Signs of Baldness

Baldness affects millions of middle-aged people each year, and detecting the signs of baldness is fundamental to trying to treat this problem. But for many, it's a losing battle.

Background

• The most common form of baldness in males and females alike is pattern baldness, which is a result of genetics, while baldness is also affected by aging and hormones.

Causes

• Hair loss caused by pattern baldness, as opposed to hair loss due to medication, poor diet, and certain diseases, is permanent; it may be slowed down, but the process of pattern baldness cannot be reversed.

Receding Hair Line

• The signs of this type of baldness begin at the hairline, where the hairline begins to recede to create an "M" shape.

Thinning of the Hair

• With overall thinning, hair at the hairline becomes thinner and finer, and the same happens to the hair at the crown of the head.

The Horseshoe Shape

• Eventually, the thinning hair on the hairline recedes to the crown, and falls off completely. When this occurs, a "horseshoe" shape forms on the top of the head from hairless scalp.

Abnormal Hair Loss

• Hair loss in patches, shredded hair, split or broken hairs, or hair loss accompanied by rashes, pain or rapid hair loss should be addressed by a medical doctor promptly; these are not signs of typical balding and could be caused by a medical condition.