Hair Loss

Also known as: Balding, male pattern baldness, alopecia

What is it?

It is normal to lose some hair (up to 100 hairs a day). Daily hair loss beyond that can result in noticeable thinning of the hair over time, whether it’s along the front of your hairline or elsewhere on the scalp. Both men and women can be affected by hair loss for a variety of reasons.

How is it acquired?

The most common cause of hair loss is genetics—you inherit the tendency to lose hair from either or both of your parents. But hair loss can also result because of disease, medications, stress, injury, or damage to the hair. About half of all people have this type of hair loss by about 50 years of age.

How to treat it?

There are two FDA approved treatments for hair loss—Propecia and Rogaine. Propecia is a once a day oral pill which blocks the 5-alpha reductase enzyme that creates Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the male hormone associated with thinning hair in men with male pattern baldness. Rogaine is a topical lotion available in a regular and extra strength version which stimulates hair growth in both men and women. Other treatments have been shown to be effective although not specifically FDA approved for hairloss including Avodart and Nizoral.