August 1, 2002

There's A Lot To Gain During Hair Loss Awareness Month

The American Academy Of Dermatology Launches Campaign To Help 80 Million Men And Women In U.S. Experiencing Hair Loss

NEW YORK, NY--(INTERNET WIRE)--Aug 1, 2002 -- The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) announced the launch of the second annual Hair Loss Awareness Month, a national education campaign developed to increase public awareness about hair loss, the importance of early detection, and available treatment options. The program aims to increase the dialogue between patients and dermatologists and identify effective hair loss treatments early.

"Many who are experiencing hereditary hair loss don't want to admit it, are afraid to talk openly about it and some even try to hide it," said dermatologist Zoe Draelos, M.D., clinical associate professor, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. "When many people confront hair loss and treat it early, treatment is more effective. It is important for patients to realize all there is to gain by addressing hair loss sooner rather than later."

Hereditary hair loss, the most common form of hair loss, affects nearly 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. To help further the Hair Loss Awareness Month campaign, the AAD has created a Hair Loss Advisory Group, a panel composed of dermatologists and other experts who want to help men and women manage hair loss.

About Hair Loss and Thinning

Hair loss and thinning occurs when a person loses more hairs than normal. Typically, people shed 60 to 100 hairs a day. When hair is thinning, the amount shed begins to slowly increase. Although it has been traditionally considered part of the male aging process, hair loss affects women too, although somewhat differently. Men typically develop "bald spots" and/or a receding hairline. Women generally experience diffuse thinning over the entire top of the head, which can be difficult to detect.

Hair loss is caused by age, hormones, and genes passed on from either the maternal or paternal side. Hereditary hair loss is marked by miniaturized hair follicles and a shortened hair growth cycle. When hair follicles become smaller, they produce thinner, shorter, lighter, and more brittle hair, which cannot adequately replace hairs that are shed naturally. As miniaturization progresses, it can lead to no further hair growth at all, resulting in baldness.

A Beauty Taboo

Confronting the stigma of hair loss poses considerable psychological and emotional challenges for both men and women. For every five men with hereditary hair loss, three women experience the same condition. Yet women's hair thinning remains a "taboo" subject for the media, the public and patients.

"Hair thinning is common among otherwise healthy women and can begin in women as early as their twenties," said Dr. Draelos. "Women need to better understand the various reasons why hair loss occurs and seek treatment options that are proven to work."

"Thinning hair and hair loss can have a profound effect on self-image and self-confidence, causing women to feel unattractive, embarrassed and helpless," said Ellen Rubin, Psy.D., clinical instructor of psychology at NYU School of Medicine. "It's important for anyone experiencing hair loss to remember that they're not alone, to confront their hair loss and take action to safely regain control of their appearance and self-esteem."

Treatment

While many products claim to regrow hair, topical minoxidil (2%) is the only hair regrowth therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hair loss and thinning hair in women. Topical minoxidil (2% and 5%) and oral finasteride tablets are the only therapies approved by the FDA for men. Hair transplants involve removing healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transplanting them to the bald areas.

Resources

As part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about hair loss, a section of the AAD's Web site, http://www.aad.org/, will be dedicated to Hair Loss Awareness Month. In addition, consumers can request information on hair loss and treatment options by calling AAD's toll-free number, 1-888-462-DERM.

About AAD

The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 14,000 dermatologists worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, contact the AAD at 1-888-462-DERM or http://www.aad.org/.

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