Medical practitioner Dr Jennifer Mamby Alexander is seeking to assure Jamaicans that the neglected issue of hair loss, which affects many persons across the country, can often be tackled with treatment and lifestyle changes.
Mamby Alexander, a cytopathologist, was speaking on day one of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP/MDS Limited two-day Continuing Education Seminar last Wednesday.
“Hair loss is an issue for many persons and sadly, because of fear, it has been neglected,” she said. “Androgenic alopecia is very progressive, and affects men and women alike. Typically, men go bald on the crown and at the temples, meanwhile women experience thinning on the crown, front and sides. The major contributor to hair loss, lichen planus, destroys hair follicles, replacing them with scarring causing permanent hair loss.”
Statistics published in Jamaica in 2023 by Histopathology on 338 biopsies indicate that linus planus (40%), cicatricial alopecia (21), folliculitis (10), liscoid Lupus (6.2), alopecia areata (5) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (5) are the most prevalent causes of hair loss in the country.
Listing the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and France as the leading countries in hair loss, Mamby Alexander stated that this can be attributed to the lifestyle in those countries. The constant smoking, the dependence on fast foods, not eating adequate fruits and vegetables, getting less vitamins and genetics, are a few of the causes she listed.
“Whilst persons in European countries can blame the cause of hair loss on their lifestyle and eating habits, women in the Caribbean are prone to hair loss by traction alopecia. This is the prolonged braiding and weaving of hair, glued-on extensions and lace fronts, and the constant wearing of tight buns and ponytails. Additionally, depending on its strength, the use of chemical relaxers in the hair can also result in hair loss. Lye and no-lye relaxers both cause the same damages to the hair. So, essentially, none is safer than the other,” Mamby Alexander said.
Medications
Importantly, there are a number of medications that contribute to alopecia. Medications that are used to combat high blood pressure, arthritis, blood clots, seizures, cancer and indigestion often aid in hair loss experienced by these patients.
Mamby Alexander said alopecia can occur in the months or even days after taking medication. Acne medication, anti-inflammatory aids such as naprosyn, indocin and methotrexate; antidepressants including zoloft, prozac, paxil and lithium; OCP Yasmin and blood thinners are just a few treatments that invoke hair loss.
Alopecia is treatable using a multisystem approach including light laser therapy. This works at the hair root level and does not penetrate the skull or brain, and patients are provided with protective goggles during the treatment. Best results of this treatment can be seen from nine months after treatment. However, during the first two months, shedding may occur as the new growth replaces the miniaturised hairs.
To prevent alopecia, Mamby Alexander advised that the hair must be kept clean at all times. Using essential oils, lessening the traction put on the hair by not wearing tight pulling hairdos, no gluing of hair and lashes to the skin and not using chemical relaxers and colouring on the same day, are all recommended preventative methods of alopecia.
“Having the courage to face problems like hair loss can transform your life in countless ways. When you are fearless, you are more confident, self assured and in control of your life. It is not an accident that, in the Hair Loss Clinic of Jamaica, our motto is ‘Restore your Hair, Restore your Confidence’,” concluded Mamby Alexander.
Over the years, the Continuing Education Seminar has gained recognition as the leading platform for Jamaican pharmacists, aiding in their professional development while providing networking opportunities.
Sponsored by the National Health Fund (NHF), this is the first pharmaceutical seminar to be endorsed by CAP, and was held virtually this year to facilitate the support of the wider Caribbean.
Under the theme ‘The Fearless Edition’, this year’s seminar challenged a number of fears that exist within the society, and featured presentations from Mamby Alexander, Dr Tyeesha Palmer Morgan, Dr Keisha Allen Dougan, Ann-Merita Golding, Dathan Henry and Dr Alfred Dawes.
In addition to hair loss, other topics discussed included skin bleaching, colorectal disorders, stuttering and phobias.
