Many people's first reaction to the realization that they are losing their hair is denial. And not surprisingly, experts say that denial, which is often followed by months or years of fretting and inaction, is precisely the wrong reaction. It's recommended that both women and men seek treatment as soon as they notice hair loss.
"Usually, once you see hair thinning, you've already lost 50 percent of your hair," says Dr. Neil Sadick, a clinical professor of dermatology at Weil Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. "Although the speed of hair loss progression varies, the earlier people get treated, the better."
In general, pattern baldness, also known as genetic hair loss, begins later in women than in men. It tends to start while men are in their 30s or 40s as opposed to 40s or 50s for women. However, pattern baldness can occur at any time after puberty in both sexes. According to Sadick, hair loss is actually as common in women as it is in men, though not as severe. Also the patterns of hair loss are different. Men tend to lose hair in the front and in the "monk's cap" area at the top of the head, while women experience more diffuse thinning throughout the scalp.
Even though genes are the main culprit behind hair loss there are other possible causes including thyroid problems, anemia, lupus and the excess production of androgen hormone. Hair loss can be a side effect of medications such as ibuprofen, antidepressants, hypertension drugs and anticoagulants.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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