Hereditary hair loss or androgenetic alopecia - a condition characterized by symptoms of hair loss and thinning, whose roots should be sought in the history of his family. If your hair is thinning or baldness occurs for no apparent reason, it may be the case of androgenic alopecia. Early diagnosis can help in dealing with this disorder.

This type of baldness can affect men or women at any age. In men, the hereditary hair loss often leads to complete baldness. In women, hair thinning occurs, but the line of hair growth remains unchanged. This condition can cause a lot of negative emotions Emotions and culture: how to decipher the emotional code   because of the effect that these have on the symptoms of self-esteem.

Causes of hair loss

The reasons for this type of alopecia include mainly genetic factors.

• Sensitivity to DHT. The main reason is the sensitivity to the by-product of testosterone Five myths about testosterone It called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. It causes hair follicles to shrink. In the case of androgenetic (hereditary) alopecia hair follicles have a shorter service life and is likely to stop the production of healthy-looking hair. Hair loss caused by sensitivity to DHT causes hair thinning and loss at the top of the head.
• Genetics. The sensitivity to DHT - a hereditary disease. Genes are inherited from the mother or father of the family to play a role in its development.
• Hormonal imbalance. Women inherited disorder in hormone levels, such as DHT, can also lead to hair loss. Most women with androgenetic alopecia thinning hair all over the scalp, unlike male pattern baldness. The presence of ovarian cysts, birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause are also factors that can disrupt the production of hormones and the development of the hereditary baldness in women.
• Concomitant diseases. Studies show that men with hereditary hair loss have an increased risk of coronary heart disease and prostate enlargement. Women with androgenetic alopecia have an increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal problems, which is accompanied by weight gain and menstrual irregularities.

Common symptoms of hereditary baldness

In women, the most common symptom is a accelerated hair loss. Men often found combination bald patches and alopecia on the crown of the head.

Signs and symptoms of hereditary hair loss may occur as early as adolescence. In women, it rarely leads to complete baldness. However, this condition in men almost always results in the complete loss of hair.

Diagnosis of hereditary baldness

It is necessary to make certain tests to rule out any other causes of baldness, such as a thyroid condition. This will make the correct diagnosis.

General examination for the diagnosis of genetic hair loss includes examination and medical history, lamp black light (Wood's lamp) and the scraping of the skin of the head, if necessary - a biopsy, if there are lesions, and finally, check the function of the thyroid gland.

Checking the function of the thyroid gland The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones   It may be necessary if there is suspicion of a violation of her. The imbalance of thyroid hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects Necessary for hair growth can lead to hereditary baldness.

There are a number of diseases that may aggravate the hereditary hair loss. Due to the rapid onset of the disease, it can mimic other conditions that must be excluded in order to avoid misdiagnosis.

Treatment

After he was diagnosed, the treatment chosen direction. The effect of the treatment should begin to appear in the first three to fifteen weeks, and thicker hair to be expected at the end of the first year of treatment.

Conventional therapy is the use of minoxidil. For men, there is a drug called finasteride, which is taken in pill form. Treatment for baldness due to hereditary reasons prescribed by the physician. You can also consider the option of hair transplantation. In this case, it is necessary to look for an experienced surgeon who carried out the transplant of hair from areas where hair is preserved, to the area of ​​hair loss. This is a surgical procedure, and it should be discussed with your doctor.

Hair loss is experienced by millions of people around the world. With proper diagnosis and treatment can hope to succeed.

With regard to natural makeup, which is made from natural minerals, there are a variety of opinions. Someone like that it forms a smooth, imperceptible layer - like a second skin and is well tolerated even by very hot weather. Someone thinks that with its help it is difficult to make a good makeup - she is going in the folds of the skin and pores, and if the skin is dry, quickly leads to ugly flaky surface. In addition, women with dark skin can be difficult to find a mineral makeup suitable color.

However, disputes over natural makeup extend beyond the discussion of aesthetic aspects; much more important issues are its benefits (or harm) for skin health and safety. Producers of natural makeup argue that it improves the skin and is perfectly safe, while opponents say that very small particles of minerals are a danger to the health of the skin and some of the ingredients can also be harmful.

No matter what supporters of different points of view, however, is certain: women now use a natural make-up more often than ever. Only in the US natural cosmetics is already 6% of the total sold in the country's makeup.

Mineral Makeup: Illusions and Reality

Bare Escentuals Company gave a start to what is sometimes called the "mineral revolution", when in the 1970s began to sell loose mineral powder. Soon followed suit rivals - all of them in their advertising campaigns have focused on the fact that mineral cosmetics made from ground natural minerals, is more "natural" than traditional cosmetics.

However, experts, including chemists involved in the creation of cosmetics, do not see there is nothing revolutionary. According to some, the buzz around mineral makeup - just a marketing ploy. Any decorative cosmetics is a mineral, since it contains minerals - titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica and iron oxides. Contrary to what the advertising says, the ingredients of so-called natural cosmetics are not just dug out of the ground, cleaned, milled and placed in the package. Zinc oxide, for example, does not exist in nature in pure form - it is synthesized in the laboratory. Titanium dioxide, a common ingredient in another, also undergoes special treatment because it is not naturally located in such a pure form that it can be directly used in the production of cosmetics. He is pre-purification of the compounds of substances such as mercury and lead.

What is not in mineral makeup

Natural make-up differs from traditional is not something that is in its composition and what is not there. The list of what is not natural cosmetics include: preservatives, parabens, mineral oil, chemical dyes and fragrances. All of these can cause skin irritation, and it is - one of the reasons why many dermatologists recommend the use of mineral makeup.

Natural cosmetics rarely causes negative reaction of sensitive skin Sensitive skin: causes and care And because it does not contain an oil, it can be used by persons with skin problems. Experts also recommend a natural make-up for women who suffer from rosacea Rosacea - undetermined   and eczema Eczema - is difficult to treat .

Skin care

Mineral makeup does not replace a moisturizing cream, ointment for the treatment of acne or anti-aging serum, but it is, nevertheless, effective skin care.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to block the sun's rays, so if you apply an even layer of mineral makeup, they will protect you from ultraviolet radiation. Such protection is sufficient in those days when you do not spend a lot of time outdoors. If you are going to spend a few hours on the beach in sunny weather, need more powerful sunscreen.

In addition, zinc oxide has anti-inflammatory properties (by the way, which is why it is a part of baby powder). Since natural cosmetics contain zinc oxide much more than usual, it may be particularly useful for skin prone to irritation.

Possible risks

Participants of the debate about natural make-up have a tendency to exaggerate not only the benefits but also the associated potential hazards. So, it voiced the opinion that the microscopic particles (they were called nanoparticles) mineral makeup can be absorbed for the skin barrier and cause potentially fatal reactions. Experts say that such fears are unfounded. If the particles were actually the size of nanoparticles in make-up they would be completely useless. Such particles would be completely transparent and not be able to perform the basic functions of decorative cosmetics.

Various sources of information recommended for women to carefully read the labels of mineral makeup For whom is suitable mineral makeup and how to use it   and to avoid products containing bismuth oxychloride. This ingredient gives the skin a light pearlescent, but also causes irritation and aggravate acne. Some companies are already excluded from the bismuth oxychloride their cosmetics. In fact, in only a very small percentage of people have a heightened sensitivity to this substance. For most women, bismuth oxychloride is completely safe.