Hair isn’t just about style; it’s deeply intertwined with our self-esteem and our identity. So, when you experience hair loss it can be both puzzling and distressing – especially when the root cause isn’t immediately clear.

One potential cause of hair loss for many women that may not be immediately obvious, is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Here, we’ll explore the relationship between PCOS and hair loss and the different ways you can manage it.

What is PCOS and What Is Its Link to Hair Loss?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal condition that affects millions of women worldwide. It’s basically an imbalance in reproductive hormones, which can lead to various symptoms including irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and hair loss or thinning.

The hair loss side effect is often caused by an increased level of androgen hormones. These hormones can shrink hair follicles, leading to the hair growing back thinner, weaker, or sometimes not at all.

How to Manage Hair Loss with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Hair loss caused by PCOS can be distressing, but there are treatment options available. Here’s a closer look at some of the best ways to manage hair thinning or loss linked to the condition:

Anti-androgens

Anti-androgens are a class of medications, designed to reduce the production or effect of androgen hormones in the body. Since an increase in androgens is often behind hair loss in PCOS patients, these medications can be particularly beneficial.

They work by blocking the receptors that androgens attach to, lessening their impact and potentially slowing the rate of hair loss.

Topical Treatments

There are various topical treatments available, with minoxidil being one of the most effective. They are solutions or foams that you apply directly to the scalp. Minoxidil, for example, stimulates hair follicles, promoting growth and thickening existing hair strands. For best results, you’ll need to be consistent with the application.

Medications

Apart from anti-androgens, other medications can be prescribed to combat hair loss due to PCOS. Birth control pills can regulate menstrual cycles and reduce the level of androgens in the system, indirectly helping to reduce hair thinning.

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any medication to ensure it’s the right fit for your unique situation.

Hair loss can occur due to a wide range of factors. While it is often down to genetics or an issue with the immune system, in some cases it can be caused by medication you’re taking to treat underlying health issues.

As September is high blood pressure awareness month, we look at whether hypertension medication is triggering your hair loss.

What is Hypertension and the Symptoms to Watch Out For?

Hypertension is a chronic medical condition where the force of the blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. Often dubbed the ‘silent killer’, hypertension can go unnoticed for years as it may present with no overt symptoms.

When symptoms do occur, they may include headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, and vision problems. Left untreated, hypertension can lead to severe complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Regular check-ups are crucial for early diagnosis and management.

Blood Pressure Medication and Hair Loss

Anti-hypertensive medications like beta-blockers and diuretics are essential for managing high blood pressure but can sometimes lead to hair thinning or loss as a side effect.

The mechanism behind this is not entirely understood, but it’s believed that these medications can disrupt the natural growth cycle of hair follicles.

If you suspect that your medication is causing hair loss, do not discontinue use without consulting your healthcare provider. The risks associated with untreated high blood pressure far outweigh the concern of hair loss. Instead, discuss alternative medications or complementary treatments that can help you manage both conditions more effectively.

Regular health screenings, especially for blood pressure, are essential as you age. If you notice that you’re losing hair and have high blood pressure, it may not be a mere coincidence. A coordinated approach, possibly involving your hair loss specialist and cardiologist, can provide the most effective strategy for treatment.

If you’re concerned about hair loss and unsure about what is causing it, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist that specialises in hair loss. They will be able to rule out common causes and advise you on whether to seek further help from other specialists.

Ever glanced at a hairy mole and thought it might be the key to reversing hair loss? Probably not, but scientists have! In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified a unique process within hairy moles that might just hold the answer to stimulating hair growth in those grappling with male or female pattern hair loss.

While these initial insights stem from studies conducted on mice, they potentially herald a new frontier in hair restoration techniques. Here, we’ll look at these recent discoveries and explore how they could revolutionise treatments for hair loss.

Study Finds Aged Cells Can Kickstart Hair Growth

In the recent study, researchers examined mice with pigmented skin spots that displayed rapid hair growth. These growth patterns closely mirror those seen in human hairy moles.

Through detailed analysis, the team unearthed the pivotal role of certain signalling molecules on hair stem cells.

It was discovered the aged pigment cells, termed as senescent cells, produced significant amounts of a molecule named osteopontin. This molecule interacted with CD44; a receptor molecule found in the hair stem cells of these mice.

The subsequent interaction activated the hair stem cells, sparking hair growth. In contrast, mice that lacked either the signalling molecule or the receptor molecules, exhibited slower hair growth, reinforcing osteopontin’s crucial role, which has also been observed in human hairy mole samples.

Findings Could Lead to New Injectable Hair Loss Treatments

Conventional wisdom suggests that senescent cells might induce tissue aging. Yet, paradoxically, hair sprouting from mole skin is often dense, long, and youthful. This contradiction challenges the age-old belief, suggesting that senescent cells can, in fact, rejuvenate hair growth.

Notably, these aged cells release signalling molecules, which influence the behaviour of other cells. However, before you get excited about a potential hair growth lotion, there’s a catch.

Osteopontin, being a large protein, can’t seep through the skin via regular topical application. Instead, treatments may require micro-delivery to a depth of about 1 mm, possibly through microneedling methods. This could open the door to effective, minimally invasive treatments for hair loss.

Unravel the Mystery of Your Hair Loss

Hair loss can occur for many different reasons. The good news is there are plenty of treatments currently available that can help to slow down or halt hair loss completely. Some can even encourage hair regrowth.

Before treatment can commence, it’s crucial to understand what is driving your hair loss. This is because different causes require different treatments.

A dermatologist specialising in hair loss can provide diagnosis and management of hair loss.

Exciting developments are consistently being made in the hair loss sector, and the latest provides hope for those suffering with Alopecia Areata. A new oral medication has shown great promise in helping hair to grow back.

