Types of Baldness

Male pattern baldness usually begins in the late teens or 20’s is where the hair is lost on the frontal areas and on the crown of the scalp. This can occur due to imbalance of hormones. Male pattern hair loss can be prevented if treated early.

Norwood Scale of Male Hair Loss
Diagram below is a visual presentation of various stages of hair loss in men known as Norwood Scale, which is used for measuring the degree of hair loss in men and women.

Female pattern baldness is different from male-pattern baldness in a way that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and sides of the head.

Ludwig Scale of Female Hair Loss
Diagram below is a visual presentation of various stages of female hair loss known as Ludwig Scale, which is used for measuring the degree of hair loss in women and men.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Most people assume that only men experience hair loss but the problems of hair loss in women seem to be increasing every year. There are many causes of scalp hair loss. The following are the common factors that can contribute to hair loss:

1. Genetic
Hair loss is commonly caused by genetic. It is inheritance of genes from either the mother or the father’s side of the family. However, experts say the problem can be corrected by a number of methods to make hair reproduction.

2. Hormones
Hormonal changes are a major reason for losing hair in women. Many women lose their hair during post pregnancy and this is can be due to the change in the hormones. After pregnancy, when the hormone level’s rebalance the condition returns to normal.

3. Medication
Drugs used to treat cancer, antidepressants and high pressure medicine as well as birth control pills can cause hair loss.

4. Diet
Dieting and sudden weight loss can also result in hair loss if they cause iron and protein deficiency.

5. Stress or illness
The scalp releases hair in response to increased stress such as major surgery, severe illness, high fever and emotional stress can lead to hair loss.

6. Autoimmune disorders
The immune system may attack the hair follicle and causing hair loss. Injection of small amount of steroids can make hair grows back normally.

7. Infection
Tinea capitis is one of fungal infection of the scalp results in breakage of hair and spots of baldness.

Hair Loss

Since ancient times, many men as well as women is suffering from premature hair loss or alopecia. Hair loss can affect one’s appearance, weakened self-confidence and causing great psychological pressure.
Normal healthy people, on average daily are about 100 hairs falling and new hair will usually start growing again. This is the normal process of hair metabolism, not a problem of hair loss. However, if the amount of hair loss is excessive, it might be a problem. To address hair loss, it is essential to find out the real causes and deal with it.