The most common cause of baldness in both men and women is androgenetic alopecia or pattern baldness. This is caused by increased levels of androgens or male hormones. It may be hereditary. You may notice an M-shaped thinning of hair in your temples and crown if you are a male, or thinning in the central and frontal scalp if you are a female. On the other hand, a bald spot on your scalp may be due to alopecia areata. In this condition, your immune system produces antibodies that normally fight off harmful microorganisms, but instead damage your hair follicles, leading to hair loss that appears as smooth round patches.

If you underwent surgery or had a severe illness during the last 3 months, you may also notice hair loss that is more than what you’re used to. As a natural reaction of your body to a stressful life situation, about 50% of your hair enters the resting phase of hair growth. Because shed hair is not immediately replaced, thinning of your hair becomes apparent. This temporary hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Your hair will grow back once the underlying illness resolves. Hormones also play a role in hair loss that is associated with thyroid diseases and pregnancy. An excess or a decrease in your thyroid hormones may lead to alopecia. After giving birth, the abrupt decrease in the level of the female hormone estrogen causes temporary yet massive hair shedding. Other medical conditions that may lead to hair loss include fungal infections, diabetes, lupus and intake of certain medications.

The constant pulling of your hair when you wear pigtails, cornrows or a tight ponytail damages your hair follicles, leading to traction alopecia. Improper and frequent use of hair treatments may also weaken your hair and cause breakage. Some people are unable to control the impulse to pull out their hair. In these cases of trichotillomania, psychological intervention is also necessary. It will guide your dermatologist or hair specialist in deciding which hair loss option is appropriate for you. You may have to receive oral and topical medications, or undergo procedures such as laser hair therapy, hair transplantation, or hair replacement.

Hair loss for men usually starts to occur with the thinning of the hair. When this starts to happen, you will usually notice that your hair is falling out piece by piece or in clumps. Early hair loss in men is also accompanied by a receding hair line. As the hairline continues to recede, a man has a few options. He can begin to cut his hair shorter to cover up the recession, find a hair loss cure, or simply deal with it. To some, it is a big deal to loose their hair, but on the other hand, some men don’t worry about it at all.

Hair loss in men has never been more treatable than it is today. There are many solutions including Rogaine, which is the most popular cure available. Rogaine works in the majority of the men who use it. Hair loss in men can also be combated by topical solutions, or natural remedies, such as vitamins. Another popular remedy for hair loss in men is hair transplantation surgery. This plan of action has become more popular in the last three years due to more professionals practicing this technique and better results from the surgery. This surgery consists of your doctor grafting areas of your scalp that are in good condition to areas that are thinning or balding. More and more men with hair loss are looking in this direction for a cure.

After the Roman Empire fell, the use of wigs was restricted for about a thousand years, until the 16th century. Wigs were worn again because of the hair loss that was common then or in order to boost a person’s appearance. They also solved a hygienic problem caused by head lice, which were highly attracted to natural hair. Shaving the head and wearing a wig more hygienic in olden times.

The 17th century was the time where wigs were introduced as a symbol of social status. Royal patronage played an important role in the revival of wig-wearing. In England, Queen Elisabeth I often wore a curly, red wig, and in France, kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV were responsible for introducing wigs as a part of men’s fashion as early as the 1620s and onwards.

When King Charles II was exiled from France, and then restored to the throne in England in 1660, he introduced long wigs that were to be worn by men. Long hair was in fashion among men since the 1620s. Any man that lacked the long hair could purchase long wigs in order to be part of the trend and styles that were current at the time.

Long wigs also started to be worn as a part of professional costumes. The clerics of the church in England and Ireland wore long wigs at ceremonies. This was also adopted in legal systems, where judges and officials were obligated to wear them. This tradition is still kept in some legal systems around the world today. On the other hand, in France and the United States, long wigs haven’t been worn as a symbol of social status since the early 19th century. Today they are worn for convenience by a lot of people since it is a lot easier to put on an already styled wig when there is not enough time to style your own hair.