Your health with Pharmacist Advice

Men's Health - Baldness

DEFINITION

Baldness or alopecia refers to hair loss from the scalp. It can be caused by hereditary factors, ageing, skin conditions, certain medications and diseases. It is more common in men than in women.(1)

 

DESCRIPTION

The most common type of hair loss affecting men is male pattern baldness.(2) Heredity is a major factor in male pattern Baldness. If either parent has thinning hair, the chance of their children experiencing hair-loss is increased. The first areas of the head to be affected are usually the top (at the back) or the sides. Hair loss can begin at any age and the degree of Baldness can vary from a bald spot in the back or a receding hairline, to complete Baldness.(3)

Women are not affected as frequently as men and in most cases there is only diffuse thinning of the hair. It is rare for a female to suffer complete Baldness. The causes of Female-Pattern Hair Loss include, excessive androgen (male hormone) production, anaemia, severe illness, certain medications (e.g. those used to treat cancer), an underactive thyroid or pituitary gland or pregnancy. In some cases the hair loss is temporary and the hair grows back.(4)

Alopecia areata is the term used to describe the sudden loss of hair in a particular area, most often from the head or beard. Provided the hair loss is not widespread, the hair usually grows back in a few months.

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

If the patient is already under the care of a Doctor, prescribed medication (e.g. for cancer) may be a possible cause. Sometimes this medication must be maintained and the hair loss has to be ignored(5). People with male or female pattern Baldness can have hair follicles removed from a part of the body and transplanted to their scalp.

A product containing finasteride has been used successfully in some cases of male pattern Baldness(6). Ask your Doctor whether this product is suitable for you.

See your Pharmacist for a minoxidil lotion 2% which is rubbed into the scalp daily. Minoxidil is only suitable for hormonal hair loss, but is suitable for both men and women. In a group of 2000 male adults who used this product for 12 months, around 8% achieved dense hair growth and approximately 30% achieved moderate hair growth.(7)

PHARMACIST

Ask your Pharmacist for advice.

  1. Ask your Pharmacist about any medication that may be causing the problem.
  2. Your Pharmacist will suggest a suitable soft shampoo and hair conditioner that will not rob the hair of important nutrients.
  3. Ask for the latest product for hair loss. A product containing minoxidil 2% and 5% (in a lotion form) can be used for Baldness and may be available over-the-counter from your Pharmacy.
  4. Some nutritional supplements might be suggested if the diet is considered inadequate. See the Vitamins/Minerals/Herbs section of this topic for more information.
  5. Ask your Pharmacist about hair care products that appear to increase the volume of the hair.

DIET HINTS

  • Include plenty of protein-rich foods in the diet.
  • The diet should emphasise raw vegetables, particularly silicon-rich plants such as alfalfa, onion, kelp and rolled oats porridge.
  • Zinc-containing foods such as oysters, herring, beef and pumpkin seeds are recommended.

VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS

  • Jojoba Oil is used in preparations designed to stimulate hair growth and rejuvenation.(8)
  • Biotin, one of the B Group Vitamins, has been used for this condition.
  • Vitamin B3 is thought to increase blood supply to the head.
  • Supplementation with high dose zinc has been shown to reduce hair loss in some people. It may be worth considering zinc supplementation in cases of patchy or total hair loss(9).
  • A clinical trial indicates that the herb saw palmetto, taken in adequate dosages, helps to block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. This action results in an improved outcome for people experiencing androgen (male hormone) induced hair-loss known as androgenetic alopecia.(10)
  • Catechins are molecules found in green tea that may be beneficial in reducing the severity of Baldness by influencing circulating levels of hormones(11) Green tea has been associated with higher levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SBHG). Increased SBHG may be of help in reducing the effects of androgenetic alopecia. One cup of green tea contains approximately 100 mg of catechins. A therapeutic dose of catechins is 300 mg daily(12) Alternatively, capsules of green tea are available.