Some Hair Loss Truths: What Causes Baldness and How to Prevent It




During our lives, scalp hair tends to go through cyclic patterns of growing, resting, falling and regenerating. However, as we age, certain hormonal and genetic changes can restrict successful reproduction of our locks, leading to irreversible hair loss. The important question is whether baldness can be prevented or cured?


Cyclic hair fall and age-related hair thinning are fairy natural events. Since hair follicles tend to weaken with age, new hair is reproduced slower in older people. But what about those who tend to lose hair when still young? It is estimated that premature balding, when considerable numbers of hair fall out in still young individuals, tend to occur in about 70 percent of both males and females, with men affected considerably more often and severe than women.

So-called “male-pattern baldness” is a common phenomenon characterized by gradual thinning of the frontal area of the scalp in men over 25 years of age. Experts say that male-pattern hair loss is due to an elevated secretion of the male hormone testosterone. This “macho hormone”, when comes in contact with subcutaneous tissues, is converted into the substance called DHT. DHT weakens and eventually destroys hair follicles, which results in massive hair loss in many men. This undesirable conversion of testosterone into toxic DHT can be triggered or aggravated by such factors as genetics, smoking, stress, alcoholism, or even excessive caffeine consumption.

In women, most cases of baldness are caused by menopausal hormonal changes. “Female-pattern baldness” is characterized by graduate thinning of hair everywhere on the scalp and especially along the hairline.

Premature hair loss in both men and women can be generated by many factors, the most common of which are: hormonal imbalances, especially those that involve testosterone, estrogen and thyroid hormones; physical or emotional stress; consumption of synthetic vitamin A found in multivitamin pills; nutritional deficiencies; certain diseases; cancer chemotherapy; environmental pollution; extensive use of hair-styling products or chemical dyes; and tight hairstyles.

Unfortunately, there is no reliable prevention of baldness. Although some of the above factors can be controlled by means of stress management, adequate nutrition, proper hair hygiene, or avoidance of pollutants, genetic and hormonal causes of hair loss are much harder to eliminate. Pharmaceutical remedies for baldness are known for their questionable effectiveness; in addition, they are often costly and have a wide range of undesirable side effects. The most trusted hair loss medications are FDA-certified Propecia and Rogaine – the drugs that can stimulate modest hair re-growth in balding people.

More effective are surgical techniques of hair restoration, such as laser therapy, follicular transplantation, or grafting. Hair transplant services are safe and reliable, yet expensive, and are currently offered in many countries of the world.

If you want to prevent or treat balding by natural means and avoid taking medications or getting through painful hair restoration procedures, the following set of rules can be recommended:

•    Use only natural, herbal shampoos, hair remedies, conditioners or styling products;

•    Avoid dying your hair with synthetic colours or using any other artificial chemicals on your scalp and hair;

•    Avoid tight hairstyles;

•    Protect your hair from excessive moisture, direct sunlight, and environmental pollution;

•    Eat a natural diet of wholesome foods, including nutrient-rich beef liver, oysters, eggs, deep-ocean fish, and free-range red meats;

•    Balance work with proper rest and practice gentle relaxation techniques to overcome stress;

•    Avoid excessive smoking, drinking, and caffeine consumption.

Richard Dunn

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Posted on July 20, 2008 
Filed Under Hair Care, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Reasons, Hair Loss Treatments

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