The medication, called LITFULO, has gone through careful testing in a recent major study that was set up to make sure it’s both safe and effective. The results were so impressive that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave it the green light in America. This means people aged 12 and older who have severe alopecia areata, can now use LITFULO as a treatment option.

In the UK, for drugs to be approved for use by the NHS it must be passed by the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE). The Department for Health and Social Care has asked NICE to conduct an appraisal of ritlecitinib for treating moderate to severe alopecia areata in people 12 years and over and the expected date for NICE to publish their advice on ritlecitinib for treating AA is November 2023.

While the treatment may not approved in the UK just yet, here we look at what it is and how it performed in recent studies.

New Drug Reverses Hair Loss and Promotes New Growth

In the most recent study involving LITFULO, a large group of more than 700 people with alopecia from 18 different countries participated. These individuals had lost hair on at least half of their scalp and had been dealing with the issue for less than ten years. Half of them had lost all the hair on their scalp.

The participants who took 50 milligrams of LITFULO every day, experienced a remarkable improvement in hair growth. Around 23% of these participants experienced an impressive 80% or more regrowth on their scalp after six months of treatment. In contrast, only around 2% of those who took a fake pill (placebo) saw that kind of improvement.

An interesting finding was those who had been dealing with hair loss for a longer period, didn’t have as much success with LITFULO. This suggests that the medicine might work best if it’s taken in the early stages of hair loss, which can sometimes last several months or even a year.

So how does LITFULO help hair grow back? Well, scientists are still figuring that out. However, what they know so far from experiments with mice and studies of human scalp tissues, is that LITFULO seems to calm the immune system, which can go into overdrive and attack hair follicles in alopecia. Specifically, as an enzyme inhibitor, LITFULO blocks a certain process in immune cells that can lead to inflammation and damage to hair follicles.

What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a penny. It can affect just the hair on the scalp, or it can cause the hair to shed on other parts of the body. It can also affect nail health, causing them to look dented or pitted.

The condition can affect anyone regardless of age and gender, but it often begins in childhood. The extent and duration of hair loss varies from person to person. Some people might experience hair regrowth, but it’s common for hair loss to reoccur. In more severe cases, alopecia areata can evolve into alopecia totalis (loss of all scalp hair), or alopecia universalis (loss of all hair on the scalp and body).

The exact cause of alopecia areata isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to be linked to genetic factors and a malfunction in the immune system.

Treating Alopecia Areata

There’s no cure for alopecia areata, but there are treatments that can help the hair to grow back more quickly and prevent future hair loss. Treatments include topical medications, corticosteroids, and sometimes light therapy. It’s important for those with alopecia areata to consult a specialist for appropriate management and support.

If you are living with alopecia areata, or you are experiencing hair loss and are unsure of the cause, book an appointment with a dermatologist specialising in hair loss today.

In a world where our external appearance often acts as an extension of our identity, hair holds a crucial place. But what happens when our crowning glory starts to thin and eventually disappear?

In both men and women, this phenomenon is most frequently attributed to a condition known as androgenetic alopecia. It’s a genetic, patterned hair loss disorder, influenced by hormones. Despite the common perception, it doesn’t discriminate based on gender.

However, the manifestation, progression, and psychological impact of androgenetic alopecia often significantly differ between men and women.

This blog aims to shed light on these differences, helping us better understand this widespread yet frequently misunderstood condition.

Understanding Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is a genetic hair loss condition affecting millions of people worldwide. The name stems from ‘androgens’, the hormones implicated in its development, and ‘genetic’, denoting its hereditary nature.

At the root of androgenetic alopecia are androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is derived from testosterone through the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. While necessary for certain bodily functions, DHT can bind to androgen receptors in hair follicles, particularly in those genetically predisposed individuals. This binding causes the follicles to shrink over time, leading to shorter and finer hair until, eventually, the hair growth cycle halts completely.

While both genders have androgens, their levels and actions are regulated differently, causing distinct patterns of hair loss.

Male vs Female Androgenetic Alopecia

Despite its common root cause, androgenetic alopecia manifests quite differently in men and women. This is due to the differences in androgen levels and the unique physiological characteristics of each gender.

Men usually experience a well-defined pattern starting above both temples, hence the term ‘receding hairline.’ Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic ‘M’ shape. As it progresses, the hair becomes finer, shorter, and sparser at the crown, leading to complete baldness in many cases.

In contrast, women with androgenetic alopecia typically maintain their hairline. They experience diffuse thinning over the crown, while the frontal hairline remains largely unaffected. It’s less common for a woman to go completely bald; instead, hair loss often leads to overall volume reduction.

Treating Androgenetic Alopecia

Regardless of gender, androgenetic alopecia is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. However, numerous treatment options have proven effective in halting progression and, in some cases, even promoting hair regrowth.

Minoxidil is a topical medication widely used for both genders. It is believed to prolong the growth phase of the hair cycle, promoting thicker and longer hair. Finasteride is an oral medication, usually prescribed to men. It works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, reducing DHT levels, and consequently, its detrimental effects on hair follicles. Due to potential side effects, its use in women is generally limited.

Low-level laser therapy is another option that has been gaining traction in recent years. This non-invasive treatment is believed to stimulate cellular activity in the hair follicles, promoting hair growth.

For women, hormonal treatments like oral contraceptives or anti-androgen drugs may be beneficial, particularly if their hair loss is associated with a hormonal imbalance.

It’s essential to consult with a professional before starting any treatment. The best choice of treatment largely depends on your medical history, and the severity of hair loss. To determine the best course of treatment for your hair loss, book an appointment with a dermatologist specialising in hair loss.