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Baldness 'could be good for your health' say scientists

Baldness is a result of high levels of the male hormone testosterone

A receding hairline can be a good thing, according to US scientists, who say men who go bald by 30 appear to be less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine studied 2,000 men aged between 40 and 47.

They were able to link high levels of the male hormone testosterone in those who lose their hair earlier with a lower risk of tumours.

The findings are published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology.

Half of the men in this study had suffered prostate cancer.

Researchers compared the rate of tumours in those who said their hair had thinned by the age of 30 with those who did not suffer hair loss.

Men who had started to develop bald spots on the top of their heads as well as receding hairlines had a 29% to 45% reduction in the risk of prostate cancer.

Roots of baldness

By age 30, approximately 25-30% of men will have some baldness, researchers believe. Half of all men suffer significant hair loss by the age of 50.
Baldness is caused when hair follicles become exposed to too much dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is a chemical produced by the male hormone testosterone.

Experts believe that men with high levels of testosterone are more likely to lose their hair, especially if baldness runs in the family.

Prostate cancer sufferers are often given drugs to reduce testosterone levels because they can accelerate the growth of some tumours once they develop.

But this study suggests that high levels of testosterone from a young age might protect against the disease.

Dr Helen Rippon, head of research management at The Prostate Cancer Charity, says: “Clearly, the age at which a man begins to lose his hair is unfortunately not a risk factor for prostate cancer over which he has any control.

“However, if these results are correct, they could be useful in providing us with a greater understanding of how testosterone behaves in the body and how it can affect different tissues.”

Dr Alison Ross of Cancer Research UK said the link between baldness and prostate cancer is still unknown because previous studies have found the opposite to this one.

“The results hinge on asking men between ages 40 and 70 to remember whether their hair was thinning when they were 30, which does not provide a very reliable measurement,” she added.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

What causes excessive hair loss?

A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.

Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.

Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they’ve had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again.

Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, high blood pressure or heart problems, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills and antidepressants.

Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.

Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Check-up pregnancy-related hair loss

MARION KERR

What can cause hair to fall out? Although I’m used to seeing some hair loss after brushing it or in the drain after a shower, lately the amounts have increased. My hair doesn’t look noticeably thinner, but I’m getting worried I could end up bald. Help!

There are quite a number of causes of excessive hair loss. These can include hormonal problems, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid or an imbalance of sex hormones (androgens and oestrogens). Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.

Hair loss is a common problem after pregnancy and during the menopause. For those who experience a major illness or surgery, hair loss can occur after the event, and is usually the result of stress.

Certain medications including anticoagulants (blood thinners) and treatments for high blood pressure, gout and cardiac conditions can cause hair loss. Certain antidepressants,

high doses of vitamin and oral contraceptives may also result in hair thinning.

In addition, fungal infections of the scalp, particularly in children, can cause hair to fall out. Hair loss can be a sign of other conditions such as diabetes or lupus.

And let’s not forget the use of hair products that contain harsh chemicals that can damage the scalp and lead to hair loss.

I had my baby four months ago, but the problem is only happening now. Is this normal?

It’s perfectly normal to lose more hair than usual in the months following delivery, with the problem affecting between 40 and 50 per cent of postpartum women.

Normally, about 90 per cent of our hair is in the growing stage while the remaining 10 per cent is in the resting stage.

Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place – these we usually notice in our brushes or in the drain after hair washing.

During pregnancy, increased levels of oestrogen prolongs the growing stage, leaving fewer hairs resting and is the reason why during pregnancy our hair tends to look thicker and more luxuriant.

However, after giving birth, oestrogen levels plummet, causing more hair to enter the resting phase. This results in a large proportion of hair falling out at the same time.

But don’t panic, your hair will grow back as hormone levels return to normal. Within six to 12 months it should be back to its pre-pregnancy condition.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Hair loss isn't just a nuisance… it's a signal to head to the doctor

By Dr Ellie Cannon

Strands of evidence: Hair loss can point to worse problems

Hair loss may sound relatively minor but it is both distressing and common. It should always be investigated, as it can be revealing in regard to your general state of health.

