DUPA nad DPA

Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) is a condition where the hair has miniaturization (over 30%) throughout the scalp without a particular pattern to it. It is a relatively stable condition that may appear at any age. Senile alopecia in old age has similar features. DUPA in women with pattern hair loss is relatively common esp. in post menopausal cases. DUPA is believed to be, genetic and hormonal. In 50 % case it responds to Finasteride 1mg by 12 months; in slowing down its progress and in about half of male patients it get better by reversal with Finasteride. Half of patients have no effect of the medications. Using minoxidil would require a massive application to the entire scalp, it is worth trying. I also prescribe some nutrients like vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Cosmetic products like Dermmatch or Toppik alone or in combination are very useful for both DUPA and DPA and they are safe to use for regular use. The significance of this condition is that Hair Transplant in this condition may not be very satisfactory and therefore are often refused.

There is another condition called Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) is an androgenetic alopecia characterized by diffuse thinning in the front, top, and vertex of the scalp in conjunction with a stable permanent zone in male ( one can compare it with female pattern hair loss). Usual pattern loss in male is by beginning of loss in frontal or crown area and but in DPA the hair loss starts in the front, mid scalp and crown altogether. Diffuse Patterned Alopecia is usually associated with the persistence of the frontal hairline the hairline of the Norwood II or III type hair loss.

MSM (Methyl-sulfonyl-methane),

The herbal/nutritional supplements such as: MSM (Methyl-sulfonyl-methane), beta-sitosterol, pygeum, nettles sting root, green tea, biotin and fish oil (Omega-3)brewer’s yeast, wheat germ oil are popular products esp. on internet. The web site www.msm.com, states that MSM is found in milk, coffee, tea, vegetables, etc. It is sold as capsules, tablets, powders, as well as topical preparations. to help with pain, inflammation, increase blood flow, soften scar tissue and reduce muscle spasms, arthritis and also hair loss. The website suggests doses of 1,000 mg taken by mouth, three times a day with meals.The safety standard of such a high dose is not animal or human tested under FDA standards and they can be damaging your body in long run and even if it may not hurt you, but I doubt it will really help you correct this genetic condition. Due to its lack of credible data about effectiveness and safety I would not recommend this to you for hair loss. To my knowledge it is not available in Ahmedabad or Baroda in medical stores.

SODIUM VALPROATE AND HAIR LOSS

The excess hair fall and even hair loss may be noticed as a shock ( telogen effluvium) following her head injury. But 12 -28% patients who take sodium valproate experience increase hair fall in few weeks that follow and this hairs usually come back in few months after the medication is stopped. Minoxidil local appliction and the vitamine and minerals may help early recovery.

HAIR CUT AND TRANSPLANT

Having your hair long enough (more than an inch) will help to cover your donor stitch whereas having your hair cut before the transplant help to keep the operated area clean easily. Now that you had transplant it is best to wait for about 2 -3 weeks before the hair cut i.e. after your wounds heal completely. Although the remaining native hairs will start growing from the next day of hair cut but the grafted hair would not start growing before 3-4 months.

HAIR ANALYSIS

Very interesting question. The Hair analysis is the chemical analysis to measure mineral content etc. of a hair sample usually taken from the back of the neck.. Hair may be considered for retrospective purposes when blood and urine are no longer expected to contain a particular contaminant, typically for a year or less. Its most most widely accepted use in Forensic and environmental Toxicology e.g. detection of Alcohol or drug abuse or for monitoring of these patients treatment. But Hair analysis is worthless for assessing the body's nutritional status or serving as an aid for dietary or supplement recommendations. Some practitioners use this to diagnose wide variety of conditions or even predisposition to certain diseases and not just hair loss.This is on the basis of mineral deficiency heavy metal pollutants, mineral imbalance in the hair. Well the fundamental flaws in Hair Analysis are mineral content can be affected by shampoo, dye bleach etc.; the concentration of minerals do not correlate with that of the hair & it can be affected by the color, diameter and rate of growth of an individual's hair, the season of the year, the geographic location, and the age and gender of the individual. Following link is worth checking: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/hair.html For majority of hair conditions diagnosis is reached by History, clinical examination and by using dermascopy.

NIGHT SHIFT & HAIR LOSS

There is no scientific connection to the hard work or night shift and the pattern hair loss(MPB) ; although sometimes excess mental tension has resulted in the early initiation of pattern hair Loss.

Stress and Hair loss

Both psychological and physical stress, especially if they are intense and prolonged, can contribute to temporary hair loss. They do this by perhaps altering the hair cycle: shortening the growing stage or lengthening the resting stage. Stress may also have a negative impact on the immune system leading to a more severe type of hair loss called alopecia areata. When the stressful situation is over or the body adjusts to it, the hair usually grows back. Having said that it is also noticed that Stress often initiate the Male Pattern hair loss at an early age.