Hair Loss - Causes and Treatments

One of the most common problems that affect people all around the world is hair loss. Hair loss affects both men and women, though it is generally more common in men. The onset of hair loss can have a debilitating effect on one’s sense of self-image and oftentimes hair loss will coincide with a loss in self-confidence. In order to get the best kind of treatment for hair loss, it is important to separate the myths from the truth and understand the various kinds of hair loss.

Hair loss has been found to be generally more prevalent among males though hair loss in females in not uncommon. The most common form of hair loss is known as androgenic alopecia, which consists of a gradual thinning of the hair, which eventually leads to hair loss. The most extreme form is alopecia universalis where there is total hair loss all over the body. Hair loss is a natural side effect of old age but some men can experience hair loss as early on as during the onset of puberty.

The causes of hair loss are also varied. A popular belief states that hair loss is inherited through the maternal side but the chances of inheriting this trait are 50%. Myths relating to hair loss have been found to range from wearing hats that are too tight to standing on one’s head for too long- these however are myths and nothing more. The actual causes for hair loss are varied- exposure to chemicals; poisons and treatments such as chemotherapy are known to lead to hair loss. Another factor is undue stress, emotional or otherwise, trauma and depression. Certain illnesses also induce hair loss as a symptom. Tumors and various kinds of outgrowths of the skin have also resulted in hair loss. Another very important cause is an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. It has been proven that a sedentary way of life coupled with a diet that is high in fat and calorie intake more often than not results in early hair loss.

Perhaps due to the fact that hair loss is such a common problem, there are a number of remedies that have been on the market for years that help in dealing with hair loss. There is also much research being done using stem cell research and cloning in order to induce hair multiplication. This however it still in its testing stages but does prove that many advancements are being made today in the field of treating hair loss.

The best way to treat the threat of hair loss is to take care of your hair while it is healthy. This includes a proper diet that is low in fatty intake and an exercise regiment that focuses on vigorous aerobic activity on a daily basis. It is also important to clean and nourish the scalp and hair on a regular basis. However some people may require more direct methods to deal with hair loss. There are a number of products available on the market today but before trying any of these out, it is important to know how one should approach any hair loss treatment.

Before embarking on any hair loss treatment, it is important to remember that even if a treatment is successful, it may be some time before any visible results can be seen. In order to minimize the number of mistakes that could affect a successful hair treatment and ensure its success, it is helpful to remember the three principles of hair treatment, otherwise known as the 3 Ps. The first is Proven Treatments- there are a number of questionable hair treatment products available that could have adverse effects.

Always use treatments that are approved and proven to show results. The second is Pictures- take pictures at various stages of the hair treatment in order to gain a better idea of whether the treatment is working and how it is working. The last P is perhaps the most important one and that is Patience. No hair treatment will give any results over night- it can take up to six months for the treatment to start working and almost two years before best results can be seen. It is important to understand that hair growth occurs in cycles and this in turn will affect the time in which a hair treatment will start to show results.

Among the proven and popular forms of hair loss treatment is Minoxidil, also known on the market as Rogaine. Though this has proven to be effective, the hair usually only grows at the top of the head and is thin and light. Another popular hair treatment is Finasteride, otherwise known as Propecia. This also promotes hair growth primarily in the crown area but is not recommended for women who are pregnant or are potentially pregnant.

A number of other methods of hair treatments involve the application of Copper Peptides and Antiandrogens and herbal treatments such as Saw Palmetto. Hair transplants and scalp reductions are some other measures for treating hair loss though they are considerably more expensive and considered more extreme. In the future, hair loss will be able to be treated more effectively than ever using methods like Hair Multiplication, which consists of multiplying existing hair follicles and injecting them into the scalp. This exciting new treatment will induce the growth of healthy hair and is expected to hit the markets on a few years.

Hair loss is not something to be feared- as long as we understand what causes hair loss we can take steps in order to not only stop hair loss but also to induce the growth of new hair. With the right treatments and a little patience, hair loss can quickly become a thing of the past.

The Right Shampoos For Hair Loss Treatment

Did you know that nearly 30 million people around the world suffer from hair loss? That's why this is considered to be a billion dollar industry because both men and women feel social embarrassment. Even though thousands of hair loss products are available on the market, hair loss shampoo is the widely used product.

Hair loss is very often heritable. It may also occur due to aging or hormonal imbalance. Since hair loss is heritable, it may be from your father's side or mother's side. There is a common view that the hair loss is mainly from mother's side but it is not true. Different hair loss treatments are available for different hair loss patterns. One among them is hair loss shampoo.

