Hair loss in both men and women is defined as Alopecia. Alopecia is the termed used to describe the loss or thinning of hair. This condition is classified into varying categories, including scarring alopecia and non-scarring alopecia. Unlike scarring alopecia, whereby all hair follicles are destroyed and rendered useless, non-scarring alopecia may be reversed.

Hair is cyclical. In fact, most hair loss is part of our normal growth cycles. Three phases occur in the production and reproduction of body hair. These phases are referenced as the anagen growth phase, catagen involutional phase, and the telogen resting phase. [1] It is not unusual for one to lose an average of 50 to 100 hairs per day during the resting, or latent phase of the hair cycle (telogen). New hair will eventually replace these lost hairs.

A legitimate concern arises when there is noticeable thinning or baldness. The defining factors determining this type of hair loss can range from genetic pre-disposition to a particular vitamin and/or mineral deficiency. The thinning or balding of hair is not an immediate threat to ones physical health, but often adversely effects an individual’s psychological well-being.

Other causes of common hair loss may include; prescription drug therapies, skin disorders, autoimmunity, severe stress, scalp radiation, pregnancy, diseases, bacterial infections, excessive androgen production, and over processed hair. Genetic predisposition remains the greatest determinant in the balding of hair - some 95% of both men and women.