Your immune system and hair loss

But what happens if your own immune system could not recognise good cells from viruses or bacteria, and decides to auto-destroy everything even when there’s no imminent threat? What is its effect to your integuments, especially the hair? When coming to hair loss, the immune system plays a major role in some types of hair loss, such as, alopecia areata, the group of cicatricial alopecia, as well as scaly scalp conditions like psoriasis.

The main gland that acts as the immune system’s commander- in-chief is the thymus gland. Its main responsibility is to stimulate production and maturation of T-cells, which is an active defence member of the white blood cells against infections.

The thymus gland is most active during childhood years and starts to shrink into a fatty tissue when you hit puberty. Nonetheless, the integrity of your internal defence system would reach its optimum before it starts to shrink.

Your thymus gland will remain functional only until the average age of 75.

Studies have shown that the deterioration in the size of thymus glands helps in the development of some auto- immune diseases.

Imagine a group of soldiers becoming more and more confused because there is no team leader to guide them.

So too is your body when it is triggered for auto-immune responses, your defences will perceive normal cell as a pathogen, including your healthy hair follicles.

Your immune system can identify your hair follicles as foreign proteins which need to be eliminated.

Now, this is where you may start noticing your hair is growing thinner and your scalp is becoming more visible.

In reference to prior studies showing the relationship of thymus glands to hair loss, specialists are claiming that a thymus extract applied topically on balding areas has significantly shown improved hair growth. The thymus extract will act as your hair follicle’s physical barrier that protects it from harmful chemical irritants like the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and other agents.

However, these thymus components are said to be extracted from cows and some from the thyme plant. Thyme is a herb, and is sometimes used in combination with other herbs. Considering this, I still recommend that you always check with your doctor or trichologist before trying these synthetics or herbal preparations, especially when these products are currently a market rave among people who are looking for fast solutions to hair loss.

While more research must be undertaken to prove that thymus extracts are medically therapeutic, there are many ways to help improve your immune system.

Healthy diet, regular exercise, proper hydration and hygiene –are just four of the many ways you can keep your body healthy and these are things that you can perform at your own pace. Remember, your immune system is your body’s “999 or 911”. In order for it to function at its best, you should maintain a healthy living and you can always check if you are doing the right thing by looking at the quality of your hair and scalp.

Germaine Williams Beckles is a doctor of trichology (DT T?CT), nutrition consultant (NC) and motivational speaker, Rayogee Wellness Lifestyle Woodbrook627-4659, germainewilliamsbeckles.

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