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Understanding Hair Loss

There are many forms of hair loss, however the most common type of hair loss is the male/female pattern hair loss, which affects millions of men and women. Hair loss for both men and women may begin as early as adolescence but can start in later decades of life as well.

Hair loss may have a serious psychological impact. Studies have shown that hair loss may be associated with :

• low self-esteem/depression • introversion • feelings of unattractiveness • less likable • less successful

A solution to the problem of hair loss has been sought for thousands of years and the lack of understanding and desperation of individuals with hair loss has led to the emergence of claims to dubious unproven therapies and supplements.

In the last quarter of a century, scientific advances and improved technologies have led to a clearer understanding of causes of hair loss and therefore, leading towards the development of more viable treatments.

The organization hopes the information provided will be able to provide the public with a better understanding on hair loss. In addition to male pattern hair loss, other causes of hair loss include the following (but not limited to) :

• Drug induced hair loss
• Thyroid/Iron deficiency
• Auto-immune disease (A person's immune response system working against his/her own body)
• Stress induced (eg. Telogen effluvium)

However, the most prevalent type of hair loss is the male/female pattern hair loss which occurs in 30% of men by the age of 30, 50% of men by the age of 50 and 50% of women by the age of 60.