The primary cause of up to 90% of balding can be contributed to a condition known as Androgenetic Alopecia. This type of hair loss affects both men and women. Finding extra handfuls of hair falling out can be quite unsettling. Going bald affects not only the outward appearance, as a sign of premature aging, but can also lead to depression and a lack of self-worth.

There are three basic elements that must co-exist in order for this kind of baldness to occur. One is that certain hormones need to be reacting in a particular way, the next is that this needs to be happening for an extended period of time and the third is a genetic susceptibility to baldness.

Sometimes as early as the twenties or thirties, people begin to notice more hair than usual falling out each day. It is normal for 20-100 hairs per day to fall out; when a greater amount begins coming out regularly, this may be an early warning sign of future baldness and a good time to research follicular enhancement technologies and begin treatments.

This can occur in both men and women, since they both produce the hormones that are commonly associated with men: testosterone, androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). People with a predisposition for baldness produce too much of an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. Then through an interesting process this enzyme changes testosterone into DHT. Sooner or later, the hormone DHT binds with the receptor sites and these vulnerable hair follicles become unstable.

There are many types of drugs that have given cause for positive expectations as follicular replacement therapies for their ability to retard the production of DHT, one such drug is Propecia. According to the studies, when used in the early stages of hair loss, Propecia can be beneficial in slowing, ending or even in some cases, reversing hair loss.

The growth cycle of hair consists of three stages, anagen-the growing phase, catagen-the transitional and resting phase and telogen which is the final phase when the hair falls out and a new hair begins to grow and the cycle starts all over again. For most people this growth cycle can range from 3 to 8 years. However, a person with balding in their genes may find each growth cycle becoming progressively shorter and any new hair that does grow may start to become more and more thin. Going bald takes time, so noticing the subtle clues is important.

A number of factors including nutritional deficiencies, poor thyroid function, aging, nervousness, hormonal imbalances, chemotherapy and the use of various prescription drugs may explain the remaining 10% of people who experience hair loss.

By becoming a knowledgeable consumer you will be able to choose the type of follicular replacement therapies from the many available options that will best suit your hair loss needs. You may choose treatments ranging from drugs to various shampoos or topical lotions, hair replacement systems, natural remedies and several different types of surgery.