Hair Loss (Alopecia): Prevention

To prevent alopecia (hair loss), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors

• Diet
  • Malnutrition and malnutrition with accompanying micronutrient deficiency, see micronutrient therapy (vital substances) for details.
• Pleasure food consumption
  • Tobacco (smoking)
    • Smokers and ex-smokers were 80% more likely to suffer from alopecia androgenetica (androgen-induced hair loss) compared with nonsmokers of the same age; for heavy smokers who consumed more than 20 cigarettes per day, the risk was even increased by about 130%.
    • Smoking and obesity → increased risk of alopecia androgenetica.
• Drug use
  • Amphetamines (indirect sympathomimetic).
• Psycho-social situation
  • Stress – risk increase for diffuse hair loss.
• Overweight (BMI ≥ 25; obesity) + smoking → risk increase for alopecia androgenetica.

X-rays

• Radiatio (radiotherapy)

Environmental pollution – intoxications (poisonings).

• Air pollutants: particulate matter (PM10) and diesel exhaust (→ decrease in the concentration of the protein beta-catenin in hair follicles; beta-catenin is required for hair growth).

Prevention factors (protective factors)

• Genetic factors
  • Genetic risk depending on gene polymorphisms:
    • Genes/SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism):
      • Genes: LINC01432
      • SNP: rs1160312 in gene LINC01432
        • Allele constellation: GG (0.625-fold for alopecia androgenetica).
• Scalp cooling (“scalp cooling”) to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss; most common side effect is headache.