female patterned baldness, is by far the most common cause of hair loss seen at the Griffin Center. This hereditary alopecia is caused by a predisposition to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the hair follicles due to an inherited gene. A positive family history of baldness in either males or females is common. Occurring over a period of several years, this type of hair loss is gradual.
• Telogen Effluvium: In this condition, an increased number of hairs enter the resting phase (telogen phase) of the hair growth cycle so that hair does not grow at a normal rate. This hair loss is most apparent as hair just falls out by the roots in handfuls. Dieting, severe infection, high fever, surgery, stress, and especially childbirth shifts the growing hair into a resting phase resulting in sudden onset of hair loss.
• Anagen Effluvium: This hair loss condition is most commonly associated with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation, and causes hair to fall out during the anagen, or growing, phase of the hair growth cycle. While most patients re-grow their hair after chemo and radiation are completed, some patients do not completely re-grow due to certain cancer chemo agents.
• Traction Alopecia: Traction alopecia, most often seen in black patients, is caused by excessive, ongoing tension placed on the scalp. Tight hairstyles such as braids, weaves, and ponytails can eventually pull hair out and permanently scar the scalp. Some patients have sensitive follicles that are easily traumatized, resulting in this loss of hair.
• Alopecia Areata: This hair loss condition, most common in children and young adults, is a disease in which the body forms antibodies against its own hair follicles due to stress, genetics, or immunity. Often developed suddenly, alopecia areata results in smooth, circular patches on the scalp, eyebrows, or beard. Aggressive treatment with injections and topical medications frequently results in the hair returning within a short time. A positive family history of this condition is common.
• Scarring Alopecia: This condition is a chronic inflammation of the scalp which gradually damages the hair follicles. This permanent condition may appear as localized or wide-spread patchy hair loss, and should be treated as soon as possible to prevent widespread baldness.
• Lichen Planopilaris (LPP): Scarring hair loss condition in which follicle inflammation causes gradual permanent alopecia.
• Tinea Capitis: Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that causes patchiness and breakage due to inflammation, usually seen in young children. If treated early, the hair re-grows but can result in permanent loss if the inflammation is long lasting or severe enough.
Listed above are some of the more common hair loss conditions. It’s important to understand that each hair loss case is specific to each man, woman, or child it affects. Dr. Griffin and his team of trained hair restoration technicians are more than happy to help you find a customized solution for hair loss. For more information on The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research visit our website, and continue to read the blog for more news on hair loss conditions and prevention.
Women’s Hair Loss Part 2: How Can I Determine the Cause of My Hair Loss?
Men, women, and children can experience hair loss for a number of different reasons as we discussed in Part 1 of the Women’s Hair Loss blog series. Women experiencing hair loss can go through discouraging trips to doctors and still not understand the cause of their hair loss. As suggested in Part 1, a dermatologist can be a good starting point. Women experiencing hair loss may need tests to get to the correct diagnosis, but don’t grow weary, as the right doctor will take steps to get to the source of your thinning hair. As each hair loss case is different, there is an approach to this puzzle.
At your consultation, your doctor will ask questions about your hair loss. It’s important to give the doctor the most detailed and accurate answers possible. You will need to discuss how long your hair loss has been occurring, and any pimples, scaling, pain, family history, hormonal problems, and associated events like deaths/operations, etc. Next, your doctor should carefully examine your hair and scalp. This allows him or her to correlate his or her years of experience with your physical appearance. This step is imperative in coming to a conclusion about your hair loss because so much subtle information is gained by just a simple examination.
After the consultation, your doctor will typically perform tests, both blood and others, as part of the exam. The tests will be determined by information gathered during consultation. These tests may include: hair pull test, hair shed/pull collection, scalp biopsy, and blood tests. Each test serves a different purpose:
• Hair Pull Test: A cluster of about 50 hairs will be gently pulled. For the average person, about four hairs will usually detach per pull, but people with a hair loss condition will lose more. A greater loss will be seen in patients who have not shampooed recently. The detached hairs can then be examined for irregularities of the shaft and the roots.
• Hair Shed/Comb Out Collection: At home, the patient performs this test by collecting hairs that will be shed in the shower, sink or comb/brush each day for 3-5 days. Each day, the collection will involve you combing your hair with a clean brush for about one minute over the sink and collecting all detached hairs for that day and placing them in a plastic bag. Additional hairs that you collect from your shower, sink, or comb throughout the rest of the day should be added should be added to your bag. Repeat the same sequence on day 2, 3, 4, and 5, and bring all the bags back to your doctor for an evaluation. This will allow him to follow and determine the severity of your shedding.
• Scalp Biopsy: This test is sometimes, but not always, indicated. However, it is especially important when there are more than one diagnoses considered or when the diagnosis is questionable. A scalp biopsy is particularly important for scarring alopecias. After a local anesthetic is administered, the doctor removes a small piece of skin from the scalp (about 1/5 of an inch in size–the size of a pencil eraser) for further examination.
• Blood Tests: Useful information from blood tests is limited, but it may help rule out other conditions that could contribute to hair loss, such as hormonal or thyroid conditions. Your doctor will decide which blood tests may be appropriate for you based on the information gathered during consultation. Once all data is reviewed a diagnosis can be obtained with a high degree of certainty.
Hair loss is a frustrating condition, especially as a woman. While this battery of tests may seem excessive, making the correct diagnosis is paramount to outline the proper treatment course for your particular problem.
Dr. Edmond Griffin, founder of The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research, has dedicated his life to researching hair loss and hair restoration techniques. For more information on women’s hair loss or hair loss in general, visit his website and continue reading his blog. If you’re experiencing hair loss, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation today.
Causes of Alopecia Areata Related Hair-loss: Is It Genetic?
Alopecia is the medical term that is used most often to convey any type of hair-loss. There are numerous types and causes of each respective type of alopecia. Alopecia areata most commonly refers to hair-loss in men, women, and children whose symptoms are perfectly round, smooth, bald patches on the scalp or body. These symptoms sometimes, but very rarely, present themselves along with other auto-immune disorders such as: thyroiditis, diabetes, and vitiligo.
While not previously attributed directly to genetics, a July study released by Columbia University and published in The New York Times links 8 genes to the hair-loss condition alopecia areata. According to the study’s report, one of the genes, ULBP3, was found in high concentrations within the hair follicles of the study’s alopecia areata patient participants and is thought to be the “messenger” gene that signaled the body to assail its hair and signal its fall-out.
While scientist can’t yet attribute all of alopecia areata’s symptoms to actions of these genes, they are hopeful that the study has revealed a promising discovery about the condition that may facilitate development of future medical treatment options for hair-loss: the alopecia areata related genes behave much like the genetic messengers involved in other auto-immune conditions such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Therefore, dermatologists and hair-restoration specialists like Dr. Edmond Griffin may soon be able to better treat the historically unpredictable condition and its symptoms more effectively. If you’re interested in learning more about hair-loss or the treatment of hair loss visit The Griffin Center for Hair-Loss Restoration and Research’s website, subscribe to their blog, or become a fan on Facebook.
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