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Hair Shedding (hair + shedding)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Causes of hair loss and the developments in hair rejuvenation

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2002
D. H. Rushton
Synopsis Hair is considered to be a major component of an individual's general appearance. The psychological impact of hair loss results in a measurably detrimental change in self-esteem and is associated with images of reduced worth. It is not surprising that both men and women find hair loss a stressful experience. Genetic hair loss is the major problem affecting men and by the age of 50, up to 50% will be affected. Initial attempts to regenerate the lost hair have centred on applying a topical solution of between 2% to 5% minoxidil; however, the results proved disappointing. Recently, finasteride, a type II 5, reductase inhibitor has been found to regrow a noticeable amount of hair in about 40% of balding men. Further developments in treatments have lead to the use of a dual type I and type II inhibitor where 90% of those treated regrow a noticeable amount of hair. In women the major cause of hair loss before the age of 50 is nutritional, with 30% affected. Increased and persistent hair shedding (chronic telogen effluvium) and reduced hair volume are the principle changes occurring. The main cause appears to be depleted iron stores, compromised by a suboptimal intake of the essential amino acid l -lysine. Correction of these imbalances stops the excessive hair loss and returns the hair back to its former glory. However, it can take many months to redress the situation. Résumé Les cheveux sont considérés comme étant une composante majeure de l'aspect général d'un individu. L'impact psychologique de la perte des cheveux conduit à une diminution mesurable de l'estime de soi et s'associe à des images de contexte négatif. Il n'est pas surprenant que les hommes comme les femmes ressentent la perte de cheveux comme une expérience stressante. La perte génétique des cheveux est le problème principal qui touche les hommes et autour de l'âge de 50 ans, jusqu'à 50% seront concernés. Les premières tentatives de régénération des cheveux perdus se sont focalisées sur l'application topique d'une solution comprenant entre 2% et 5% de minoxidil; cependant, les résultats se sont avérés décevants. Récemment, le finastéride, un inhibiteur de la 5,-réductase de type II s'est avéré permettre la repousse d'une quantité significative de cheveux chez environ 40% des hommes dégarnis. Les développements ultérieurs des traitements ont conduit à l'utilisation d'un inhibiteur associant type I et type II pour lequel 90% des personnes traitées constatent une repousse significative des cheveux. Chez les femmes la cause principale de la perte des cheveux avant l'âge de 50 ans est d'origine nutritionnelle, avec 30% de la population affectée. Une perte de cheveux persistante et croissante (telogen effluvium chronique) et un volume des cheveux réduit sont les principaux effets qui se produisent. La cause principale semble être des réserves de fer épuisées, associées à une prise insuffisante de l'acide aminé essentiel L-lysine. La correction de ces déséquilibres stoppe la perte excessive de cheveux et rend aux cheveux leur éclat d'antan. Cependant, plusieurs mois peuvent être nécessaires pour redresser la situation. [source]

Chronic telogen effluvium or early androgenetic alopecia?

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2004
Rodney Sinclair MBBS
A 16-year-old girl presented with a 12-month history of generalized hair shedding from the scalp. The onset of shedding coincided with the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and iron deficiency. At the time of initial presentation, the Hashimoto's thyroiditis had been treated with Neo-Mercazole and she was euthyroid. Her iron stores were low, with a ferritin level of 13 µg/L. As she was vegetarian, oral iron replacement therapy was commenced without further investigation. On follow-up 6 months later, her iron stores were normal (ferritin, 36 µg/L), but the hair shedding had continued. On examination, there was a positive hair pull test from both the vertex of the scalp and the occipital scalp. There was mild bitemporal recession, but no widening of the central part, and she appeared to have a full, thick head of hair (Fig. 1). Additional investigations at that time revealed normal thyroid function and negative antinuclear antibody (ANA) and syphilis serology. She was on no medication other than Neo-Mercazole. Serum testosterone, dihydroepiandosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were normal. Two 4-mm punch biopsies were taken from the vertex of the scalp; one was sectioned horizontally and the other vertically. The vertical section was unremarkable. On the horizontal section, there were 32 hair follicles in total, 30 of which were terminal hairs and two of which were vellus hairs. One hair was in telogen. The ratio of terminal to vellus hairs was 15 : 1. Figure 1. Initial presentation A diagnosis of chronic telogen effluvium was made. The condition was explained to the patient and she was reassured that chronic telogen effluvium is not a progressive condition and does not lead to baldness. No treatment was recommended. At follow-up 12 months later, the hair loss had obviously progressed and the patient was assessed as having Ludwig Stage 1 androgenetic alopecia with widening of the central part (Fig. 2). Repeat blood tests showed normal iron studies, thyroid function, and hormone parameters. Three 4-mm punch biopsies were taken from the vertex of the scalp and all were sectioned horizontally. The terminal to vellus hair ratios were 1 : 1, 2.6 : 1, and 1.9 : 1. A diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia was made and she was commenced on oral spironolactone, 200 mg/day. Figure 2. Presentation after 12 months [source]

Chronic telogen effluvium is due to a reduction in the variance of anagen duration

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Stephen Gilmore
ABSTRACT Background/Objectives:, Chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse cyclical hair loss in women are well-described clinical entities characterized by chronic and fluctuating increases in hair shedding without loss of hair volume. We sought to investigate the follicular dynamics of chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse cyclical hair loss using a previously validated computer simulation known as the follicular automaton. Methods:, Using our model, we were able to simulate reductions in both the mean and variance of anagen duration and thus investigate their consequences with respect to both hair volume and hair shedding. Results:, We showed that reducing the mean anagen duration results in a loss of hair volume without prominent fluctuations in hair fall: findings that reproduced the key features in androgenetic alopecia. In contrast, a reduction in the variance of anagen duration generated follicular dynamics that accurately reproduced the known key features of chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse cyclical hair loss: acute exacerbations, periodicity and only minimal reductions in long-term hair volume. Conclusions:, We provide evidence that suggests chronic telogen effluvium may be secondary to a reduction in the variance of anagen and suggest this pathological state represents a new functional type of recurrent hair shedding. [source]