There are about 100,000 strands of hair in an average person’s head and around 50 to 100 strands per day are naturally shed. Hair has its own growth cycle too, which consists of three phases: (1) anagen, (2) catagen, and (3) telogen. The anagen phase is known as the active or growth stage, which lasts for 3 years. Catagen is the phase wherein a strand is being shed from its root and its nutrient-rich blood supply; this phase lasts for about 2-3 weeks. Telogen is the resting stage of hair follicle, which lasts for about 100 days.

Alopecia or balding or hair loss in women and men occurs when the hair follicles stay in catagen and telogen longer than the growth phase (anagen). Another cause of hair loss is malnutrition, which can be prevented by having a diet consisting of protein- and iron-rich food. Medications can also cause alopecia. Birth control pills and medication for depression, heart problems, arthritis, and high-blood pressure may cause hair loss in some people. Diseases such as diabetes and lupus are sometimes indicated by hair loss. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation procedures can cause balding; but hair usually grows back after the treatment.

In almost all cases of hair loss in women and men, the frustrating hair condition is caused by the buildup of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the scalp. The accumulation of DHT in the scalp damages the hair follicles by causing them to miniaturize (shrink), in turn, causing alopecia. This type of hair loss is known as androgenic alopecia, more known as male- or female-pattern baldness. The type of hair loss that is due to the scarring and inflammation of the hair follicles is called cicatricial alopecia. Another type of hair loss is traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by frequent straining of the hair from excessive pulling and styling. An abnormality in the hair growth cycle can cause hair loss; this type of alopecia is known as telogen effluvium.

With all these causes and types of hair loss in women and men, they all boil down to the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and its damaging effects on the hair follicles. Therefore, stopping hair loss is achieved with the use of hair loss products that contain saw palmetto extracts. This natural ingredient functions as a DHT inhibitor, hence able to stop hair loss and prevent further baldness. As opposed to an all-chemical-content hair loss treatment, a hair loss product with organic ingredients cannot cause harmful side effects. Any type of hair loss due to any cause is best cured with a hair loss product that contains plant extracts or natural and organic-based ingredients.