Hair Loss is Not Just a Cosmetic Problem: The Latest Research in Hair Loss

Today, there is increasing pressure on the way we look. From selfies to dating apps to LinkedIn profile pics and the way that ordinary, everyday people look on camera has never been more important.  It’s no surprise that along with this increased pressure, mental health issues are on the rise. Nobody is perfect, and the expectation of being so is proving to be crippling for an increasing number of the population.  This is particularly poignant for men experiencing hair loss in their late twenties and thirties, a time which is now commonly associated with settling down and finding a long-term partner.

The combined effect of these two factors has seen a rise in the popularity of hair transplants. In contrast, there was a time when this may have been viewed as a superficial or cosmetic enhancement; it is now becoming accepted as an increasingly important part of a patient’s overall wellbeing.

Hair Loss Facts

Male pattern baldness affects around half of the men by the age of 50.  Hair Loss can also affect women. It is estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss during their lifetime.

Male-pattern baldness is passed through the genes. It usually begins in later life but can start during a man’s twenties. Alopecia can strike at any time during adult life.

Is there a chemical solution to hair loss?

Despite their being unimaginable rewards for such a discovery, a chemical solution to hair loss has so far evaded the medical community. The best on offer at this moment are minoxidil and finasteride. However, they are only capable of slowing the rate of hair loss rather than preventing it. There are also some drastic side effects, including depression and erectile dysfunction.

How Advanced is Hair Loss Research?

Up until recently, the level of research around hair loss was minimal, but this is changing. There is now a greater desire than ever to understand the molecular mechanics of hair growth and loss.

What is understood for the time being is that our hair follicles essentially follow a similar rhythmic cycle to our organs and grow at their own pace. As we get older, this process begins to be affected by the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which causes the follicles to shrink.

It’s at this point, the medical community’s knowledge on the issue stops.

But as it becomes more prevalent in society, it’s thought that funding to academic bodies that undertake hair loss research may increase. This may not lead to a ‘miracle cure’, but in terms of coping with the physical and psychological impact of hair loss there may be light at the end of the tunnel, and there are substantial economic gains to be made from any significant developments in the field.

Is a Hair Transplant a Long-Term Solution to Hair Loss?

A question we are frequently asked here at Crown Clinic is whether the procedures we provide are a long terms solution to hair loss. In short, yes, the results are permanent. An FUE transplant can provide a permanent solution to hair loss as the hair follicles transferred to the areas of loss become genetically programmed to grow for life. However, during a lifetime, more than one procedure may be necessary to keep a full and luscious head of hair.

If you’d like to understand more about hair loss book a consultation with us today.