Hair loss: Dr Ranj discusses causes of male pattern baldness
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Hair loss is a very normal condition that affects huge numbers of people in the UK – but that doesn’t make it any less upsetting. However, there are a number of readily available treatments that could help to reduce your symptoms – like hair loss shampoos.
Most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day – most of which we won’t even notice.
It’s a natural part of the ageing process that’ll develop over a number of years.
But if your hair loss is making you uncomfortable, or if it’s caused by something else, you might be tempted to try some treatments.
You might also have come across so-called ‘hair loss shampoos’ – although technically, they’re anti-hair loss shampoos.
Some people might benefit from using these shampoos if they develop hair loss, according to NYU School of Medicine’s professor of dermatology, Dr Jerry Shapiro.
If your hair loss is caused by a scalp condition, it’ll be most effective.
But, male pattern baldness patients won’t gain anything by using hair loss shampoos, he warned.
Male pattern baldness is linked to the production of a hormone, known as DHT, and the shampoo won’t be in contact with hair follicles long enough to make a difference, he said.
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The Lindsey Medical Hair Transplant centre said: “On your search for DHT blockers, you may come across hair loss shampoo [or anti-hair loss shampoo] that can supposedly stop hair loss. We wanted to know, does it actually work?
“So, we asked our medical advisors if there’s a hair loss or hair growth stimulating shampoo out there.
“Dr Jerry Shapiro, leading hair loss dermatologist and Keeps medical advisor, says it depends on what you’re trying to type of hair loss prevention you’re trying to treat.
“Hair loss shampoo is only effective ‘if you have a scalp condition’, such as seborrheic dermatitis [more commonly known as dandruff] or psoriasis, that could be causing hair loss.”
Dandruff and psoriasis might be instigating hair loss by increased inflammation on the scalp, he added.
Hair loss shampoos may help to reduce the inflammation, subsequently protecting against hair loss.
Some of these shampoos may require a prescription, however.
They could contain a topical steroid, which acts as a scalp treatment.
There are other treatments for hair loss – including transplants – but they aren’t available on the NHS, and you’ll need to pay for them.
Losing your hair isn’t necessarily something to be worried about.
But, on rare occasions, it could be a tell-tale sign of another medical condition.
You should speak to a doctor if you suddenly start losing your hair, or if you develop bald patches.
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