Androgenic: a Word that Scares Women

QUESTIONS TO HÉLÈNE CLAUDERER
- What does 'androgenic' hair loss (or alopecia) mean?
- Is such a type of hair loss frequent for women?
- How do you classify women's androgenic hair losses?
- How do you establish those three categories?
- Does the intensity of the treatment vary according to the condition's intensity?
- What should be said to women who suffer from androgenic alopecia?

What does 'androgenic' hair loss (or alopecia) mean?

The hair lives under hormonal dependence. 'Androgenic' refers to scalps that are more sensitive than others to androgen hormones. Such a predisposition is genetic, i.e., it is innate. Androgen normally circulates in the blood, just like estrogen and progesterone, the feminine hormones. In the case of androgenic predisposition, its negative action takes place at the hair follicle level, and results in the thinning of the hair and an acceleration of its life cycle.

But the word 'androgenic' should not be scarry ! Nowdays, the condition is  well cured in most cases.

Is such a type of hair loss frequent for women?

Very. It is in fact the most frequent problem of hair density loss among our clients. That being said, the condition comes in various degrees of intensity.

How do you classify women's androgenic hair losses?

I would say that for at least 40% of women, the androgenic predisposition is weak and that it is possible to totally reverse it. For 35 to 40% of women, the condition is mild and the loss can be almost totally made up for by regrowing hair that is stronger than the hair lost. That means that close to 80% of women can regain normal or almost normal hair if they follow a treatment.

That leaves about 20% of women with a major predisposition. They often have a strong family history. For those women, continous local treatments are needed, along with, if both they and their physician agree, a hormonal anti-androgen treatment. For those women, continous local treatments are needed, along with, if both they and their physician agree, a hormonal anti-androgen treatment. In about 50% of cases, the inclusion of such a treatment brings positive results.

How do you establish those three categories?

Based on the roots and the calibre of the hair samples we receive. In our hair diagnosis, we use indicators to detect whether a hair follicle is still in progression or whether it is in recession.

We also use indicators to determine whether or not the incidence of stress is major. It is important to know that stress can strongly stimulate the action of androgens. Thus, some of our clients think they have a strong androgenic predisposition, whereas on a purely androgenic level,  we classify their predisposition as mild. It is mainly the intensity of their stress that causes the hair problem, not their predisposition. When that is the case, in order to optimise our local treatment, we determine with those women the best way of carrying it out so that they are better able to manage their nervous tension.

We notice the same situation with contraceptives (or HST)... Some women worry strongly about their androgenic state, whereas the contraceptive pill is partly responsible for it: it contains the molecules that have an intrinsic tendency to metabolise themselves and therefore to amplify the problem.

Does the intensity of the treatment vary according to the condition's intensity?

Yes, although not initially.

The treatment is initially provided over a period of 4 months. That is the time needed to balance back a scalp that is sensitive to androgen, no matter how intense the sensitivity is. The aim is to eliminate the toxins that stagnate around the roots and slow down their activity. Under the microscope, that symptom is actually one of the most common traits of androgenic alopecia, and is a true poison for the roots. In parallel, we feed the hair follicles with anti-androgen active vegetable ingredients, which consolidates  the forming hair and helps it stay better anchored in the hair follicle. 

After that initial phase, the frequence and intensity of the treatment will depend on the actual intensity of the androgenic condition.

It will, of course, be necessary to take into consideration the periods of the year when the androgens are the most active, i.e., at the beginning of autumn and spring. It will also be necessary to closely monitor the key moments of hormonal life: post-puberty, the first contraceptive pill, childbearing, pre-menopause, menopause... The treatments are especially needed during those periods.

What should be said to women who suffer from androgenic alopecia?

Never give up, and don't forget that treaments are made to enact the staggering or even inert hair follicles, for as long as they have not been so for more than a year. It is always possible to considerably improve the state of alopecic hair, even in the cases of strong predisposition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION :
Androgenic Hair Loss/Alolecia - Women
The Impact of Androgens Hormones on Hair Loss
Thinner and Fewer Regrowing Hair (with sketch). Vhat to Do?
Stress and Hair Loss
Contraception and Hair
Childbearing and Hair Loss
Premenopause, Menopause and Hair Loss
DAILY Hair Loss: What is the Norm?

TO TREAT ANDROGENETIC HAIR LOSS:
Hair Growth and Regrowing: Where Preciely to Act?
Anti-Hair Loss Clauderer Treatments
Hair Treatment FAQ
In-Depth Clauderer Hair Diagnosis

Diagnosis In-depth Clauderer Diagnosis: Have a complete hair checkup