When discussing baldness, which affects an estimated 40 million men and 20 million women in the United States, the topic is generally about a hereditary condition called androgenetic alopecia. Another cause of baldness is abuse of street drugs like cocaine and many others which do cause hair loss. Another type of baldness that results from hair styling actually can be permanent: Wearing hair pulled so tightly that it places tension on the scalp can result in a condition called traction alopecia.

     Incidence of pattern baldness varies from population to population based on genetic background. Men who start losing their hair at an early age tend to develop more extensive baldness. Of course, aside from all these scientific reasons, baldness could be linked to intellect or wisdom simply because people go bald as they age and become more experienced. Baldness has, in recent years, in any case become less of a (supposed) liability due to an increasing fashionable prevalence of very short, or even completely shaven, hair among men, at least in western countries.

     Causes

     There are many myths regarding the possible causes of baldness and its relationship with one’s virility, intelligence, ethnicity, job, social class, wealth etc. Causes of hair loss can be things such as allergy, prescription drugs side effects and nutrition deficiencies. Some causes, such as hormonal changes, are considered natural, while others signal serious health problems. A biopsy helps determine if the hair follicles are normal; if they are not, the biopsy may indicate possible causes. Read the rest of this entry »