Baldness info

• Classification of baldness.
• Causes.
• Hereditary inclination.
• Why fatheadedness is a preventive of baldness.
• Probability of cure.
• Treatment.
• Electric light and violet ray.
• Vibration.
• Pulling the hair.
• "Wiggling" the scalp.

There are three different kinds or classes of baldness : premature baldness, baldness due to disease or lack of proper care; and the baldness of old age.

For the first two varieties there is much to be done. The last is usually permanent.

Premature baldness begins any time before middle age, and does not seem to be influenced by either local disorders or general conditions of health. In point of fact, some of the most powerful athletes in the world—men who have never known a sick day in their lives—may be prematurely bald.

In many cases this condition is hereditary—fathers and sons of many generations losing their hair early in life.

It is quite common among those leading sedentary lives, especially with brain workers, possibly because of the fact that the nerves supplying the scalp are directly connected with those supplying the covering of the brain. Therefore an irritable condition of the brain, due to congestion, might well interfere with the normal nutrition of the hair. Lack of care and insufficient attention to cleanliness and hygiene of the scalp is a frequent cause.

Great depression of spirits, worry or mental anxiety are also frequent causes of premature baldness. In the following paragraphs are discussed various conditions causing or inducing loss of hair, and the methods by which baldness may be combated. Faithful treatment is essential to success.

Why women are less subject to baldness than men

There are more bald-headed men than there are bald-headed women. There are many reasons for this, but the chief reason is that women do not wear their hats so close-fitting as do men, so as to interfere with the circulation of the blood in the scalp, and in the follicles nourishing the roots of the hair.

The hats of women are usually not so air-proof as are those of men, so that the surface of the scalp is very much better 'ventilated and perspiration does not get a chance to dry out and combine with the dead matter thrown out by the scalp, to form scales.

Women give more attention to brushing and combing the hair than men do. Also, women are not so abundantly covered with hair as men are, therefore they do not need to furnish so much hair-forming material. And last, but most important, women have more subcutaneous fat than men have, and thus their hair is preserved longer. You will remember I pointed out that upon the depth of the layer of tissue between the scalp and the tables of the skull depends the nutrition of the hair follicle.

Therefore, any treatment which would have a beneficial effect in retarding or preventing the development of baldness must stimulate the increased growth of tissue at the roots of the hair.

Inflammatory and parasitic disorders

All diseases in which there is much fever have a tendency to burn up tissue. All local inflammations likewise consume tissue, and all irritations produced by parasites tend to dissipate it.

From this it will be seen how important it is that where any contagious or parasitic disorder exists, the condition must be corrected by appropriate local and general measures. Among the local measures may be mentioned the use of the antiseptic lotions, pomades, shampoos, and washes

Uric acid as a cause for baldness

An excess of uric acid in the system often causes drying and brittleness of the hair, which leads to baldness. Indeed, it is quite possible that the uric acid may be exuded upon the scalp, escaping from the body along the lines of least resistance, eating up the tissue layer and killing off the hair in its exit. I have seen great benefits from the milk diet treatment in this condition. For an exclusive diet of milk and fruit tends to overcome the formation of uric acid, flushes out the kidneys, washes the poisons from the blood, and brings about a better general state of health.

Those predisposed to baldness should commence from very earliest years to prevent the fall of hair. Parents who are losing their hair should instruct their children in the proper care of their scalps. As I have frequently said, it is necessary to maintain the fullest vigor of the body if the vigor of the hair is to be maintained. Life in the open air, proper eating of the right kind of food—always thoroughly masticated—sleeping with the windows open, winter and summer, and an active, energetic life, will sometimes work wonders. Any digestive disorder should be invariably corrected, and all constipation should be overcome.

To massage the scalp once a week, as is usually done, is not enough. Quicker results may be gained if the individual will massage his own scalp five or ten minutes every day combining this liberally with the pulling process. The best way to apply massage is to use the finger tips with a rotary motion. Then place both palms flat on the scalp so that the finger tips are about one inch apart, and push the hands towards each other, so that the fold of the scalp is pushed up between the finger tips. This should be repeated thoroughly over every part of the scalp, and will bring about a sensation of warmth and stimulate a feeling of comfort.

Vigorous brushing with a long bristle brush for a few minutes every morning and evening is an easy and effective way of bringing an increased amount of blood and nutrient matter to the scalp. Wire brushes should never be used for this purpose as they are likely to irritate the scalp and make the condition much worse.

Electricity and mechanical vibration

I have heard of excellent results being obtained from the use of the violet ray and other forms of electricity, as well as mechanical vibration, applied to the scalp.

These means are all calculated to produce a better circulation of blood in the areas underlying the scalp, and thereby promote increased nutrition at the roots of the hair.

Baldness in the aged

I mention senile baldness last on this page, as there is little or nothing to say about it. This form of baldness is merely an expression of the general lowering in nutrition, lack of regenerating power, and he tendency to atrophic change that at-ends advancing years.

In this form of baldness the hair follicles shrink in size and gradually become atrophied ; the little capillaries which nourish the follicles contract, and are finally obliterated. This cuts off all nutrition, and baldness develops, which is permanent.

If, however, the general health can be maintained at a high degree of efficiency, his form of baldness can often be put off to the very end of life.