From Midlife Crisis To Midlife Happiness

The hair growth cycle occurs in three stages:

1. the anagen stage;
2. the catagen stage;
3. the telogen stage;

Hair grows from roots called follicles. Blood vessels at the base of each follicle provide nourishment vital for hair and hair growth. Normally, there are about 100,000 hairs on a person's scalp. The anagen stage is the growth stage which occurs about 90 percent of the time. The anagen stage lasts about two to four years.

The follicles then go through the telogen stage or resting stage where some of the hair no longer grows. The telogen stage lasts three to five months. In-between the anagen and telogen is the catagen stage, which is a transitional period. At the end of the telogen period, the hair begins to fall out. This is actually quite normal because old hair is being replaced by new hair.

Abnormal balding occurs when hair is lost at an unusually high rate. There is also the possibility that hair replacement occurs at a much slower rate and normal hairs are replaced by weaker, smaller ones.

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, occurs normally among adult males. Although expected to occur just as a man enters his midlife stage, balding may begin at any age after puberty. This type of balding is easily identified by a pattern of hair loss beginning at the temple toward the back, causing a receding hairline. It sometimes progresses further until it forms a horseshoe pattern on the sides and back of the head.

Male pattern baldness is a combination of hereditary condition and hormonal factors. This very combination of both leads to the production of certain enzymes that convert testosterone into the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is causes hair follicles to shrink and can lead to partial or complete hair loss. Usually, the earlier male pattern baldness begins, the more severe the hair loss.

Other forms of alopecia include 1) alopecia areata - baldness in patches; 2) alopecia totalis - total baldness over the head; and 3) alopecia universalis - baldness over the entire body.

• Fungal infection;
• Cancer chemotherapy;
• Personal conflicts;
• Stress;
• Hyperthyroidism - this condition causes hair to grow thin;
• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus;
• Scarring of the scalp caused by trauma, burns (including sunburn), or hair pulling

There are several treatments for baldness, including vitamins and minerals, drugs and natural ingredients. It is adviseable to seek the opinion of a professional as they will be able to prescribe a particular treatment regimen. However there is no harm in taking natural ingredients when it comes to treating an alopecia condition.

• Vitamins And Minerals
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B6 and Biotin
  • Zinc
  • Copper
  • Silica
  • Selenium
  • Magnesium
• Drugs
  • Minoxidil
  • Finasteride
  • Provillus Hair Loss Treatment

  These drugs usually contain all of the vitamins and minerals mentioned above and then some plus their own patented concoction. The objective of these drugs is to prevent the formation of DHT and they all have been successful at that. Their effectiveness is noticeable only after prolonged use and they have so far been safe. Finasteride though is not recommended for pregnant women as it could lead to cause birth defects. It has also been found to reduce sex drive.

• Herbal Supplements
  • Pygeum
  • Saw Palmetto
  • A traditional Chinese herb known as Ho Shou Wu (Polygonum Multiflorum) aka Ho Shou Wan or He Shou Wan
• Other Treatments
  • Surgery
  • Hair transplant
  • Laser therapy
  • Behavioral therapy especially for hair pullers
  • Hair pieces