Since ancient times, people with beautiful, well-groomed hair have been considered particularly attractive. The largest book on the healing arts of ancient Egypt already describes various ways of treating hair loss, including that of the royal mother. Full hair is seen as a sign of vitality, joy of life and strength, and its constant growth has made it a symbol of life itself. The symbolic power of hair was demonstrated particularly clearly by wigs. When the French King Louis XIV’s hair began to thin, he introduced the use of wigs, which often took on unusual shapes and sizes. But the wig not only served as jewelry, but also protected against the cold.

Today, hair has a completely different, but no less important, function for us. It is a jewel, an expression of fashion consciousness and individual style. It shapes our appearance and can play a significant role in determining our personal and professional success. Consequently, there is great despair over every strand of hair that remains on the pillow.

A simple hair loss test can provide initial information about whether someone is suffering from increased hair loss.

Three steps are sufficient:

Hair should be washed one day before the test begins.

A drain strainer must be inserted into the drain prior to testing.
The hair is then washed in the sink.
The hairs in the sieve are then counted.

If more than 100 hairs are lost during washing, it may be hair loss. It is important to see a doctor early so that treatment can be started.

The pattern of hair loss in women is different from that of men, where baldness develops at an advanced stage. In women, on the other hand, the intermediate area widens and in some cases, the thin areas become increasingly larger, even if complete baldness does not occur.

Experts estimate that around 80% of all hair loss in women is hereditary. This form of hair loss cannot yet be prevented, but it can be combated. For some time now, a drug treatment solution has been available for those affected.

Hair grows at a rate of about 0.35 millimeters per day. This equates to about one centimeter per month and twelve centimeters per year. The speed of growth depends on age: during puberty, hair grows at a rate of 0.41 millimeters per day, and at an older age it only grows at a rate of 0.32 millimeters per day. With 80,000 hairs, a total of 25 to 30 meters of hair grows every day, which results in about 800 meters of new hair per month. Depending on the individual hair growth cycle, a person’s hair length can be a maximum of 70 to 90 centimeters. Hair growth is divided into three phases:

the growth phase, the transition phase and the resting phase. The duration of the individual phases can vary from person to person and can last for years.

In order to achieve the most positive effect possible, women with hereditary hair loss should start drug therapy as early as possible. A treating doctor will clarify all personal questions of those affected. Going to the doctor at the right time not only prevents further hair loss, but above all also reduces the associated psychological stress and thus contributes significantly to an improvement in the quality of life.

The causes of hereditary hair loss have not yet been fully investigated. Scientific research has shown that the genes responsible for hair loss can be inherited from one or both parents. The result is that the hair cycle becomes faster and faster, and during a shorter growth phase, increasingly fine hair is formed, and later only fine, fluffy hair and finally no hair at all. This process can be stopped with modern therapy: with new prescription drugs, it is possible to expand the existing blood vessels, which improves the supply of nutrients to the hair cells and can thus counteract the growth disorder.