Skin Diseases and Hair loss

Haut & Haarprobleme (Zusammenfassung für unsere deutschen Leser)

Haarausfall gehört zu den häufigsten Hautproblemen. Schon bei kleinen Kindern (Alopecia areata) oder bei anlagebedingtem Haarausfall im Teenageralter können die Haare ausfallen. In der Regel handelt es sich um anlagebedingtem Haarausfall . Es könne aber weitere Ursachen vorliegen, die unbedingt ausgeschlossen werden sollten, weil es sich meist um gravierende Erkrankungen handelt (wie Stoffwechselstörungen, Diabetes, Krebs). Aus diesem Grund ist ein Arztbesuch immer anzuraten.

Zur Behandlung stehen nur wenige wirksame Mittel zur Verfügung, im wesentlichen sind dies bei anlagebedingtem Haarausfall die Wirkstoffe Finasterid (Propecia) und Minoxidil (Regaine). Beide Wirkstoffe müssen langfrisitg angewendet werden, helfen nicht in jedem Fall, und die Wirkung geht bei einem Absetzen wieder verloren.

Bei der Haartransplantation werden Haare aus dem hinteren Bereich des Kopfes, der in der Regel noch in hohem Alter Haare aufweist, in die vorderen kahlen Stellen verpflanzt. Die Haare wachsen dort einfach weiter. Da es sich hier um eineSchönheitsoperation handelt, übernimmt die gesetzliche Krankenversicherung aber keine Kosten. Außerdem sollte beachtete werden, dass es große Unterschiede in Qualität, Technik und Preisen bei den verschiedenen Kliniken gibt. Daher sollte man sich vorher ausführlich informieren - in Deutschland ist wesentlich das Forum Haartranstransplantation zu nennen.

Main causes of Hair loss

Millions of people of all kind experience from hair loss - It is one of the most usual health troubles. Even children, teenagers and young women may be suffering from hair loss. A normal person has roughly 100,000 hairs, which grow in a regular rhythm of growing, rest and destruction. A loss of 50-100 hairs each day is nothing to worry about. If the numbers of lost hairs increases above 100 hairs daily, hair loss becomes evident.

Androgenous alopecia is the most common problem: The vast majority of people suffers from an androgenous alopecia, induced by the genes of the family. Beside the genetic influences - which barely can be altered - more causes are possible and should be carefully evaluated, best by seeing a specialized doctor.

Alopecia areata: Another genetic influenced disease is alopecia areata. It is typical that the hair loss starts on small areas, but may become bigger and bigger and could result in fully balding. Treatment is fully different to other conditions, as it is related to the immune system.

Hormonal disorders: Particularly women do have a very fragile and fluctuating hormon system, in which even natural developments like maternity or menopause may lead to severe alterations and hair loss in consequence. Even young women may experience hair loss

Serious medical reasons: Beside these more common reason hair loss could also be indicative for serious medical conditions like. diabetes, thyroidal disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome. It is therefore extremely recommended to see a doctor if you observe excessive hair loss on a consistent basis.

Stress and traumatic Causes: Abrupt trauma like unforeseen decease of a loved one, accidents, depressive disorder and other sources of stress can lead to hair loss.

The best possible Hair Loss Remedies

It is interesting that most of the hair loss remedies sold were developed to cure other diseases. Here are some helpful hints about the different hair loss treatments available. You need to be aware of the possible side effects of each treatment. To have a right diagnosis and get the best fitting treatment for you it is advisable to see your doctor first before selecting any hair loss medication.

Minoxidil: Minoxidil or Rogaine / Regaine as its market's names is the other drug approved by FDA and other regulatory agencies around the world to treat hair loss. Minoxidil was used to be a prescription drugs only for people suffering from hypertension but since 1996 it is also available to treat hair loss, as hair growth originally seen as an unwished side effect during medication. Even topically, Minoxidil may can have an effect on blood pressure. Weight gain might also be noticeable to users.

Finasteride: Known in its trademark as Propecia (hair loss) or Proscar (prostata), Finasteride is initially considered soley as treatment of prostate problems. Also in this case it has been observed that men experienced hair growth after taking the medication for while. In consequence FDA finally approved the drug as a hair loss remedy. However, serious problems like erectile dysfunction, decrease in sex drive, fewer ejaculations after sex, and gynecomastia (enlarging of breast) were seen by men using Finasteride.

Surgery: Hair Transplant

Beside the drug treatment there is another possibilty to regain natural hair. The method of hair transplantat has developed in early 20th century, but improved vastly over the last years, and now has reached a point where it is a standard within esthetic surgery . The principle is easy to follow: Hairs are removed from the area of the rear head, where in most cases enough hairs exist, and is implanted in the baldy front regions. The transferred hairs simply continue to grow, the results of even long-lasting hair loss becomes invisible..

One of the first methods is called Strip Incisions, consisting of tearing a piece of the skin with hair on it, and inserting it on areas, which require the hair. Another more recent method is called FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), which means that the hair is extracted in single grafts of 3-4 hairs.

A hair transplant is a quick and mostly successful measure, but it requires quite a big investment. For this reason it is advisable to look for specialized sites dealing with this, like hair transplant

Also it should be mentioned that a standard drug treatment after a hair transplant slows down the process of loosing hair as much as possible.