The anthropology of hair loss - Medical Anthropology

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2003 by Tim Batchelder

Many of the herbs mentioned above are useful in lowering levels of testosterone in the scalp. And despite the common fear that lowered testosterone will somehow limit the "masculinity" of men in industrial cultures, the truth is exactly the opposite: men with the highest testosterone levels have lower incomes, lower social status, more unstable relationships, and more difficulty in life. Obtaining rewards in modern cultures requires patience, cunning, and interpersonal skills -- all marked by low, not high, testosterone levels. Further, lower testosterone levels in men helps to improve health status. Testosterone has often been suspected as a cause of the increased heart disease in men. Studies of men who were castrated in the 1920's in the USA found that they lived an average of 13.6 years longer than comparable men (Hamilton & Mesler 1969). Interestingly, castrated men were shown to never go bald as early as the time of Hippocrates.

Bodywork, Massage and Yoga

Numerous traditional forms of physical activity and bodywork are useful in the prevention and treatment of hair loss.

Arthritis or tightness of the neck and spine can tighten blood vessels in the head, reducing circulation and blood flow. Stress blocks circulation to the scalp due to muscle tension resulting in poor nutrition to the' hair follicle. Due to thinner scalp tissue men are more prone to baldness due to stress, than women.

Seborrhea of the scalp (overproduction of oil secretion) also causes hair loss. This form of dandruff forms greasy or crusty scales on the scalp in contrast to the common form which has dry flakes and is not related to hair loss. In both cases excess sebum combines with dead cell flakes from normal sloughing, clogging the follicle and inhibits the hair reproductive cycle. Dry hair accompanies this syndrome since oily flakes clogging the follicles prevent oil from traveling down the hair shaft. When sebum combines with excess scalp perspiration it can form hard, crystalline follicle plugs. This causes follicle congestion and tissue hardening which inhibits nutrient flow to the hair.

Body massage is an excellent way of relieving tension and tightness. Physical activity will also reduce stress and increase blood flow to the extremities including the head and scalp. Yoga is very useful. Brushing stimulates circulation and brings oils to the ends of shafts. It also removes dead cells.

Conventional Body Care Products

Overuse of antibacterial agents and other cleansers in America has resulted in the depletion of skin and hair oils and beneficial bacteria important for immunity and the integrity of the skin and hair. Excess shampooing drains hair of minerals and conventional shampoo contains formaldehyde (now disguised as quanternium 15) that damages hair. Coconut based cleansers are safer but SLS strips too much oil from the hair and leaves a residue that clogs follicles. When hair is "squeaky clean" it is overwashed. Anti-dandruff shampoos contain selenium sulfide which causes liver damage and PVP which is a carcinogen. Chlorinated water is also hard on the hair and can dry it excessively. Avoid using very hot water since this softens the scalp making it easier to pull hair from their roots. Final rinsing should be with cool to cold water which stimulates circulation and shrinks the outer layer of the hair making it smoother and makes hairs stiffer, stronger and locks them more into their roots. Wash your hair just once p er week if you can. I could easily write an entire paper on the risks of drug therapies for hair loss but I'll sum them all up in one word: don't. All these treatments offer the illusion of increased hair growth but are a Faustian bargain since they require ever-increasing doses to prevent tolerance and massive hair loss and come with a host of nasty side effects.