There are millions of people - women and men - who are frightened out of their wits of going bald. They see it coming, and it scares them silly, and I used to be one of them. To us, just the site of a few hairs at the bottom of the shower drain can send the day into a downward spiral of self-pity. really, it shouldn't be that way. I mean, taken alone the hairs on the drain are a pretty normal occurrence and no real indicator of hair loss. But there may be other signs...

It can be really hard to tell if your hair is starting to thin. Bald spots may be one of the signs but there is no guarantee that it will show up that way. There is a way to find out if your hair is starting to thin - the so-called "tug test". Using your thumb and index finger, hold about 15-20 strands of hair, and pull it firmly and slowly. If more than 6 hairs were removed, it might be safe to assume that your hair is starting to thin.

Hair loss can be caused by heredity and major illness, and is generally a problem primarily for adults (elderly). But in some cases teenagers start to loss their hair too; it is usually a sign that there is something going wrong. Hair loss in adolescents is most often caused by illness or improper diet. Sometimes in can be caused by medical treatments, such as chemotherapy.

If you believe that you may be losing your hair, and you obsess about it, improperly excessive treatment of the hair or scalp can make the situation worse. Severe hair styles - ponytails, pigtails, or tightly pulled hair - can irritate the scalp and hair, damaging both. Again, once the cause is recognized and corrected, hair loss will decrease.

There are many false conceptions about the causes of hair loss. Here's a list of just a few of the ones that many people have:

* 100 strokes with a brush every night will stimulate your hair and promote growth. Not true. As a matter of fact, depending on the severity of brushing, harsh treatment may in fact inhibit growth and lead to hair loss.

* Hairs need to breath. Wrong again. Individual hairs get their oxygen supply from the scalp. Hair will not be damaged by wearing wigs, hats or other head covering unless any of those are too tight on the head.

* Frequent hair cleansing can cause hair loss. This is not true, provided that the frequent cleaning is not the source of irritation of the scalp. The hairs that you see at the bottom of the shower right after you shampoo are most likely hairs that had fallen out earlier and were washed from your scalp with the shampoo.

* Protein shampoos and conditioners will help promote hair growth. This is not correct. Shampoos and conditioners that contain protein coat and fill the surface of existing hairs making them appear fuller and more smooth - but they don't promote additional hair growth.

It is important to take care of your hair to prevent hair loss. Avoid too much styling, and don't wear anything that can put excessive tension on your hair. Also, avoid unnecessary gadgets in your hair to help maintain its natural beauty. If you really are concerned about your hair loss and feel that it might be due to your age or heredity, then there are several very effective over-the-counter hair loss treatment products that have been proven to work in most people. Find one that works for you as quickly as you can, use it, and stick with it.