Many people suffering from hair loss are using hair loss shampoo, because it is the easiest way of treating hair loss. But in a lot of cases not the best! There are numerous varieties of hair loss shampoos available in drugstores.

One among them is Dr.Proctor's hair loss shampoo, which consists of natural ingredients, no chemicals are added. Statistics show that this product is the favorite hair loss shampoo. The second most popular hair loss shampoo is called Life

Extension Shampoo.
Other commonly used hair loss shampoos are Viviscal, Hair Genesis, Thymuskin, Revivogen, nisim, and Tricomin. A research study confirms that Thymuskin hair loss shampoo is 95% effective in female and 67% in the male pattern baldness. Viviscal shampoo is also very popular. It treats thinning hair, hair loss, and proclaims overall health of the hair.

Viviscal is also available as tablets, scalp lotion and conditioner apart from hair loss shampoo. Viviscal is extracted from marine, which provides the essential amino acids to the hair follicle to keep it healthier.

Hair Genesis is not only available as hair loss shampoo, but also as an oral supplement, topical serum, and conditioner. This natural hair loss product helps to block the DHT by using the botanical DHT blockers to impede hair loss. It has to be used for at least 3 months before any positive effect is seen as a result of this treatment.

How does a hair loss shampoo work? Hair loss shampoo cleans the hair follicle from debris, dirt, oil, and other wastes. These hair loss shampoos have thymus peptides that will diffuse deep into the hair follicles to remove the adhered dirt.

Hair Renew is one of the hair loss shampoos that are specially made for women. This hair loss shampoo cleanses the scalp, neutralizes the DHT in the scalp and also nourishes the hair follicles. DHT in the hair follicles blocks the available nutrients to the hair follicle which results in hair loss.

Be careful in selecting a hair loss shampoo, because some shampoos may harm your hair and may even provoke more hair loss than preventing it.

Hair Loss: a Cause for Concern

The thinning of hair on the scalp is known as hair loss. In medical terminology it is referred to as alopecia which can be temporary or permanent. The most common form of hair loss occurs gradually and is known as androgenetic alopecia, a combination of hormones and heredity.

Other types of hair loss include alopecia areata, telogen affluvium and traction alopecia. Age is the most prominent cause of hair loss in both men as well as women, but is generally found to be more prominent in men.

Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. A single hair comprises of a hair strand, a root below the skin and a follicle from which the hair grows. The hair bulb is located at the lower end of the follicle which produces the hair’s pigment color or melanin.

It is normal to lose an average of 50-100 hairs a day as they tend to grow back in the same follicle. But if you are experiencing unusual or more hair loss accompanied by visibly thin or balding patches you need to visit your doctor. It is necessary to take sound medical advice and determine the exact reason for hair loss. Correct diagnosis will lead to the correct treatment and can aid in rectifying any underlying causes for the loss of hair.

Causes for Hair Loss:
There are several reasons for hair loss ranging from genetic tendencies and hormonal imbalance to ill health and poor nutrition. Some of the causes of hair loss are:

Alopecia Areata: This is an autoimmune skin disease which triggers the damage of hair follicles by a person’s own immune system. It causes hair loss on the scalp as well as elsewhere on the body. Research shows that over 4 million people are affected by alopecia areata in the United States alone. The disease is said to affect 1.7 per cent of the population at the global level.

Alopecia areata begins as a single or multiple round bald patches on the scalp and can lead to complete hair loss. It can affect both men and women and often begins in childhood. The hair usually grows back in a period of 6 months to 2 years, except for a few cases.

Androgenetic alopecia: This is also called male-pattern baldness and affects the majority of men. Androgenetic alopecia is caused by a number of factors including hormones called androgens and genetic causes. Some males begin to show signs of hair loss in their mid teens. This type of hair loss can also occur due to intake of steroids like testosterone used in body building.

Medical conditions and hormonal imbalance: Hair loss can also be triggered by endocrine (hormonal) conditions affecting the body such as diabetes or thyroid. People with kidney and liver disorders can also experience excessive hair loss. Young girls and women might experience hair loss due to the hormone imbalance that occurs in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Telogen effluvium: Women often experience excessive shedding of hair after childbirth. Hair loss can also result after fever, a long term illness, surgery, intake of anesthesia or sudden weight loss. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and corrects itself with time.

Medications: Certain medications also have hair loss as a side effect like lithium, isotretinoin, diet pills and chemotherapy drugs. Prolonged intake of these drugs can lead to total hair loss.

