Men and women wake up every single day with strands of hair in their shoulders, pillows, and shower floors. Hair fall is attributed to a lot of reasons including certain illnesses, improper diet, too much exposure to the sun, intense styling, and stress.

Hair loss may be due to a gamut of causes like aging, hormonal change, and genetics. While some people attribute it to vitamin deficiencies, dandruff, and excessive hat wearing, these theories have been disproved by medical experts. Hair loss is primarily determined by a person’s genes. It does not matter whether a person is a male or a female. If baldness runs in the family, then the chances of being bald are greater. A person with an immediate family member who is balding will be most likely to experience baldness in his or her lifespan.

There is an unwritten rule among hair loss experts that the earlier the condition begins, the more extensive and severe one’s baldness will become. Luckily, there are several hair replacement methods that could help us cope with baldness. There are methods that involve surgery and there are those that do not. Non-surgical methods are mostly wigs, hairpieces, and hair extensions. Of course, these alternatives do not really restore hair permanently. This is why more and more people choose to undergo hair transplant surgery as a permanent restoration solution.

However, not everyone who seek treatment can be candidates for transplant surgery. It’s important to understand that all hair replacement techniques use a person’s existing set of follicles. The goal of surgery is to find the most efficient use for existing hair. Thus, this technique is only ideal for those people who have ample hair growth at the back and sides of their head. Ample growth in these areas is a requirement to anyone wanting to undergo hair transplant because donor grafts and flaps are taken from these areas.

There are various techniques that are used by professionals when doing hair transplant. There are times when two or more techniques are done in one patient to achieve the best results. These techniques include punch grafts, mini-grafts, micro-grafts, slit grafts, strip grafts, flaps, tissue-expansion, and scalp reduction. The first five procedures are done for people who seek modest addition to their hair fullness. The last three, on the other hand, are procedures that are done for patients who want to have a more dramatic change in the appearance of their hair.

A hair transplant procedure can boost a person’s appearance and self confidence. Color, texture, waviness, and curliness will be affected by the procedure. As such, surgeons warn that it may take some time for someone to adjust their newly replaced hair.

Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss. This syndrome, also known as androgenic alopecia is characterized by a slow recession of the frontal hairline in a horseshoe-like pattern. While hair loss on the lateral sides of the head is most common; the condition can also trigger an additional bald patch on top of the head. Some develop this condition as early as their teen years, however most men begin loosing their hair in their 20′s.

Modern science has not determined the exact specific causation of this form of hair loss. What is known is that the condition is largely genetic and was believed to be inherited from the maternal grandfather; however newer studies show a genetic connection to both parents’ hereditary lines.

Androgenic alopecia has been linked to a powerful sex hormone known as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, DHT begins to shrink the hair follicles. This is known as follicular miniaturization. Over time, the size of the hair follicle decreases. Eventually it is reduced to a fragile, fuzzy layer called vellus hair and then disappears entirely.

There have been a few misconceptions or myths regarding hair loss throughout the years. Though some suggestion might have some hypothetical merit and might contribute to the already existing issue, none have been substantiated in scientific studies. These include:

Baldness vs intelligence

This theory evolved in ancient times from the notion that most balding men in that society were wealthy, had formal educations and more sedentary lifestyles. One possible reason for this is sufficient fat in their diet as DHT is manufactured in the body from cholesterol. The proposed link becomes less viable in modern times as diet no longer directly corresponds with economic standing. Most likely, it is simply as issue of age and experience resulting in wisdom and men lose hair as they age.

Stress causes your hair to fall out

Although stress levels can accelerate baldness in those genetically predisposed to it, there has been no significant and conclusive evidence that it is the cause.

Wearing hats causes baldness

Frequent use of hats also contributes to hair breakage, but not hair loss. However, because most hats are not frequently washed, they can lead to infections of the scalp. Infections can cause inflammation of the scalp which can restrict healthy hair growth and cause some hair loss not associated with androgenic alopecia.

Essential oils are one of the safest, most effective and natural ways to promote hair growth, prevent hair loss and generally improve hair health.