An autoimmune condition that affects a person’s skin and hair follicles. A person with this condition develops hair loss on the scalp and face, as well as loss of body hair. Autoimmune disorders may be linked to thyroid problems, lupus and related autoimmune disorders.

A common form of hair loss both in men and women. It is a genetic condition where with men called male pattern baldness can begin the burden of hair loss as early as their teens and early 20s. Women with this condition called women pattern baldness, do not experience a noticeable thinning until their 40s¹.

Having a healthy lifestyle has many benefits in life where chances of developing diseases are less. On the other hand, having a poor lifestyle can give a huge impact and high chances of developing many illnesses including hair loss.

Obesity for one may contribute to hair loss². There is an imbalance of hormones when a person is obese which can lead to hair loss. Another lifestyle that can cause hair loss is diet. Having the right diet can lead to a healthy body however, a poor diet can lead to nutrient deficiency which may cause hair loss.

To prevent possible hair loss due to lifestyle:

Depending on what's causing the hair loss, it might manifest in a variety of ways. It might strike abruptly or slowly, and it might affect only your scalp or your entire body.

Finasteride is a prescription medication for male pattern baldness, according to the American Hair Loss Association. It is said to reduce active DHT levels in the body, preventing hair follicle miniaturization. Because of the complications, women should avoid taking oral finasteride. Other medications can be effective for the treatment of alopecia when applied directly to the scalp².

Finasteride reduces DHT levels in the scalp and blood, interrupting a crucial factor in the progression of androgenetic alopecia in genetically predisposed patients. Finasteride has little effect on cortisol, estradiol, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, or cholesterol levels in the blood³.

In the treatment of male pattern baldness, minoxidil solution and foam are used to promote hair development. It is not recommended for males with frontal baldness or a receding hairline. Women with thinning hair should use the foam and 2% minoxidil solution to promote hair development. Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which means it relaxes the blood vessels. It's unclear how minoxidil promotes hair formation⁴.

Topical minoxidil is likely effective in producing moderate hair growth in approximately 30% of men and 60% of women with common hereditary hair loss⁴. Lesser growth or a halt in the worsening of alopecia are also frequent outcomes. Due to its potency and adverse reactions, oral minoxidil is used mainly for patients with severe, drug-resistant forms of hypertension⁵.

Minoxidil was first introduced as an antihypertensive medication and the discovery of its common adverse event, hypertrichosis, led to the development of a topical formulation for promoting hair growth. To date, topical minoxidil is the mainstay treatment for androgenetic alopecia and is used as an off-label treatment for other hair loss conditions.

Minoxidil is a common medication prescribed for treating hair loss-related problems. It provides remarkable benefits to patients with hair disorders. To date, the FDA has approved minoxidil only for AGA⁶.

Use only as instructed by your doctor on other aspects of your body. Use only on red, painful, irritated, scraped, broken, or infected skin. By use, thoroughly wash your face. And sure, you don't have any of the medication in your eyes. If this happens, immediately clean your eyes with plenty of cold water.