Q: I knew I would lose hair after the birth of my child but it’s still falling out nearly a year on – why?
A: General diffuse hair loss after pregnancy is normal and usually occurs between four and ten months after giving birth as oestrogen levels drop. It can continue for longer, but do see your GP as it may be a sign of an iron deficiency or thyroid problem.

Q: My hair is coming out in patches. Is this stress?
A: Not normally. Stressrelated hair loss tends to be general, not patchy. More likely causes would be fungal infections such as ringworm or hairstyles that pull the hair too tight – known as traction alopecia. A relatively common cause of patchy hair loss is alopecia areata, which can also result in total baldness.

Q: I think I have alopecia areata. What can be done?
A: While distressing, this resolves spontaneously in three to six months, so many GPs would advocate watching and waiting. If treatment is to be started, you can use lotions containing minoxidil (Regaine) or your doctor may prescribe topical steroids. Many will try an antifungal shampoo first, as fungal infections can mimic this type of alopecia.

Q: My hair is thinning and my skin is dry – do I have a thyroid problem?
A: Thyroid disorders do cause hair and skin problems. An underactive thyroid tends to cause hair to grow much more slowly and become coarse. Hair loss can be patchy and the skin dry and scaly. An overactive thyroid would be more likely to cause diffuse hair loss. Thyroid problems can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.

Q: Could my blood-thinning tablets cause hair loss?
A: Yes – it is associated with the blood-thinning drugs warfarin and heparin. Many medicines can cause hair loss, including those that treat gout and thyroid problems, as well as the contraceptive Pill.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Health news: Confusion over high tech hair loss aids

Firms only mention US FDA approval when selling in the UK

By Tim Locke
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks

2nd February 2010 — “LaserCombs” are a relatively new class of product designed to fight hair loss – combining a brush with a special light source. They’re sold online in the UK with the marketing information saying they are “FDA approved” – meaning the US health regulator has cleared them for use.

There’s no mention of them being UK approved, which is because they are not classed as health products here.

They are sold online in the UK for around £350, with promises of “increased hair growth, cessation of hair loss, faster growing hair, more manageability and more vibrant colour”.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says the devices do not fall under its remit.

Jennifer Kyne from the MHRA told us by email, “Whether or not a specific product would be a medical device under Directive 93/42/EEC would depend on the claims being made for each individual product by its manufacturer. ’Hair loss’ or ‘balding’ is not regarded as being a medical condition and therefore products which claim to treat such problems will not be medical devices and would not require CE marking as such.”

“It should also be noted that the regulations in the USA are not the same as those in the EU and just because something has been FDA approved does not mean that it is a medical device under EU regulations.”

The Trading Standards Institute told us that because the devices are actually FDA approved, the marketing information is not misleading, as long as it is made clear this is a US clearance, and not a UK one.

Devices are safety approved
Randy Veliky, operations officer for Lexington International HairMax in the US which makes the LaserCombs told us, “We worked with regulatory consultants to pursue medical device clearance in the UK and other EU countries. We received the same response from the MHRA and others, that hair loss is just a sign of ageing,” so there was no need for medical device approval for cosmetic use.

However he points out, “The devices do have CE licences for laser and electrical safety.”

And he says they are “selling well” in the UK.

Many experts sceptical
Experts point out that it’s unclear how the comb actually works. This has led to scepticism about its effectiveness.

Rebecca Freeman, spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists told us by email, “Any type of hair loss can lead to self-esteem and confidence problems and many people, in a quest to regain hair growth or slow down hair loss, are being sold ineffective treatments. It is important for hair loss sufferers to visit a dermatologist to discuss all their treatment options and to look at the research available about each product before deciding whether or not to buy into expensive treatments.”

View Article Sources
SOURCES:
NHS Choices – Hair loss
Jennifer Kyne , Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) press officer
Trading Standards Institute press office

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help