When Baldness is Permanent

If you’ve waited long enough and your hair doesn’t grow back, chances are your baldness is permanent. Permanent baldness is classified into two types: scarring and non-scarring baldness.

Scarring baldness occurs after a severe bacterial or fungal infection, tuberculosis, or an inflammation. It can also be due to chemical burns or anything that damages the hair follicles.

The most common form of permanent baldness is non-scarring baldness which is also known as hereditary hair loss, male pattern baldness, and pattern hair loss. Since the male androgen hormone is involved, the condition is also known as androgenetic alopecia. This is a hereditary condition which accounts for 95 percent of all cases of hair loss. It affects over 30 million men in the United States alone and is marked by a receding hairline and gradual loss of hair on the crown.

The hairline eventually forms an “M” shape until it meets the thinning spot on top of the head. As the bald areas of the head spread, the person is left with hair only around the sides or back of the head.

Those with male-pattern baldness have every reason to be sad. Aside from being permanent, this condition can begin as early as age 15 or 16, making life miserable for those who love their hair. Contrary to popular belief, male-pattern baldness is not due to poor circulation in the scalp or a vitamin deficiency. The nutritional status of a bald scalp and areas with a good set of hair are the same. Hence, there’s no need to waste money on vitamin supplements which have no effect on hair growth.

While the blood supply of a balding scalp is less, it is normal and adequate to supply the small hair follicles. This is a physiological response to the diminished needs of the small hair follicles and does not affect the growth of hair in the other non-balding areas of the head. In most cases, male-pattern baldness is related to age, changing hormones, and heredity.

“Most cases of baldness are not due to disease but are genetic and, unfortunately, permanent. Such inherited or pattern baldness affects more men than women. Twenty-five percent of the male population begin to be bald by the time they reach age 30, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60. This inherited tendency appears to be transmitted more often from the maternal side of the family, which is what I emphasize to my three sons, all of whom are losing their hair,” said Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital in “The Best Treatment.”

Do women become bald too? Yes, they do but the problem is not as severe as in men. Female-pattern baldness, which affects about 50 percent of women, is characterized by thinning hair all over the head with moderate hair loss on the crown. Like male-pattern baldness, it follows the aging process and is inherited.

“Both men and women suffer from pattern balding. In men, it tends to be hereditary and involves the metabolism of male hormones (androgens) in the hair. Male hair loss can begin at age 20 or earlier. In women, pattern balding is also related to a hormonal mechanism, but usually doesn’t begin until after menopause. In men, hair loss begins at the forehead or either side of the front and continues to the top of the head. In contrast, pattern balding in women is more diffuse, usually less extensive, and starts on the back of the crown. Some women experience hair loss at times of hormonal fluctuation such as during pregnancy, menstruation, or during post-menopausal hormone therapy,” according to the editors of “The Women’s Book of Home Remedies” published by Consumer Guide.

Regardless of the cause of baldness, one thing is certain: lack of hair can make you look old and ugly. That’s why it’s important to care for your hair. To preserve your youthful looks, take care of your face too. One product that can help is Dermaxin, a popular skin cream that contains special ingredients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by as much as 45 percent. Dermaxin repairs and rejuvenates the skin so you'll look young, fresh, and wrinkle-free! It's your best defense against the signs of aging. For details, visit http://www.dermaxin.com.