Trichotillomania: It is a psychological disorder where people repeatedly pull their hair out. This results in bald patches and hair damage. People suffering from this disorder need professional help and medication.

Poor nutrition: A poor diet can also result in hair loss. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are known to initiate hair loss. It is important for the body to get sufficient proteins, vitamins and minerals in order to sustain hair growth. A balanced diet is essential for hair growth along with the correct amount of supplements.

Hair treatments: Regular hair styling and exposure of hair to harsh chemicals such as hair dyes, bleaching creams, hair gels, hair straightening and perming ingredients can result in temporary or permanent hair loss. This can also result in permanent baldness in some cases. Wearing your hair pulled back extremely tightly that it places tension on the scalp is called traction alopecia and can result in permanent hair damage if the style is worn for a long period of time.

Hair Care Tips:
· It is important to take good care of your hair in order to avoid hair loss. It is necessary to intake a healthy diet rich in all the essential vitamins, minerals and proteins necessary for hair growth to sustain beautiful hair for a longer time.

· Use shampoos that are mild such as baby shampoos as they are less harsh on the hair in comparison to the stronger ones. Do not change your shampoo on a regular basis. Shampooing more than once in a day leads to hair damage. Lather your hair gently and do not dry it vigorously with a towel.

· Let your hair dry naturally; avoid using a blow drier every now and then. Regular use of blow drier results in hair damage and the hair loses most of its natural luster.

· Style your hair only when it’s dry. Brushing or combing wet hair can cause it to stretch and break.

Everyone wants to have beautiful hair. Thus, it is essential to take proper care of it and consult a good doctor in case of excessive hair loss. The secret to having a well nourished mane lies in a healthy diet, keeping fit and going low on chemicals.

Experiencing Male Pattern Baldness? Discover the "pattern" Secret in Men and Women Hair Loss!

You probably never thought male pattern baldness or balding patches would happen to you!

For the first time in your life you look in the mirror and notice your hairline is receding! If you are a woman, you might be experiencing patches of hair loss!

In my case I was experiencing both; an extreme receding hairline and a bald spot!

Maybe you never stopped to think why male pattern baldness looks the same for everyone who is losing hair. Of course, that's why it's known as male "pattern" baldness!

I never thought about it until I started searching for natural home remedies for hair loss for myself!

What Causes the Pattern?

First we need to understand what significantly contributes to hair loss in women and men.

It's excessive oil!

Natural home remedy hair specialists who have been in the field of restoring hair loss - with success - for 20 years, say that 99% of the time hair loss in both men and women usually comes from one thing. Excessive oil!

This oil is called sebum. When this oil gets clogged in your scalp it stops the hair follicle from growing. Eventually the oil will prevent the root from surfacing. The end result is a receding hairline and what we know as "hereditary male pattern baldness" and androgenetic alopecia.

Also experts know that hair on a man's head grows "straight out" in some areas and in other areas grows laying down. This direction of hair growth is what forms the hereditary pattern in men's hair. For women, it's quite different in terms of the direction their hair tends to grow.

However, for men, the round spot in the back of the head which usually loses hair is the area that usually grows straight out. The same goes for the receding hairline areas. These areas tend to easily attract the excessive oils that clog these hair follicles on the head.

The hair that normally sticks straight out is the hair that will fall out first.

For women, it is different because their hair does not grows straight out in those areas. However, they will experience hair loss in patches that relate to hormone and other problems. Although women can experience similar limited receding hairline loss.

So this is the reason that certain areas of the scalp experience the first hair loss.

In fact, I think that 99% of the time, hereditary baldness in men can really be stopped or significantly improved by simple natural home remedies for hair loss! The experts don't want you to believe that, or you wouldn't buy their expensive hair transplants and medications!

In fact, the experts will tell you that most men are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness; and it's just an effect that hormones have on the hair.

What Does Male Pattern Baldness Tell You about Your Health?

Really, balding is not hereditary as much as a tendency toward balding. This is because health and lifestyle habits can cause hair loss along with other symptoms.

I didn't believe that before, until I used a natural home remedy for hair loss to restore my own hair and dignity! Otherwise I'd still be trying to hide my bald spot with bandannas and other "hiding" techniques.

When you look in the mirror and your hair looks dry, brittle, frizzy, limp, lifeless, flat or even jagged looking, it is trying to tell you something.

It doesn't mean that you won't function normally throughout the day. However, the human body's capable of functioning effectively at very low health levels.

Male pattern baldness and hair loss is actually a symptom of the health level of your body.

When you are healthy physically and emotionally, your hair will be shining and your skullcap will be pliant. A moist healthy scalp makes it easier for hair to breakthrough and live!

