The idea of baldness, which is medically known as alopecia, is very simple: It affects both sexes, male and female, and can be caused by any of the following events:

Baldness and hair loss is much commoner than we normally think.

Age can cause baldness,

hormonal changes can definitely cause baldness,

past ancestral problems - genetics - can certainly be a cause of baldness,

lifestyle and environment can cause baldness in some individuals,

some medications and hair products can also cause hair loss and premature baldness,

and illness can cause baldness.

One of the major hormonal causes of baldness or permanent hair loss is dihydrotestosterone - DHA - a form of testosterone converted to its state by an enzyme created in the prostate, scalp and adrenal glands called 5-alpha reductase. This testosterone causes hair follicles to die and shortens the hair follicles growing cycles, causing the hair grown to be weaker.

Dihydrotestosterone occurs naturally, and is hard to stop from being created, but it can be controlled with some antibalding medications.

In terms of illnesses that cause baldness and or hair loss, infections of the scalp, scarlet fever, and typhoid fever are three prominent ones.

Fungal infections or tumors of the scalp that cause baldness are easy to cure via medicine, although it may take an extremely long time - weeks to months to years - for the drugs to take full effect and for hair to regrow fully.

Chemotherapy is well reknowned for causing hair loss and baldness.

The effects / symptoms of baldness, alopecia and hair loss are different in males and females

In males, the hairline recedes from the front, leaving only a small amount at the back by the end.

In females the hair thins all over the scalp, beginning around age 30 and becoming more noticeable during or after menopause.

Hair loss, baldness and alopecia can be temporary or permanent.

Temporary loses of hair is caused by stress, medicines, vitamins, or hormonal changes, while the permanent loss of hair was caused by a hereditary condition called Androgenetic alopecia, or by damage occuring to the hair follicle and or scalp.

The varying amounts of baldness have other scientific names as well.

Anagen Effluvium, or permanent hair loss, is caused by the loss of the follicles.

One of the causes of baldness is the condition called as Telogen Effluvium, or a non-permanent loss of hair, is caused by the transitory damage of the hair follicles.

Both the above forms of baldness and hair loss are extremely common in adults.

Alopecia Areata is a baldness symptomised by the sudden loss of hair and normally leaves patchy areas of hair loss or baldness on the scalp.

Alopecia Totalis is a baldness characterised by hair loss over the whole scalp.

Alopecia Universalis is hair loss and baldness affecting all hair producing areas of the body, including the scalp, underarms, eyebrows and pubic hairs.

Androgenetic Alopecia refers to baldness caused by normal genetic influences. For men, it's mainly caused by DHT, while in women other genes and their genetic expression are responsible.

Traction Alopecia is baldness and hair loss caused by pulling on the hair - such as when braiding, pony tailing, styling and so on.

Excessive combing of hair has also been found to contribute to baldness and hair thinning.

Tight braiding, pony tail and hair styles that pull on hair, can all cause traction alopecia - baldness and hairloss from hair pulling. It may even damage the scalp, causing permanet hair loss and blad patches.

Male-pattern Alopecia is well known, it just refers to the normal ordinary baldness of men.

In fact there are an enormous number of scientific names used to describe baldness and it's causes and aspects. Probably because baldness and hairloss are so common and so obvious to see and scientifically observe.

Treatments for Baldness and Hair Loss

The false hope

It is important when considering any baldness treatment, as to whether the baldness treatment actually works.

There are many miraculous cures for baldness and hair loss backed by patient testimonials, but they just don't work in regrowing your hair.

For example, you suffer Alopecia Areata. Your hair has just suddenly fallen out in big patches. What you don't know is that your hair will likely regrow - but you buy a hair regrower, your hair grows back, and you, being amazed, write a great testimonial, which then leads others to believe the cure you used will work.

That's why testimonials are not the best proof for a baldness cure.

You need the scientific evidence as well.

The real hope for baldness cures and hair regrowth treatments.

However, there is hope -- prescription and non-prescription medicines are becoming available in the fight against hair loss.

While baldness may be uncomfortable, that doesn't mean that is has to be difficult to live through, and it is getting easier every day.

Baldness, at least amongst men, is becoming a macho look, and treatments that work or help or prevent are becoming much more abundant.

Even though medications to prevent hair loss and baldness are effective, there are alternatives, such as hair replacement surgeries and wigs, should all else fail.

Wigs and toupees can be so skillfully made, that no one will be able to tell the difference - will not be able to see the hair loss or baldness.

Picture of happy gent courtesy of Netwolf56 / Picture of girls braided hair courtesy of Taliesin

Photos on right: Family photo courtesy of Anita Patterson / Young men talking photo courtesy of Anita Patterson / Adolescent girls photo courtesy of Jeltovski / 1st couple photo courtesy of Mensatic / 2nd couple photo courtesy of Tylin.

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Baldness and premature hair loss can be caused by genetics and therefore run in a family

Male pattern baldness can happen to male teenagers as well as to men.

Females are at risk of developing hair loss and female baldness, due to hormonal changes, such as with giving birth, or getting pregnant.

After age 30, hair loss and baldness in both men and women is to be expected.

After age 40, males will typically show signs of male pattern baldness and females will normally start seeing their hair thinning out.

Always remember, before acting on any information you find here or on any of our web sites, check with your health professional about whether the information is suitable for you.