Premature hair loss conjures up the image of that unlucky
individual who has the misfortune to start the balding process well
before his/her time. But the statistics actually tell a different story
with one of every four cases of permanent and progressive hair loss
beginning before the age of 30. This number doesn't include temporary
loss of hair caused by over bleaching, crash diets, harsh shampoo or any
other temporary self imposed occurrence that produces balding and/or
thinning. Statistics show that premature hair loss caused by male and
female pattern baldness impacts over 20 million people in the United
States alone. But to fully gain an understanding of why this happens we
must first delve into the cause of balding and/or thinning.Early in life you are blessed with about 100,000 scalp hairs; each one emerging from a small sac like apparatus called a follicle. Each hair replacement cycle lasts about 4 years with a daily reshuffling occurring where approximately 100 hairs are lost then replaced. When a person is experiencing premature hair loss the number of hairs replaced simply can't keep up with the number of hairs lost. For this to happen something must be getting in the way of the natural replacement cycle and in eight out of every ten cases of balding the culprit is a combination of heredity and the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
This combination is the ambitious new hairs worst nightmare. For those who are genetically predisposed to the condition DHT is converted from testosterone in the hair cell. Over time dihydrotestosterone builds up in the follicle complex causing it to begin to shrink and eventually rendering the follicle incapable or producing new growth. What's even worse, and potentially more permanent, is that many follicles die creating a virtual desert in the middle of a forest of healthy hair. If enough follicles die the only options in the future will be hair transplant surgery, toupees, custom made wigs, or acceptance of their premature hair loss will lead to extensive balding. The most extensive balding and/or thinning is usually seen on the top of the head working its way back to the crown.
What Next? If you are experiencing premature hair loss it is very important to take steps early to protect your remaining hair and to re-grow as much of your lost hair as possible. The good news is that by being younger than the average person who is experiencing balding or thinning your chances of successfully restoring lost hair is actually much better than someone in their late 40's or early 50's. There are currently a number of excellent hair re-growth products formulated to reinvigorate shrinking hair follicles, block the androgen hormone DHT, and produce new growth. If you are interested in halting male or female baldness before it reaches the point of no return prompt action is your best defense against extensive permanent premature hair loss.
R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural
health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn
more about natural remedies for better health visit Purchase Remedies.com
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