When you are physically unhealthy and if you're emotionally upset you can expect your hair to look limp and lifeless.

At this point, the hair is getting weak and the oils that are produced by stress sebaceous glands create the clogging oils on your scalp that lead to extreme hair loss.

What Really Contributes to Male Pattern Baldness?

Major change in your lifestyle will often produce symptoms to your hair and skin.

While it seems that stress promotes hair loss, actually research shows there is only an indirect connection.

The truth is that stress goes hand-in-hand with good health habits.

For example: what do you do when you're in a hurry? Think about it. You have to get to work on time so you don't fix your hair, you may not even wash it. Because you're worried about paying the mortgage, you drink more coffee and soda. You forget to eat breakfast and when you do eat, it has no nutritional value. You might end the day with a TV dinner that has no nutritional value to promote hair regrowth.

You can add to that, no exercise, not enough sleep, dirty environments, $.99 shampoo and conditioner (filled with chemicals, and many have never really been tested for safety, much less health), and more!

Yes, your hair will be one of the first signs that your body is experiencing some sort of distress. Your hair, scalp and skin will show signs of health deficiencies. Even medications will show signs.

That includes over-the-counter drugs and chemically treated hair products used by women that make the effects even more drastic.

When I was experiencing extreme hair loss, I tried a natural hair loss remedy first, instead of taking any drastic measures like hair transplants and medications with side effects. Anything that can be fixed naturally is always going to be your best choice of action!

When I stopped my receding hairline and completely restored a bald spot in back of my head, I did it with simple natural hair loss remedies. My grandfather wore a toupee and my father was already bald at 48 when he retired from the army. And at 44 I already had hair loss pictures with extreme hair loss.

By using natural home remedies for hair loss, it took me less than 12 weeks before I was experiencing significant improvements, which included hair regeneration. My closest friend was absolutely surprised when she saw the new baby hairs growing in my receding hairline! So was I!

I'm completely convinced that most hair loss sufferers can be helped with simple hair loss remedies!

How to Stop Hair Loss Naturally

It appears that, like wrinkles and belly fat, baldness is largely inherited. However, the theory that baldness is inherited from the mother's side may have been debunked.

Newer studies have concluded that male pattern baldness may come from either parent; though the mother's side may be slightly more influential. What this means to the average male is this: look to your family.

Pay particular attention to your father, grandfathers and uncles. If the grass is thick everywhere, breathe afairly confident sigh of relief. If there are more shiny skulls than not, you may be at risk for baldness.

The good news is that hair follicles do not die. Instead, they simply become unproductive. The trick to preventing hair loss is figuring out how to keep those hair follicles from becoming dormant. It may even be possible to re-awaken unproductive hair follicles and re-grow hair.

If family history suggests that hair loss is a likely scenario for you, there are some things that decrease your risk.

Using natural products to help prevent baldness is cheaper than trying to replace lost hair once it's already gone. Consider the power of these natural ingredients to stave off thinning hair:

* Saw Palmetto: This herb is sometimes used to treat enlargement of the prostate. This is because Saw Palmetto blocks the production of DHT (a metabolite of testosterone), a contributing factor to enlarging of the prostate. Because DHT production also causes hair loss, Saw Palmetto has been shown to be effective for preventing hair loss in some men.

* Nettle root: Those little plants with the big sting are good for something after all. Nettle root is another treatment which blocks the production of chemicals which enlarge the prostrate.
They are the same ones that can cause hair loss. Evidence suggests that nettle root may not only stave off baldness, but may actually regenerate hair growth.

* Vitamins: Your mother told you they were good for you, but you may not know they're good for your hair too. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant which promotes healthy production of sebum in the scalp.
Vitamin E stimulates circulation. Good blood circulation in the scalp is important in keeping hair follicles productive. The 'B' vitamins contribute to melanin, which gives hair its healthy color and also stimulates blood circulation.

In addition to these ingredients, which help stop hair loss naturally, massage is also beneficial. Massage stimulates circulation. As already noted, good circulation in the scalp keeps hair follicles active. Experts suggest a few minutes of daily head massage by hand. Circulation through massage may be improved by using a few drops of lavender or bay essential oil in an almond or sesame oil base with massage.

Don't panic when your next family reunion nets a sea of bald heads. There's hope for you. Since all of these natural remedies also have other health benefits on the body besides stimulating the scalp, there's little reason not to try them.

