Teen Hair Loss

Starting to lose your hair when you're young and fit can be worrying. That just happens to older people, right? There are many reasons for hair loss, even in young people. It can be due to poor diet (lack of protein, vitamins and minerals) and not enough exercise. Other causes are hormone imbalances, diseases and stress. Also, some medication can have an affect, such as acne medicine and diet pills.

If you're worried about hair loss, you can do something about it:

1) See a doctor, to rule out any medical conditions. Also, to check that any medication you're currently taking is not the cause.

2) See if you can improve your diet and exercise more.
3) Find ways to reduce stress.
4) Change your hair care products. Some shampoos can be harsh on your hair. Using too much styling product could be damaging your hair.
5) Reduce the use of hairdryers and other styling equipment. The heat could be damaging your hair.

Generally, the most common cause of hair loss is called adrogenetic alopecia, to give it it's medical term. Adrogenetic refers to the influence of androgens (male hormones). Both men and women produce these hormones. The most common one is DHT ( dihydrotestosterone, androsteinedione, testosterone). In men, it is produced in the testicles and adrenal glands. In women, it's produced in the overies and the adrenal glands. These hormones are important for both sexes, though men produce a higher quantity than women.

IIn a person who is susceptible to adrogenetic alopecia, over a period of time, exposure of the hair follicles to the hormone DHT, leads to baldness. The process can be slow or rapid, and there is no exact age for it to occur, though it usually starts at late teens. Genetics can be the reason for some people being more susceptible than others, hence the term hereditary hair loss. Even if any family members are balding, it is not enough to predict that you will also become bald. It is very hard to predict.

However, if you were to discover that you were one of the millions of people who suffer from hereditary hair loss, there is no reason to despair. There are many products and treatments available to help. Some of these products actually help you to re-grow your own hair.