Dermatologist and hair surgeon Dr. Leila Bloch answers the top questions about baldness and guides you on what to do when you notice excessive hair loss
Baldness, or alopecia, is a relatively common condition that greatly affects the self-esteem of people who end up suffering from the problem. Data from the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) indicate that 30% of male patients begin to live with baldness when they reach the age of 30, a period in which the hair strands thin out more frequently and increase the fall. Similarly, although baldness is often seen as more common in men, it also affects women. Data from the Brazilian Association of Baldness Surgery (ABCRC) show that 25% of women between the ages of 35 and 40 suffer from some degree of baldness, while above this age the percentage reaches 50%. Since it is a problem that affects both men and women, without a certain age, it is important to learn more about baldness and how to avoid it, treating it even for those who already suffer from it. A
Dr. Leila Bloch*
who has a doctorate in hair and is the creator of Clínica Bloch, comes to answer some questions about baldness.
What causes baldness?
The most common cause of baldness concerns hereditary problems, that is, it derives from the person’s genetics. While there are other possibilities, around 90% of all hair loss is the result of a condition known as androgenetic alopecia, characterized by thinning hair. This situation is stimulated by an increased sensitivity to the hormonal action of dihydrotestosterone. After this process begins, a slow and progressive picture of hair loss occurs.
Are hair loss treatments for men and women similar?
There are numerous ways to treat hair loss problems, including the use of specific shampoos, hair lotions, vitamins, medications, and hair transplantation itself. To adopt the best treatment, it is first necessary to know the case of each patient.
“It is important to remember that not everyone can undergo any type of treatment. It is necessary to know what are the causes of hair loss to start the best treatment. on the treatment to follow for hair loss”, marks Dr. Leila Bloch
A fairly common doubt even when it comes to hair loss is whether there is actually efficacy in the drugs used. Currently, there are FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of androgenic hair loss, including Minoxidil, which is a topical drug for men and women, and Finasteride, an oral drug. However, as mentioned above, not all cases can be resolved with medication alone. ”
Although these drugs can delay and even halt the progression of hair loss, in a large number of cases hair loss also occurs with the drug, which makes hair transplantation the best solution for more advanced cases of baldness/ Alopecia” ,
emphasizes the specialist.
Image by Canva
How does hair transplant surgery work?
A series of changes has transformed hair restoration into a highly sophisticated, artistic and, at the same time, minimally invasive procedure. Transplantation is no longer just a medical intervention and has become a “hair art”, given the fullness of its results.
“The transplanted hair is taken from one area of the body (donor area) and transferred to another (recipient area). The transplanted follicle is not “rejected” as it is not foreign to the body”explains Dr. Leila.
Furthermore, the procedure has a permanent result, as the threads have not been thinned, as they retain the memory of the donor area. That is, the result of the intervention is prolonged.
Is there a minimum age to perform the surgery?
Baldness can affect different age groups, men and women. In this context, it is important to underline that there is no minimum age to perform a hair transplant surgery, as it has a low surgical risk. However, it is important to have a concrete definition of hair loss when performing transplants in younger patients. This diagnosis is evaluated by medical appointments with a specialist. Baldness is directly related to self-esteem. For some people, hair loss can end up causing the development of other illnesses, such as depression and anxiety disorders, as the person cannot be satisfied with their self-image. Therefore, as soon as hair loss is detected, it is essential to go to a specialist doctor to check the causes of hair loss and analyze the best treatment options for each case. Being comfortable with one’s image is a matter of psychological and emotional health, which directly affects interpersonal relationships.
*Dr. Leila Bloch is a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMUSP). She holds a PhD in Health Sciences in the area of hair from the Institute of Medical Assistance to State Civil Employees, IAMSPE, Brazil. She is a specialist in Dermatology at the Brazilian Society of Dermatology and at the MEC, she is Medical Director and founder of Bloch Clinic since 2010 and author of the book From thread to thread.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