Hair Loss Causes With Its Treatment

Hair loss usually occurs because of hormonal factors. As a consequence, biological events like puberty, pregnancy and menopause that effect female hormone levels can also cause female hair loss. In the case of pregnancy, hair loss is simply a consequence of the stress the body undergoes during labor and should stop approximately 6 months after birth.

Discontinuation of taking birth control pills can also cause temporary female hair loss.
The cause of female baldness is not just limited to menopause. Some women begin to see their hair thinning as early as puberty. This typically results from a hormonal imbalance. A change in hormones can often lead to female baldness. A hormone evaluation can tell you if hormones are the cause.

What can cause this hormonal imbalance? Most commonly oral contraceptives, PCOS, menopause and pregnancy (post natal stages) can. All of these directly affect the hormone balance within a womans body and can lead to partial or dramatic thinning or loss of hair. Your doctor is the best person to speak to for advice on this especially in relation to PCOS, menopause or oral contraception.

Causes of Hair Loss:
Medication or drugs - the contraceptive pill, blood thinning or blood pressure medication, thyroid hormones, cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, coricosteroids, high dosage vitamin A, amphetamines, cocaine drugs. (Please note that hair loss does not necessarily occur with these medications).

Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an immune disease that affects almost 2% of the population in the US. This type of hair loss appears in various degrees of severity from small, round patches of hair loss that regrow without medical treatment to chronic, extensive hair loss that can involve the loss of all hair on the scalp or body hair. This type of hair loss affects both genders equally and can occur at any age, although it occurs most often in children and young adults.

Physical trauma - scarring, childbirth, burns, accidents, general anaesthesia, surgery.Some common myths related to female hair loss are that frequent washing and shampooing, and wearing of wigs and hats all cause hair loss. In addition, rumors abound that permanents, coloring, and other cosmetic treatments can cause permanent hair loss. Other myths are that brushing your hair everyday will create healthier hair, that shaving your head will cause hair to grow back thicker, and that stress causes permanent hair loss.

Stress is a major reason why you can experience hair loss. Therefore, start reducing the extra stress at once by taking some time out of your daily schedule to relax. Also get enough sleep. You can also start supplementing your diet with a good hair loss nutritional supplement.The most important thing to remember is to try to remain positive throughout the treatments. It may take as long as a year to begin seeing results from any form of female hair loss treatment. Start by going to a doctor, and just remember, almost everyone is affected by hair loss at some point in their life.

Rogaine is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat female hair loss. Rogaine is packaged separately for women, in a solution of 2% minoxidil. Many physicians suggest not using Rogaine while pregnant or breastfeeding. Side effects can include scalp irritation and more serious, but rare side effects if too much of the medication is absorbed into the bloodstream. Talk to your doctor before starting any treatment.

What to Do When You Start to Lose Hair Fast

Hair loss affects more than 35 million men just in the United States alone, and more than 10 million men in Europe. And let's not forget the many more increasing millions who experience symptoms of hair loss every day.

Some Major Signs of Hair Loss Include:
- Fallen hair on your pillow every morning.

- You see random strands of hair around your room or house.

- You notice clumps of hair falling out every now and then.

What Not To Do:

Most people will try to look for "home remedies for hair loss" on the internet, because we all try to solve our problems our own way. Some people do nothing and wait for the hair falling to stop. Not doing anything about hair loss will cause you to:

- Start losing hair on the front hairline and forehead and on top of the head

- And eventually only hair around the ears, the sides and back of the head will remain.

Don't feel frustrated about your hair situation, and believe that you can easily solve the problem by taking the most efficient steps. Many men give up on stopping their hair thinning and stay bald for years, and some during their lifetimes. Don't be that person who gives up easily, because you will regret it.

You'll start to see your hair again the earlier you start taking action.

What to Do:

Having said that, here are a few suggestions for solving your hair problem and regenerating lost hair:

- Try to drink at least a gallon or 8 cups of water every day.

- Eat a balanced diet, and a diet especially high in protein.

- Try to look for hair loss cures that have been proven to work. They may be products recommended by friends who successfully used them and experienced positive results, or they may be products recommended by experts.

- Watch out for scam or faulty products that claim to "stop hair loss in 3 days" because that sort of result is impossible.

You are fully aware that bodybuilding supplements boost the muscle growth in bodybuilders, and that is why supplements are so popular among bodybuilders looking to accelerate their muscular growth as fast as possible without spending thousands of dollars.

You can look at regenerating hair the same way. Most men think they'll need to pay thousands of dollars over a lifetime to have their natural looking, fully-controllable hair back, but they don't know that there are supplements out there that can help them accomplish what they want without wasting time and lots of money.