Facts About Baldness

Whether you're young or old, man or woman, losing your hair is not something that many people wish to experience. When we notice things getting thin on top, we'll go to almost any lengths to restore our locks, from comb-overs to hair plugs. As obsessed as we tend to be with our hair, or lack thereof, what do we really know about baldness? And does this knowledge give us any clues toward keeping or reclaiming our manes? Here are ten facts about hair loss that you may or may not have known, but which shed some light on the nature of baldness.

1) The generally-accepted cause of male pattern baldness is the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT damages a hair follicle's ability to grow hair.

2) Rapid hair loss which is severe enough to cause hairy pillows and clogged drains can be the symptom of some sort of illness beyond typical male pattern baldness, which tends to develop more slowly. Such rapidity should be treated to a visit to your doctor.

3) Hair loss can sometimes be caused by seborrhea, lichen planus, ringworm, or other infections. Symptoms, aside from impending baldness, include itchy skin, perhaps accompanied by red patches.

4) In cases of acute baldness caused by disease or disease treatment (chemotherapy, for example), correction of the underlying problem generally halts hair loss and often allows it to reverse.

5) Dirty or oily skin, the use of hair products, and any other condition that causes the pores to clog can cause hair loss.

6) Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition, and, contrary to the name, can also affect women. Because male pattern baldness is powered my testosterone, though, women are far less susceptible than men.

7) Rogaine (Minoxidil) can help slow or reverse hair loss, but its use carries health risks, and its effects only last as long as it is being used actively. Stop taking it, and the baldness regains its stake.

8) Propecia (Finasteride) can significantly slow down hair loss by blocking the actions of DHT. Interestingly, Propecia has also become a favorite among male steroid users to help avoid the development of gynecomastia (excess breast tissue).

9) Several surgical options exist to help those who have lost or are losing their hair. Some of the early procedures were fairly barbaric, including scalp reduction and the implantation of large, painful plugs. Today, Follicular Unit Grafting is very popular and leaves the patient with much more realistic hair enhancement.

10) Many doctors recommend counseling as the surest form of therapy for patients who are losing their hair. The overhead of continually monitoring hair loss and cover-up attempts can become nearly debilitating. In recent years, completely shaven heads have become acceptable and even admired, giving men another viable option for coping with hair loss.

Regardless of your life situation, coping with hair loss is a daunting task. Take the time to learn as much as you can about your condition and then take action to make sure that you are comfortable with yourself. There are several resources on the web that can be helpful in this quest, and a few of them are listed at the end of this piece. Happy reading.