OTHER FACTORS CAUSING HAIR GROWTH

New hair growth is caused by hormone stimulation combined with
increased levels of blood supply.

Causes of hair growth can be organized into four catergories:

1. Systematic causes

2. Congenital causes

3. Topical causes

4. Pathological disorders

SYSTEMATIC CAUSES

The endocrine system plays a very important role in hair growth. The
glands activity increases during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
Multiple cysts on the ovaries can distrupt hormone balances enough to
cause excess hair. Malfunction of the adrenal gland also causes
excessive hair growth. All changes and functions which occur within
the endocrine system are systematic.

CONGENITAL CAUSES

The general hair pattern of each individual is hereditary, therefore
ethnic origins must be taken into consideration. With the realisation
that genetic factors differ from culture to culture, all ethnic groups
have less or more hair than others. However, these genetic factors are
affected by topical causes, ie: plucking.

TOPICAL CAUSES

Hair receives nourishment from the blood. When the hair follicles are
irritated, ie: tweezed out, an increased supply of blood is suddenly
surged to the area. Increased blood supply also stimulates hair growth
resulting in the hair to grow back a little stronger in order to
protect the skin against fufcher irritation.

PATHOLOGICAL DISORDERS:

Changes which occur in tissues and body fluids due to diseases cause
hormonal imbalances.

CUSHINGS SYNDROME - (Caused by prolonged medications)

Glands are stimulated by various drugs, ie: the contraceptive pill,
therefore resulting in excessive amounts of hormones. Tumors in the
pituitary gland disrupt hormone balance.

ADRENOGENITAL SYNDROME

The adrenal cortex is unable to utilise chemial materials needed in the
breaking down of cortisones (hormone produced in the adrenal gland).
Androgens are produced instead resulting in females producing male
characteristics, ie: development of a beard or moustache, a deep voice
and genitalia tending to become masculine.

ACROMEGALY

A growth in the pituitary gland produces excessive facial hair.


THE EFFECTS OF INCREASED LEVELS OF ANDROGENS

Responses vary from inidvidual to individual. Some woman may not
respond to even the slightest increase of androgen levels while others,
with similar androgen levels, may suffer from darker of thicker hair
growth. Hair follicles that may have been lying dormant may become
active and produce hair.

An increase of androgens may also be responsible for active sebaceous
glands resulting in oily skin or acne, the thinning of scalp hair and
receeding hair lines may occur. Many woman find it incredibly
difficult to keep their weight levels down and may also suffer from
irregular periods.

DIAGNOSIS

Hirsutism is usually decided by the patient whether or not hair growth
is excessive. For example, a woman with a few stray hairs on her chin
may be in a very distressed state whereas another woman may have a
moustache and not be concerned at all. The doctor decides whether the
patient is right or wrong.

From a medical point of view, hirsutism is diagnosed by clinical
scoring. For example,excessive hair growth can effect nine sexually
sensitive areas. Each area is marked on a scale of zero to four (four
representing heavy hair growth). A score higher than eight determines
hirsutism. However this method does not consider the distress felt by
some women who rate low on the scale.

Hirsutism may also be investigated by obtaining a blood test which
measures the levels of testosterone in the body. If testosterone
levels are normal than it is unlikely that hair growth will develop.
If the results show an increase in testosterone levels, an ultrasound
scan of the ovaries will be required. This scan allows the doctor to
visualize the abdomen internally.

If excessive hair growth has appeared recently, testosterone levels are
extremely high and genital changes have occurred, a catheter study will
be required. A catheter is a fine plastic tube which is inserted into
a vein in the groin. Hormonal levels from the ovaries and adrenal
glands are measured from blood samples. Blood samples are taken and
adrenal glands are measured. This procedure shows up a any signs of
a tumour as this abnormal growth effects hormonal levels.


Understanding the growth cycle of hair and the functions of the
endocrine system determines which methods of hair removal are
appropriate in delaying hair growth.

If the patient has no serious hormonal abnormality and hirsutism is
only mild, there may not be a need for treatment. Local methods such
as shaving, waxing or electrolysis maybe considered. However, the only
permanent method of hair removal is using that of an electric current.
The galvanic method uses a direct current in conjunction with saline
solution, (salt plus water combined) to destroy the hair follicle.

The elements of the saline solution change entirely to new substances
when direct current is applied to saline. The new substances, hydrogen
gas, chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide are referred to as lye. Lye is
highly caustic and will have a destructive action on the hair when the
needle is inserted into the tissue.

The client holds a bar which is connected to the positive side of the
galvanic equipment. The bar needs to be covered with absorbent
material which has been soaked in saline in order for the direct
current to flow and to achieve an electrical circuit in the body. The
operator holding the needle, is connected to the negative side of the
galvanic equipment. The needle is then inserted into the hair follicle
with the curent turned up to two milliamps. The needle is inserted in
the follicle for approximately 30 to 90 seconds. The stronger the hair,
the longer the insertion. Although painful and slow, this.method is
very effective.

The Diathermy method is the most commonly used form of electrical hair
removal treatment. The needle is inserted underneath the hair follicle
and a high frequency current of 27.12 magahertz (MHz) is realeased by
the pushing of a button on the probe or a foot pedal. The root of the
hair is effectively burned by heat which is caused by the current
passed through the needle.