At the age of 17, hair loss can be quite a problem and social embarrassment that many teenagers have to contend with. What you are facing is a condition called alopecia; however, this is not something that you should normally have to face for at least a few more years. Male pattern baldness is also a form of alopecia called androgenic alopecia. This happens because of the high amounts of a sex hormone in the body called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is synthesized from testosterone that runs free in the blood. This DHT basically gives men their libido and counteracts the power of estrogen that is also created in the body. Alopecia can however also be a result of dandruff. Since you mentioned that you do have this problem and your scalp is oily, the treatment for your problem should address both possibilities.
dandruff is a problem that is usually caused by a fungus in the scalp called malessezia furfur. This is a fungus that is also responsible for the skin condition called tinea versicolor. In both of these cases, the problem lies in the skin’s oil secretions. The skin creates its own oil called sebum. Sebum is a solution that is rich in triglycerides, essential fatty acids, and wax monoesters, among other substances. This makes for an excellent food source for fungi. In the scalp, the presence of these fungi irritates the skin and cause the topmost layer of the scalp skin to slough off at a very rapid rate. What you see as white flakes are actually dead skin cells from the scalp. This is a known cause of hair loss and therefore, you need to use a shampoo that contains ketoconazole. You should shampoo at least once every three days to completely rid yourself of the problem.
The next part of tackling the issue is to start using some minoxidil in your hair. Since you are only 17, it doesn’t make any sense to prescribe medication that will block the DHT synthesis, as your body is still growing. The minoxidil will need to be used twice a day for the rest of your life to ensure effectiveness. The day you stop using it, the effects will reverse. The exact mode of action of minoxidil or why it works is not completely understood but it is one of the most effective treatments for hair loss that is available in the world today.
answered by M W