Types of Baldness and Baldness Causes
It is natural to lose some hair every day. So long as new strands of hair grow back, there is no observable change in the density of hair. But as one ages, the rate at which hair is lost exceeds the rate at which hair re-grows. Technically known as alopecia, baldness can be of various types: male-pattern or androgenetic, female-pattern, alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.
Male-pattern alopecia is characterized by the loss of hair laterally across the forehead and temples, which results in a gradual but marked recession of the hairline. Over time, one may develop a bald patch in the centre on the scalp or even lose his hair completely. Though this kind of baldness is most commonly observed in men, it can sometimes affect women too. More commonly, however, women lose hair uniformly across the scalp, which causes a general thinning of hair but hardly ever results in a receding hairline or complete baldness. Alopecia areata refers to partial loss of hair, while alopecia totalis signifies complete loss of hair. An extreme form of this kind of baldness is alopecia universalis, in which there is total loss of all body hair.
Baldness is mostly hereditary in nature. In men, the hormone testosterone gets gradually converted into a natural chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DTH) as one ages. This chemical slows down and sometimes completely stops the generation of new hair in the hair follicles and causes balding. In women, the prolonged use of birth control pills may lead to hormonal imbalances that lead to baldness. Besides these, fungal infections, nutritional deficiencies in the diet, prolonged and serious physical ailments and mental stress can also cause baldness. Exposure to radiation as part of chemotherapy, kidney failure, injuries and burns are among the less common causes of baldness.
Baldness Cures
Though the effects of baldness cannot be entirely reversed with natural means, there are a few home remedies one can follow to arrest the loss of hair. Following a well balanced diet is essential to maintain your hair in good health. Eat natural sources of iron, such as green and leafy vegetables, dry fruits, fish, eggs and cereals, as this is a nutrient that goes a long way in strengthening the hair and preventing hair loss. Vitamin E is also known to be of great help in preventing baldness. Applying vitamin E oil on the scalp and hair regularly is an easy way of treating baldness. You may also opt for hair grafting and weaving, which are external mechanical means of regaining lost hair.