Hair loss in men can be one of the most annoying conditions for many. Most men consider their hair to be an important part of their identity and personality; without hair many men can begin to lose their personality and self-confidence.

Next thing you know they start to watch those late night infomercials offering a miracle cure for hair loss, and before they realise it, they have become the proud owners of a medicine cabinet full of useless items. Many myths have been spread about hair loss in men via these infomercials.

The Myths

• It used to be considered that hair loss in men was a prerogative of the elderly, but we now know that is not the case. These days hair loss can happen to people as young as 20 (both men and women).
• Some doctors claim that stress will cause your hair to fall out. Although this has not been determined to be a factual cause of severe hair loss in men, it has, however, been determined that men who are stressed as a result of their daily life will lose more than the average 100 hairs per day.
• Despite some claims, tight fitting hats do not cause loss of hair. There has been no proven hair loss caused by a hat being too tight and cutting the blood circulation to the hair follicles. You would experience a severe headache long before you would lose any hair.
• They say hair being dirty will damage it and cause it to fall out. Not true. The worst thing that can be caused by having dirty hair is scalp irritation; nothing that a good wash wont cure. After all, have you ever seen a picture of a bald caveman? No, I thought not.
• Shaving your head will make the hair grow back thicker and fuller. Dont you believe it. In point of fact, it will have the opposite effect. If you shave your head while you are suffering from hair loss, it could just quicken the loss.
• Severe cases of dandruff cause hair loss in men. Again, just not true. Dandruff is a scalp condition and has absolutely nothing to do with the hair or the hair follicles.

The Real Cause

The true cause of hair loss in men is largely down to genetics. From puberty to adulthood, androgens interact with the genetically determined, highly sensitive hair follicles. This process degrades the hair follicles, causing alteration of the hair growth cycle. This will eventually lead to baldness.

Hair loss in men can be lessened - and in some cases even stopped. However, first you need to have the correct information on your own particular hair loss situation, and then you need to find the right medication according to that situation. Remember, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to slow or stop your hair loss.