Hair loss (alopecia or baldness)

There are approximately 100,000 hair follicles on the scalp. Hair is the second fastest growing tissue in the human body, the first being bone marrow. The rate of hair growth is about 1.25 cm (0.5 inches) per month. With age the speed of hair growth significantly slows down, and may turn out to be only 0.25 cm (0.1 inch) a month. Baldness becomes visible only when the amount of lost hair approaches to 50%. Hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common form of hair loss in men, and is responsible for more than 95% of all cases of baldness. Hair are a protein product of follicles and so are sensitive to changes within the body, and hair loss is often the result of an internal disorder. What is hair loss? Hair loss (alopecia) is a tendency of follicles to stop producing hair growth, leading to a decrease in the amount of hair. Although alopecia can occur anywhere on the body, it is especially distressing when it affects the scalp. It usually develops gradually and may be patchy or diffuse.