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Hair Loss in Men and Women
Alopecia, commonly referred to as hair loss, can develop in people of all ages, but is found more prominently in men. Hair loss can be caused by a number of reasons, including diet, cancer treatment, major surgery, stress, fungal infections, damaging hair products, severe illness, and medications. Undoubtedly, the most common causes of hair loss are genetics and hormonal imbalance. The human body produces a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes hair follicles to shrink over time, eventually leading to the follicle's inability to produce hair. Hair loss is dependent on a person's genetic history, and genes in the hair follicles determine its susceptibility to the damaging effects of DHT. This susceptibility gives way to pattern baldness that plagues millions of men and women. Male pattern baldness is characterized by the "M"-shaped receding hairline and thinning of the crown, and can progress to the horseshoe-shaped ring of hair which wraps around the head from ear to ear. Hair loss in women is referred to as female pattern baldness. Unlike men, women suffer from a general thinning of hair across the entire scalp. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that can reverse the embarrassment of thinning hair. Medications such as Rogaine and Propecia are readily available, and have been clinically proven to stimulate follicles and promote new hair growth. Hair restoration is another popular hair loss treatment which involves minor surgery, and can produce outstanding, permanent results.
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