Hair loss, the thinning and loss of hair on the head or the body, is formally known as alopecia and has been viewed as a medical issue for thousands of years. A 3,500-year-old papyrus from ancient Egypt even listed purported treatments such as applying mixtures containing wasp dung.
> A century ago, a working theory behind hair loss was that hats were too tight. (More)
> Our hairs grow at a rate of roughly 1 centimeter per month. (More)
Research suggests some daily hair loss is normal, typically between 50 and 100 strands of hair. But in modern times, roughly two-thirds of American men experience noticeable hair loss by age 35, and 40% of women by age 50. Male and female pattern hair loss results from a combination of genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors. Temporary forms of hair loss can also be influenced by stress, medication, illness, and body changes such as childbirth.
> We're typically born with all the hair follicles we'll ever have. (More)
> Don't blame your mom for male-pattern baldness. (More)
> Women have no approved pills for hair loss, unlike men. (More)
Human hair cycles typically have three distinct phases: a multiyear growing phase, a short clumping phase, and a resting phase when hair is shed. Treatments targeting early-stage hair loss, including oral medications and applied foams, generally aim to return hair to its growth phase by improving blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to hair roots.
> Stress-related hair loss may occur several months after an incident. (More)
> Tracking of individual hairs revealed a surprise—they grow differently from what scientists have long assumed. (More)
Discover more:
> A common arthritis drug may be a promising treatment for hair loss. (More)
> Istanbul is a big destination for hair transplants. (More)
> Hair loss after childbirth is really the body returning to normal. (More)
> Chemotherapy disproportionately affects hair cells, causing hair loss. (More)
>... explore everything we've learned about Hair Loss.
