Creating myths is an ancient activity humans liked to engage in to stimulate their creative capabilities and pull together society. Over the years, however, the habit of myth creating has evolved to, unfortunately, include the medical field. The countless half-truths and misconceptions about various conditions can have serious consequences. Although with hair loss the myths are not life-threatening, they can delude you and possibly hinder your recovery. Below are four of the most popular myths regarding hair loss.
1. It is inherited from your mother
For many years, we have collectively decided to blame the misfortunate event of baldness on our mothers. While the statement does hold some truth, it is not correct to blame mothers alone for hair loss. The gene involved in androgen receptors is X-linked, however, this single gene alone is incapable of making you go bald. Other sex-independent genes are involved that function together to make your scalp smooth.
2. It’s permanent
Many men assume that there is no escape from male-pattern hair loss other than acceptance. In reality, there are many successful treatments that patients can seek to restore their hair. A permanent solution is currently hair transplants alone. The surgery extracts follicular units unaffected with hair loss from areas of stable hair growth and relocates them to areas of hair loss. The process of transplantation does not affect the anti-hair loss properties of the grafts and they continue to initiate hair growth in the area.
For hair transplants to be effective patients need to have sufficient areas of hair growth that could potentially cover the balding scalp. If you need help assessing your scalp for hair transplants, book an online consultation with a medical specialist from Vera Clinic.
3. It is the result of high testosterone
Another misconception about male pattern baldness is that it results from high levels of testosterone. This information is false as hair loss is a matter of androgen resistance and androgen sensitivity. Certain follicular units are more sensitive to the effects of DHT and have higher DHT receptors which lead to their premature dormancy of follicular units. Stable follicular units, on the other hand, have lower DHT receptors in addition to lower 5-alpha-reductase activity in neighbor areas.
4. It only affects men
Male pattern hair loss is known as androgenic alopecia, a condition that affects women as well. However, the characteristics of the condition between the sexes differs. In men androgenic alopecia happens in a distinct pattern whereas in women, hair loss is more diffuse. Consequently, the condition in women is referred to as female pattern hair loss.
In summary
While practicing myth-making can be a fun experience for certain individuals, it’s important for the rest of us to do the diligence. Many of the current myths regarding hair loss could prevent patients from receiving the right treatment and medical care. Androgenic alopecia is an inherited condition acquired from both parents and not a phenomenon that mothers alone should be blamed for. The condition could be permanently reversed with hair transplants, a surgery that relocates stable follicular units to areas of hair loss to initiate growth in previously deserted areas.
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