2024-03-27 05:45:00
Our hair has a lot to say. The way we cut, style and color them is often a representation of who we are. But hair is not limited to its aesthetic role. They perform many important functions. They prevent, for example, heat loss through the skin or (in the case of our eyebrows) sweat from running into our eyes. Hair can also be a reflection of what is happening inside our body. Many diseases can alter the quality and appearance of our hair. Paying attention to their appearance can give clues about our state of health.
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The follicles that produce and nourish hair are among the tiniest organs in our body. Hair can only grow where follicles are present. Hair growth is a complex process. Each tiny follicle goes through different cyclical stages. The first is the phase of active hair growth (“anagen” phase), before growth stops (“catagen” phase). This phase then progresses towards hair loss or follicle fall (“telogen” phase). Genetics, hormones, age: many factors can affect these follicles and their growth.
Excessive hair growth
Hypertrichosis is a condition in which excess hair grows throughout the body. In most cases, it is a reaction to taking a new medicine, such as phenytoin – used to treat epilepsy. It can also be caused by illnesses such as anorexia and HIV [L’Assurance maladie invite à faire un bilan médical en cas d’hypertrichose simple ou de pilosité abondante chez la femme, NDLR].
READ ALSO Secrets of psychiatrists: the pleasure of eating your hairCertain conditions also cause hair to grow in places where they shouldn’t be. In newborns, the presence of tufts of hair near the base of the spine may indicate spina bifida occulta. This happens when the lower vertebrae of the spine have not formed properly, leaving the delicate spinal cord covered only by skin. The why and how of these conditions and their ability to trigger hypertrichosis remain poorly understood.
Hirsutism is another condition characterized by excessive hair growth, but in a typically male pattern (in other words, the hairs are located in places on the body where they are usually present in men and not in women): on the face, lips, chest and arms. This phenomenon is due to androgenic hormones, namely testosterone which, at high levels, promotes hair growth in these areas. This phenomenon can be observed in polycystic ovarian syndrome [le syndrome des ovaires polykystiques, ou SOPK, est la maladie hormonale la plus fréquente chez les femmes en âge de procréer, ainsi que la première cause d’infertilité féminine, NDLR].
The causes of alopecia
Hair may also begin to fall out in abnormal amounts, becoming thinner or absent on certain parts of the body. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. It can be localized or generalized. The causes of alopecia are multiple and include fungal infections [provoquées par des champignons, NDLR]anemia due to iron deficiency, low thyroid hormone levels, and taking medications (including chemotherapy).
Age, gender and genetics are also to blame. Male pattern baldness occurs at the hairline and crown of the head. It is influenced by the hormone testosterone, which shortens the hair growth phase and makes it thinner. Most men with male pattern baldness begin to experience hair loss around the age of 20-25.
Female pattern baldness, on the other hand, usually affects the frontal hairline first and causes thinning rather than complete hair loss. The role of testosterone is more questionable in women. But there is a hormonal cause since hair thinning is more common around and after menopause.
Hair loss can also result from pulling out hair. A tight hairstyle can cause traction on the follicle and loss of hair integrity. Some people may also pull or pull out their hair out of habit. This is called trichotillomania.
Hair regrowth treatments
To help hair grow back, it may be enough to treat the underlying condition that’s causing it. Treatment with a medication based on the active ingredient minoxidil may also be considered. This medication was initially developed to treat high blood pressure, but has been observed to also promote hair regrowth. Its action may be due to a direct effect on the hair follicles or to an improvement in blood circulation in the scalp. These uncertainties may explain why some patients see their condition improve and others do not.
Hair transplantation is also a possibility. It involves replacing hair cultures in areas that have become bald. We can proceed in two ways: we transplant either several small grafts by “perforation”, or a larger strip of skin. The grafts are taken from the hairy skin of the patient’s body – an example of an autograft.
Sometimes hair is found on certain visible areas of the body where its presence is not desirable. There are certain treatments to stop this excessive growth. In addition to traditional hair removal methods, birth control pills and other medications that regulate the hormonal influence on hair (such as finasteride) may be considered if a hormonal disease is the cause (such as PCOS). [En France, l’Agence nationale de sécurité des médicaments, ou ANSM, met en garde contre les effets indésirables, notamment psychiques (anxiété, dépression, pensées suicidaires susceptibles de conduire au suicide), qui peuvent être liés à la prise de finastéride 1 mg. « En raison d’un risque de malformation des organes génitaux des garçons, les femmes enceintes ou susceptibles de l’être ne doivent jamais manipuler des comprimés cassés ou écrasés de finastéride », alertent aussi les services de l’ANSM. Enfin, l’agence invite les personnes qui prennent du finastéride à en informer systématiquement les médecins qu’elles sont amenées à consulter, NDLR.]
The “hair pull” test
To get a better idea of the health of your hair, you can perform a simple test yourself at home, known as a hair pull. Select a group of 30 to 50 hairs (a small clump) and run your fingers from the base of the hair, at scalp level, to the ends. It is not necessary to pull hard, a light pull is enough to dislodge a falling hair. Look at how many hairs you pulled out.
Normally, only one or two hairs are pulled out, but this can vary from person to person. Beyond ten hairs, it is likely that your scalp will lose more hair than normal. This may suggest alopecia; Seeing a dermatologist for a more detailed inspection can help you determine if your hair loss is a sign of a more serious problem.
Changes in your hair are not necessarily related to age or how you style it. There are many situations that require paying attention to hair growth or loss. Take note of any changes, whether noticed by yourself or by your hairdresser.
* Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol
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