What Are the Causes of Androgenetic Alopecia, and What Can Be Done to Improve It?

Until the relatively recent past,

the problem of hair loss was easy to think of

as a symptom that appeared in middle-aged and

older adults,

but nowadays, the age of people struggling with

this condition has become younger, and many

people in their 20s and 30s are also said to

be worrying about hair loss and distress caused

by the loss of terminal hair. In particular, in

the case of men, about 50% of patients are in

their 20s and 30s, and in the case of women,

about 40% are in their 40s and 50s, and people

of all ages and genders are increasingly suffering

from the problem of losing natural hair.

It is also said that there are various types of

hair loss. Among them, let’s look at the causes

of the most common type, androgenetic alopecia,

and ways to improve it.

What is androgenetic alopecia?

It can be described as a condition that occurs

due to genetic factors and the influence of male

hormones and components involved in hair growth.

Among the metabolic products is testosterone,

which is then converted into dihydrotestosterone,

accumulates in the hair follicle, and plays a role

in putting it into a resting state. Once the hair

follicle enters this state, nutrients necessary for

natural hair growth are not supplied, so new hair

does not grow in the place where it fell out,

and the hair may gradually become thinner.

In women, estrogen can suppress androgens,

but the hormonal balance in the body may be

disrupted, which reduces female hormones and,

conversely, increases androgens, leading to hair

loss. Androgenetic alopecia can be divided into

male pattern and female pattern. In cases with a

family history, terminal hair gradually becomes

thinner starting around the 20s or 30s, the

hairline between the forehead and scalp gradually

moves backward, the temples form an M shape,

the forehead becomes wider, and hair loss also

gradually progresses in the crown area.

The rate of progression may vary from person to

person, but if these symptoms begin at a relatively

young age, they often progress to severe hair loss.

This pattern is usually observed in men, but it

can occasionally appear in women as well. In

addition, unlike the male pattern, the female

pattern is characterized by thinning hair in the

central area while the hairline above the forehead

is maintained, resulting in a generally reduced

density of hair. It is also a characteristic that

this condition continues chronically and, as the

hair falls out overall, often takes on a pattern

resembling a Christmas tree.

The extent of hair loss is usually mild, and it is

rare for the forehead to become completely bare

or for complete baldness to occur. Sometimes, in

younger women suspected of having the female

pattern without a family history, it is a good idea

to check for ovarian cysts. In women, androgens

are secreted by the ovaries and adrenal glands,

and hair loss due to cysts is said to be accompanied

by hair on the head falling out while hair in other

areas becomes thicker and more abundant, along

with acne and irregular menstruation. The causes

of androgenetic alopecia are strongly influenced

by stress and environmental factors as well as

family history. Stress, which almost no one living

in modern society has not experienced at least

once, disrupts the balance of the autonomic nervous

system and induces changes in immune function,

which can trigger immune reactions around the

hair follicle or affect the hair growth cycle.

In addition, environmental pollution such as air

and water pollution can also irritate the scalp,

and excessive drinking and smoking can have a

detrimental effect on scalp health. Poor eating

habits and extreme dieting can also be cited as

causes of androgenetic alopecia. When food intake

is restricted due to dieting, the supply of minerals

such as magnesium, zinc, and iron, as well as

vitamins A, B, and D, protein, and essential fatty

acids needed for hair growth, becomes insufficient.

In this case, because nutrients absorbed in the

body are prioritized for major organs necessary

for survival, the nutrients that relatively reach

the scalp and hair are reduced. In women, when

going through pregnancy, the female hormone

estrogen increases and hair growth occurs, but

after childbirth, the increased hormone levels

decrease from about 2 to 6 months and, once

they return to the normal range, hair loss naturally

appears.

It is also said that this condition may occur when

taking anticancer drugs or certain medications

such as birth control pills. However, about 6 to

12 months after stopping such medications, it is

said to return to normal. To improve androgenetic

alopecia, it is best to avoid excessive stress and

overwork as much as possible, find a way to

relieve stress that helps you, and maintain a

positive mindset and good condition. Refrain from

smoking and excessive drinking. Tar and nicotine,

the main components of cigarettes, interfere with

blood supply by causing problems in the hair roots,

and cigarette smoke itself can trigger hair loss,

so it is best to avoid smoking and secondhand

smoke.

It can also help to get enough sleep. Ultraviolet

rays can accelerate aging and damage to pores

and the scalp, and if styling products applied to

the hair melt under UV exposure and remain on

the scalp, they can harm hair health, so it is best

to avoid UV exposure. Learn and follow the proper

way to wash your hair, and maintaining a healthy

diet that helps with prevention can also be a way

to improve the condition.

In addition, seeking medical care by finding the

right treatment method according to individual

characteristics can also be helpful. Depending on

the situation, treatment can be provided by

prescribing oral medications and topical medications,

and if the condition is severe, choosing surgery

can also be considered an improvement option.