Hair loss is a billion dollar industry – what makes it so important?

You keep on reading about hair loss treatments – there are many from topical applications to supplements to surgery – and at the same time you do keep on seeing bald or balding people around. It is no wonder that you think that if there is a cure for baldness, then why did those people not use it and get back their hair? Recently the bald patch on Prince William’s head was very visible and a testimony to the fact that more people are going bald at a younger age than ever before.

Culturally hair is linked more attractive physical attributes. There is so much you can do with hair. A different hair style or color can change your entire look. A good hair day can boost your self esteem and unkempt or hair not at its best can be a real downer. We all obsess about our hair (or lack of it).

The phases of hair loss

A baby may be born with fine or thick hair or even bald. As he grows the hair changes texture and form. Usually by the teens, a full head of hair is the norm. By this time the hair will have gone through many phases shedding and regrowing innumerable times – person loses 50-100 hair a day. That is why a cut makes the hair looks fuller, because all hair is at different growing lengths. But if there is a genetic factor for baldness involved, by the late teens the hairline can start receding and white hair, too, can appear.

Hair can start receding from the temples or from the top of the head. Sometimes it is the sides which are affected first. Whether hair recedes from the temples first or the middle, usually the person will end up having a receding hairline and then grow bald from the front and top of the head. If there is a bald patch on the top of the head that will spread slowly till hair is only left on the sides and bottom.

Occasionally it will stop at that. But sometimes the person will grow totally bald. While the condition affects more men than women, hair loss can affect women and it usually occur as thinning hair and bald patches. Rarely does it go to full baldness unless it is due to a medical condition or cancer treatment.

Treatments for baldness

As the hair goes through a shedding phase, you may put down excessive hair loss due to this factor. It is only when the hair does not grow back that you may realize that you have serious problem. There are many treatments for baldness including special oil, herbs and conventional lotions like minoxidil that you can apply to stem hair loss.

There are also other options like hair weaving, hair pieces and even wigs which can camouflage hair loss. Surgeries like hair transplant and scalp reduction are usually successful in restoring hair.

A wide variety of products are available in the market, including shampoos, lotions and over the counter remedies which may or not work depending on the state of your baldness and why it occurred. Unfortunately since the genetic factor is very important, it may not be possible to stop hair loss which is due to a family history of baldness. If you do not have a genetic involvement, then proper diet, nutrition and lack of stress may help combat hair loss along with local remedies.