Assessment of hair loss: clinical relevance of hair growth evaluation methods.

DreamPharm Products:

Clin Exp Dermatol 2002 Jul;27(5):358-65

Assessment of hair loss: clinical relevance of hair growth evaluation methods.

This review on hair growth measurement methods focuses on human scalp hair in the context of clinically relevant assessment of hair loss. This phenomenon is the end result of a complex combination of events closely associated with hair cycling followed by defective hair replacement. The methodological spectrum ranges from the most to the least invasive approach. All of the measurement methods referred to are critically reviewed, with their stronger and weaker aspects, in view of their potential application in the skin and hair clinic. The existence of recently developed highly resolutive noninvasive analytical methods capable of exploring almost every aspect of the dynamics of this growth and loss phenomenon allowed calibration of more global scoring method. From this review, the author concludes that a combination of a highly resolutive analytical approach with a global calibrated method seems advisable in the context of the monitoring of hair growth changes for better or worse, i.e. scalp hair growth or hair loss in the hair clinic.

Ther Umsch 2002 May;59(5):238-42

Hair loss in internal medical illnesses

Hair loss related to internal diseases is generally temporary and often fully reversible. An iron- or protein-deficiency induced hair loss may be cured by simple substitution. In acute internal diseases, fever and after operations the patient may expect complete recovery of the hair loss without therapy. Symptomatic alopecia due to chronic diseases has a different prognosis and is dependent on the severity and character of the underlaying disease. If the systemic disease can be cured the hair loss may be decreased. Treatment and diagnosis of the systemic disease is recommended to be performed in cooperation with experts of internal medicine, oncologists and specialists of endocrinology.

J Cardiovasc Risk. 2003 Jun;10(3):227-31.

Hair loss, insulin resistance, and heredity in middle-aged women. A population-based study.

CONTEXTThe association of androgenic alopecia (AGA) with insulin resistance, coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia has been previously reported in men, but no such association has been reported in women with female androgenic alopecia (AGA). Female AGA has usually been linked with hyper-androgenism and hirsutism and, most recently, also with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), even though epidemiological documentation of the latter association is scanty. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is quite common among Caucasian women, and its association with insulin resistance is well documented.OBJECTIVES AND DESIGNThe aim of this study was to obtain a more precise estimation of the prevalence on female AGA and to describe its possible connections with insulin resistance linked parameters and with paternal and maternal family history of alopecia. A cross-sectional population based cohort survey was carried out in the City of Oulu, Finland in 1998.SETTING AND PARTICIPANTSAs a part of a population based cohort study the hair status of 324 women aged 63 years was assessed by a modification of Ludwig's scale. The background data consisting of anthropometric measures (weight, height, body mass index, waist, hip and neck circumferences), smoking status, chronic diseases and their medication as well as the family history of AGA were collected by questionnaires and interviews made by study nurses and in clinical examination. Blood samples for laboratory tests were taken on the same occasion.RESULTSThe prevalence of extensive loss of hair (at least grade II or III on Ludwig's scale) was quite high (31.2%). The insulin resistance associated parameters, such as waist and neck circumferences, abdominal obesity measured by waist-to-hip ratio, mean insulin concentration (11.3 mU/l versus 9.95 mU/l, p=0.02) or urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (1.80 versus 1.58, p=0.01), were significantly higher in women with extensive hair loss compared to those with normal hair or only minimal hair loss (grade I on Ludwig's scale). The women belonging to the highest quintiles of neck or waist circumferences had significantly increased risk for extensive hair loss compared to those with normal hair or minimal hair loss, the unadjusted ORs being 2.25 (95% CI, 1.26-4.03) and 1.75 (95% CI, 1.00-3.07), respectively. Similarly in women with hyperinsulinemia (fs-insulin >10 mU/l), microalbuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio exceeding the highest microalbuminuria decile (>2.5 mg/mmol) and paternal history of AGA the ORs for alopecia were increased being 1.65 (95% CI, 1.02-2.67), 2.39 (95% CI, 1.21-4.73) and 2.08 (95% CI, 1.26-3.44). All of these ORs, except those for highest quintiles of waist and neck circumferences remained significant in multiple adjusted models.CONCLUSIONSAccording to the results of this study, female AGA (grade II or III on Ludwig's scale) was quite common among Finnish women aged 63 years. Our results support the hypothesis that women with some markers of insulin resistance have significantly increased risk for female AGA. Paternal history of alopecia seemed to be more common in female AGA compared to women with normal or minimal loss of hair.

Eur J Dermatol. 2003 Mar-Apr;13(2):150-60.

Efficacy and tolerability of finasteride 1 mg in men aged 41 to 60 years with male pattern hair loss.

A 24-month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study of 424 men was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of finasteride 1 mg on hair growth/loss in men aged 41 to 60 years with mild-to-moderate, predominantly vertex male pattern hair loss. Efficacy was evaluated by review of global photographs of the vertex scalp taken at baseline and at Months 6, 12, 18, and 24 and by patient self-assessments and investigator clinical assessments of change from baseline in hair growth/loss collected at Months 6, 12, 18, and 24. Safety analyses included assessment of clinical and laboratory adverse experiences, including sexual adverse experiences. Analysis of global photographic assessment data showed significant improvement in hair growth for men in the finasteride group compared with those taking placebo beginning at Month 6 (p < 0.001) and maintained through Month 24 (p < 0.001). Results of the patient self-assessment and investigator assessments were consistent with those from the global photographic assessment. Finasteride 1 mg improved scalp hair growth in men aged 41 to 60 years with predominantly vertex male pattern hair loss compared with results seen with placebo. Improvement was evident by 6 months of treatment and continued through 24 months. Treatment with finasteride 1 mg was generally well tolerated.

Hair growth is a sophisticated biological process, which is still not thoroughly understood. A multitude of therapeutic measures, including drugs, surgery, and suppelements have been made available, and used. However, due to the diversity of the problems underlying hair loss, there is no single solution for all hair loss cases. Most of chemical drugs and hair transplantation surgeries are not free from varying degrees of undesirable side effects on health.

Hair Million is an alternative solution to hair loss problems. Anecdotally, it shows prositive results and improvement especially for age-related hair thinning and hair loss for a fraction of people who take it. We do not know the mechanisms of action as to how Hair Million works to help stop hair loss, and promote hair growth. We only know by anecdotal observations. There has been no clinical trials nor placebo controlled statistical analysis on the efficacy of Hair Million on hair loss and hair growth. For the clinically tested, FDA approved prescription medication, check Propecia.

DHEA has been suggested to provide numerous potential benefits. DHEA (or dehydroepiandrosterone) is converted into androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female hormones) in the cells.

Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online|| Best Realtor in Glendale, California: Residential Home and Commercial Property || Related Web pages || Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online ||