Baldness: A Guide for Women and Men
Hair loss and baldness are common conditions that affect millions of men and women worldwide. If you are experiencing thinning hair or baldness, it’s important to know that you are definitely not alone. Many people face these challenges, and gaining a deeper understanding of the causes and possible solutions can greatly help in coping with baldness.
What causes baldness?
To understand baldness, it’s important to first know the normal hair growth cycle. Hair grows in stages, sheds naturally (on average 50–100 strands per day), and then renews itself. Baldness occurs when this balance is disrupted—either the rate of hair shedding increases significantly, or the growth of new hair slows down.
Genetics and Heredity
The most common cause of baldness, in both men and women, is genetic inheritance. Androgenic alopecia, also known as hereditary baldness, is a condition in which hair follicles are sensitive to androgen hormones, causing them to shrink and eventually leading to permanent hair loss. The genetic expression varies from person to person, appearing in different hair loss patterns and with varying degrees of severity.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones play a key role in hair health. In men, high sensitivity to testosterone derivatives can lead to baldness. In women, major hormonal changes—such as those occurring during pregnancy, after childbirth, while breastfeeding, or during menopause—as well as medical conditions like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.
Emotional Stress (Stress)
Chronic stress, anxiety, or physical and emotional trauma can trigger a condition known as telogen effluvium, in which a large number of hairs enter the resting phase simultaneously and fall out a few months later. This type of hair loss is usually temporary, but it can be very distressing.
Certain Medications
Certain medications used to treat various conditions—such as some drugs for cancer, depression, high blood pressure, and others—may cause hair loss as a side effect.
Grooming Habits and Lifestyle
Aggressive hair care practices, such as overly tight hairstyles (tight ponytails, braids) or harsh chemical treatments (straightening, coloring), can damage the hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and smoking can also negatively affect hair health.
Male Baldness
In men, baldness usually appears in a clear and well-defined pattern. The most common type is male androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), which is characterized by a receding hairline at the temples (‘widow’s peaks’) and progressive thinning at the crown. Over time, these areas may merge, resulting in complete baldness in that region.
To classify the stages of baldness, the Norwood Scale is often used, providing a way to assess the extent of hair loss. In some men, the condition can begin as early as their early 20s and may progress gradually or more rapidly.
Beyond the physical aspect, baldness can significantly affect men’s self-image and confidence. It’s important to remember that this is a natural and common condition, and today there are many solutions available to help manage it.
Female Baldness
Baldness in women often differs from the male pattern. The most common type is female pattern hair loss (FPHL), usually characterized by diffuse thinning across the scalp and a widening of the parting line at the center. In many cases, the frontal hairline remains relatively intact. Similar to men, women also have a classification system for stages of hair loss, known as the Ludwig Scale.
Unique Factors in Women
Beyond genetics, women experience significant hormonal changes that can affect their hair, such as:
Pregnancy and Childbirth
During pregnancy, certain hormone levels rise, which promotes hair growth. After childbirth, when these hormone levels drop sharply, many women experience increased shedding, known as postpartum hair loss. This condition is usually temporary.
Breastfeeding
The breastfeeding period can also have an effect on hair loss.
Menopause
The drop in estrogen levels and the relative increase in androgens during menopause can lead to hair thinning.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – This hormonal condition can lead to increased androgen levels and, among other effects, may cause hair loss.
Possible Solutions for Coping with Baldness
Important to know: Every treatment option requires a professional diagnosis and personalized guidance by a doctor or qualified specialist.
Aesthetic and Medical Treatments
Treatments to Strengthen Hair Follicles
There are treatments such as mesotherapy and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) aimed at strengthening existing hair follicles. In mesotherapy, active substances (such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids) are injected directly into the scalp. In PRP treatment, platelet-rich plasma is extracted from the patient’s own blood and injected into the scalp. The idea is that the components found in the plasma may stimulate hair growth and strengthen the follicles.
Hair Transplants
In cases of advanced baldness, hair transplantation can provide a significant aesthetic solution. The procedure involves taking hair follicles from a donor area on the scalp (usually the back of the head, where hair is more resistant to genetic hair loss) and transplanting them to the bald area. This is an advanced medical procedure that requires thorough professional evaluation to ensure suitability
Complementary and Supportive Solutions
Nutritional Supplements
A balanced diet is essential for healthy hair. In cases of diagnosed nutritional deficiencies, supplements such as biotin, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and vitamin D may help. However, supplements should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional, after tests confirm the deficiency. Excessive intake of certain supplements can be harmful.
Proper Hair and Scalp Care
Adopting a gentle hair care routine can promote hair health. It is recommended to use mild products, avoid excessive heat from tools such as hair dryers and straighteners, and steer clear of tight hairstyles that can damage hair roots.
Managing Stress
Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep can be very helpful, especially in cases of stress-related hair loss.
Important to know:
Natural treatments, while they can support hair health, are usually of limited effectiveness when baldness is caused by more complex medical conditions or genetics.
When to Seek Professional Advice?
If you notice significant changes in your hair loss pattern, such as:
Sudden and excessive hair loss
The appearance of patchy bald spots
Itching, redness, excessive dandruff, or scalp pain
Rapid hair thinning
Early and accurate diagnosis by a specialist doctor or qualified professional is critical for determining the cause of hair loss and tailoring the most effective treatment for you. Only a professional can distinguish between different types of baldness and offer personalized solutions.
Personalized Medication Solutions
SKCURE offers an innovative approach to medication treatment, focusing on creating pharmacist-formulated solutions personalized for each patient. Rather than relying on a few off-the-shelf products, we provide a combination of multiple active ingredients in precise doses within a single formulation, tailored to the specific medical needs of each patient. This method allows for more precise and convenient treatment. All procedures are conducted under the senior medical supervision of Dr. Yair Barak and a team of expert Israeli physicians.
If you are experiencing hair loss and want to better understand your condition and the options available to you, we invite you to start the diagnostic process using advanced AI technology, and then complete a short questionnaire on the SKCURE website.
