Hair fall, also known as alopecia, is a natural condition that affects most men throughout various stages of their lives.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, approximately 67% of American men suffer from hair fall by the age of 35, and in some cases signs of alopecia appear even before the age of 22.
Temporary Hair Loss: There are various forms of hair fall and each is triggered by a different condition.
One common type is called temporary hair loss and it is caused by bacterial and fungal infections or skin diseases that cause inflammation.
It can also be the result of temporary environmental factors, such as an unhealthy diet, prolonged emotional stress, damaging hairstyles, and certain types of medication.
These and other types of sudden stimuli can trigger Telogen Effluvium (TE), a condition that extends the normal resting state between periods of active hair growth.
In instances of temporary Alopecia, the process of hair fall typically occurs erratically and does not the produce the common "horseshoe" shape associated with hereditary baldness (genetic hair loss).
These causes only account for less than 10% of hair loss in men.
Male Pattern Baldness (androgenetic alopecia) Androgenetic alopecia, occurs when the hair follicles become sensitive to the male hormone Dihydrotestoerone (DHT).
DHT causes shrinkage in follicles and halts the healthy growth of hair, producing a gradual hairline recession.
Genetics largely determine sensitivity to DHT, and therefore have a crucial impact on the onset and rate at which a man loses hair.
Temporary hair fall and Male Pattern Baldness are just 2 from a list of more than 15 different types of hair fall that affect men.
Some other types of hair loss are: Trichotillomania, Alopecia Universalis, Tinea Capitis etc.
When Choosing a treatment it is very important to keep four key factors in mind.
Firstly, the treatment you choose should be effective for all types of hair fall.
Secondly, it should be cost effective because most treatments should be used for long periods before visible results can be noticed.
Thirdly, it should be safe and without any side-effects.
Finally, it should be easy to use and should not be too time consuming.