In the 3rd part of the series on hereditary hair loss in women, Trichologist Dr Shahid Shamsher talks about how baldness is often missed out in early stages.

What makes one miss out on baldness?

In male baldness, it’s not always the case that you shed a lot of hair. In many patients, it’s never the hair fall that is the problem. The problem is that it thins out progressively. In medical terms this is known as miniaturization and often cannot be detected with the naked eye. Miniaturization is a process by which a healthy hair is replaced by thinner and thinner hair, thus leading a situation where a scalp becomes more and more visible. However in the early stages that is not easily made out, which is why there is plenty of confusion in the patients mind as to whether she is losing hair or not, or whether she is just over-reacting. And then by the time you are very sure, you may have already lost quite a bit of hair.

Then how can one be sure early on?

Look for whether you can find the causes of baldness in your medical history. As I have said earlier genetics and hormonal disorders are the main factors here. So if either your father or mother is showing thinning on the top of the head and/ or you have irregular periods, chances are that you could develop this condition as well. Sadly however this is also not fool-proof. Often hereditary in women is non-linear genetics as compared to the more easily understood linear genetics. In non-linear genetics, baldness need not be present in every successive generation. It can instead come in every 2nd or even 3rd generation, so that you may find that some grand aunt or uncle had the same condition that you are having now, whereas your brothers and sisters are all fine. Genetics is often just luck of the draw. In such cases clinically detecting the miniaturization early on helps. Those are microscopic changes and when present in more than normal extent in the scalp will help to diagnose the condition before it’s evident to the whole world.

Dr Shahid Shamsher is a leading Trichologist certified from UK, Australia & India. Practicing since 27 years in the field of Trichology, even today he consults every patient personally himself rather than leave it to assistants. He can be reached on 080 42067474 / 75.

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Dr. Shahid Shamsher is one of India’s first certified Trichologist practicing in the field of Trichology for 27 years and is recognized as one of the Best Hair Doctor in Bangalore. He is the only Trichologist in India to be simultaneously certified from the U.K, Australia, and India.

Website | + posts

Dr. Shahid Shamsher is one of India’s first certified Trichologist practicing in the field of Trichology for 27 years and is recognized as one of the Best Hair Doctor in Bangalore. He is the only Trichologist in India to be simultaneously certified from the U.K, Australia, and India.