For the majority of those who experience thinning hair on their scalp it is a very gradual process. That is not to say it will not progress. For men with typical male pattern baldness it begins at the temples and on the top of the head. Gradually these two areas of loss will increase in size until they meet and the person is left with only an arc of hair extending upwards from the nape of the neck. In women the loss is usually a more general thinning. In both these common types of hair loss the cause is the same - you chose the wrong parents. If one or both of your parents suffered with thinning hair then it is likely that you will do the same. This type of hair thinning or loss is called androgenetic alopecia, otherwise male or female pattern baldness. In men this usually presents as thinning at the temples and on top of the scalp. It is caused by the action of testosterone which, when converted to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) causes the hair follicles to shrink and become less productive before they eventually die.

There are however other reasons for hair loss, some of which are relatively easy to reverse, so do check with your doctor in order to eliminate these - certain drugs, loss as a result of coming off the birth control pill, or after pregnancy for instance.

Whatever the cause there are treatments available. These vary considerable in cost, efficacy and duration. Some help may be obtained by taking dietary supplements such as saw palmetto, an active anti-androgen. It blocks 5 alpha reductase and so lowers levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone ). It also blocks receptor sites for DHT thus disabling it. Saw palmetto is safe, has been used for hundreds of years by native Americans, is not known to react adversely with drugs. It is well tolerated, only a very few people complain that it upsets their stomach and it is relatively inexpensive. It is available from a health food shop or herbalist.

There are hair loss treatment available that will help in many cases such as those containing Finesteride. However check what side effects have been produced and work out the cost before starting such a course of treatment. It may help, but when you stop taking it you will quite quickly be back at square one.

There are clinics which can provide hair implant services. Those methods used today are better than earlier attempts, but it is an operation and so carries some slight risk of infection etc.
You may want to consider a method to disguise your loss, especially if it is a temporary one. There are many products available that will artificially thicken the hair that you do have or colour the scalp so that the thinning is less obvious.

Your hairdresser must deal with many people who have thinning hair and will be able to advise you about new styles and shampoos. So you have a lot of choices to make. Just remember that even the best of treatments takes time. Hair grows very slowly so practise patience.

Article By: John Tulley

By Jean Helmet

Thinning hair happens naturally to some degree as we age. It becomes a problem when it happens too quickly, at a young age, or if you are uncomfortable with it. If you have any concerns about your thinning hair, talk to your doctor. S/he will be able to help you find the right treatment plan to meet your needs.

Thinning Hair Patterns

In women, hair begins to thin all over her head and along the line where she might part her hair. Her hairline does not change at all. It may start with noticeably more hair in her brush or comb.

In men it tends to begin with a receding hair line. As a result, men are typically left with hair around the sides and on the back of the head or they do go completely bald. Male balding can begin at the crown of the head toward the back as well.

Causes of Thinning Hair

Thinning hair can be a result of a lot of things not the least of which is aging. Human hair naturally thins with age. It is when it begins to become a concern for you that you should seek help.

In women hair loss can be caused by hormonal changes such as occurs in pregnancy, child birth, the use of birth control and in some cases during menopause. This kind of hair loss is treatable and once hormones return to normal levels, hair does grow back but it takes time.

In men however, in order to get male pattern baldness testosterone (male hormone) must be present. Men whose bodies do not produce testosterone tend not to have this type of baldness. Consultation with a physician will help to identify possible causes and rule out any other physical reason you have for thinning hair. Ladies take note, a physical exam by your doctor can also rule out any other health issues.

In both men and women, serious illness or very high fevers may cause thinning hair. Be sure your doctor knows what medications you may be taking because some medications and medical treatments such as chemo and radiation are known to cause hair loss. Once treatment is suspended however, hair will grow back eventually.

If you wash your hair too frequently and/or blow dry it too frequently, this can cause hair to become brittle and break. Hair follicles can be damaged which will produce thinning hair.

Combing through tangles roughly can break hair, pull hair out, and damage follicles. Again this will cause hair fall out. There are other causes including extreme amounts of physical and emotional stress that can trigger thinning hair. Nervous habits such as pulling on your hair or rubbing your scalp excessively will cause hair fall out. Hair may grow back once the stress is reduced.

Treatments for Thinning Hair

Rogaine (minoxidil) is a product that has a formula for men and a formula for women. Propecia is another product for thinning hair made specifically for men. Women who may be or who are pregnant should not come into contact with the active ingredients of Propecia as this can cause abnormalities of the sex organs in male babies.

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure in which hair from one area of the head is removed (including the follicles) and moved to an area that is thinning or bald. This is a painful and expensive process. It is however, usually permanent and will grow as your hair does.

The safest and possibly the cheapest way to deal with thinning hair is the use of wigs, hair pieces, weaves, or extensions. Wigs are a full head of either human or synthetic hair. Hair pieces typically cover the top of the head to cover thinning hair. Weaves and extensions are added to the hair to give the illusion of a full head of hair. These pieces are not to be stitched to the scalp as infections and scarring can result. As a result, you may experience even more hair loss.

Natural supplements are also used for the treatment of thinning hair. They are formulas that include vitamins including B, C, E, and A vitamins. Minerals such as zinc and magnesium as well as herbs such as pumpkin, saw palmetto, and horsetail may also be included. These are nutritive substances that are known to benefit hair loss.

Conclusion

Thinning hair is something we will have to deal with as we age. For the most part, this can be treated or even reversed. You can choose chemical treatments such as Rogaine, hair transplants or wigs and other types of artificial hair. Natural supplements may also be an option. Consult with your doctor before adding anything to your health regimen.

The product we personally use for hair is known as Provillus. We have been using this natural supplement for over 2 years with excellent results. To learn about our hair loss product of choice, be sure to check out our provillus review.

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