All humans shed at least 100 hairs daily but this is unnoticeable given that one’s head has around 100,000 hairs. If one sheds a lot of hair, then they are likely to become bald.
READER: I am 25 years old and already bald. What are the causes of hair loss in young men?
MEDICAL DOCTOR RESPONDS:
Although hair protects us from the sun’s dangerous ultra violet rays, it is largely of cosmetic value, the reason balding can cause stress.
Balding is more common in older people (above 50) and at your age, it may be genetic (male-pattern baldness), which may happen in both men and women as early as 15 years of age.
All humans shed at least 100 hairs daily but this is unnoticeable given that one’s head has around 100,000 hairs. If one sheds a lot of hair, then they are likely to become bald.
Nowadays, many people are balding early because apart from the usual causes of balding, certain other conditions involving today’s lifestyles and the usual disease conditions may on their own or as a combination cause early balding.
Apart from genetics and aging, a male hormone (dihydro-testosterone), and a substance Prostaglandin D2 have been said to be associated with balding in affected people.
Today, people restrict their diets to be or remain ‘slim’ causing a lack of iron and proteins which make up the hair. Some diet restrictions may, however, be due to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.
Also, a number of young people love hair styles (such as dreadlocks) which puts a lot of traction on one’s hair, leading to hair loss.
Other causes include stress, smoking (especially shisha), and using anabolic steroids.
