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Hair
disorders
include
excessive
hairiness
(hirsutism),
hair loss,
and
ingrown
beard
hairs.
Although
most hair
disorders
are not
serious or
life
threatening,
they are
often
perceived
as major
cosmetic
issues
that
require
treatment.
Excessive
Hair
Different
people
have
widely
varying
amounts of
body hair.
A person's
age, sex,
racial and
ethnic
origin,
and
hereditary
factors
determine
the amount
of body
hair. The
definition
of
"excessive"
hair is
subjective.
In some
cultures,
hairy men
are
considered
masculine;
in others,
hairiness
is
eschewed.
Some women
detest
having any
body hair,
whereas
others are
not
concerned
by it.
Rarely,
excessive
hairiness
is present
at birth
(because
of a
hereditary
disorder)
but
usually
develops
later in
life. In
women and
children,
excessive
hairiness
can be
caused by
disorders
of the
pituitary
gland,
adrenal
glands, or
ovaries
that
result in
overproduction
of male
hormones.
Click here
to read
about
laser hair
removal
treatments
Hair
Loss
Hair loss
may
develop
gradually
or
suddenly.
It results
from
hereditary
factors,
aging,
local skin
conditions,
and
diseases
that
affect the
body
generally
(systemic
diseases).
Many
different
drugs can
also cause
hair loss.
When it
occurs on
the head,
hair loss
is
generally
referred
to as
baldness.
Androgenetic
alopecia
is
the
most
common
type
of
hair
loss,
eventually
affecting
about
half
of
all
men
(male-pattern
baldness)
and
10 to
20%
of
women
(female-pattern
baldness).
A
slightly
elevated
level
of
the
male
hormone
dihydrotestosterone
probably
plays
a
major
role,
along
with
genetic
factors.
The
hair
loss
can
begin
at
any
age,
even
during
the
teenage
years.
Toxic
alopecia
is
hair
loss
resulting
from
physical
or
psychologic
stress.
Sudden
weight
loss,
many
severe
illnesses
(particularly
those
that
involve
a
high
fever),
or
surgery
may
cause
hair
loss.
Some
drugsincluding
chemotherapy
drugs,
blood
pressure
drugs,
oral
contraceptives,
vitamin
A,
and
retinoidscan
also
cause
the
condition.
Toxic
alopecia
may
also
result
from
an
underactive
thyroid
gland
or
pituitary
gland
and
commonly
occurs
after
pregnancy.
Alopecia
areata
is a
common
skin
disorder
in
which
round,
irregular
patches
of
hair
are
suddenly
lost.
The
cause
is
believed
to be
an
autoimmune
reaction,
in
which
the
body's
immune
defenses
mistakenly
attack
the
hair
follicles.
The
site
of
hair
loss
is
usually
the
scalp
or
beard.
Rarely,
all
body
hair
is
lost,
a
condition
called
alopecia
universalis.
Alopecia
areata
occurs
in
both
sexes
and
at
all
ages
but
is
most
common
in
children
and
young
adults.
Alopecia
areata
is
not
the
result
of
another
disease,
although
some
people
also
have
a
thyroid
disorder.
The
hair
usually
grows
back
in
several
months.
In
people
with
widespread
hair
loss,
regrowth
is
unlikely.
Click here
to read
about hair
restoration
procedures
If you
need more
information
or would
like to
schedule
and
appointment
for a
consultation,
please
click here
to contact
us or
call one
of our
offices
at:
(212) 285-1110
New York
(516)
512-7616
Long
Island |
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