The Bald Facts on Hair Loss

The Story Men and women are both terrified of hair loss, but too few people understand the underlying causes. Part of what’s so scary about hair loss is that it seems so entirely out of our hands, a kind of curse of genetics, but that’s not entirely true. Yes, genetics definitely play a role in causing hair loss, but lots of other lifestyle factors can come into play, even for people who aren’t genetically predisposed to hair loss. And if you know what those factors are, and take them into account, you can give your hair a better chance at sticking around, even if you are genetically predisposed to hair loss. Sounds like a good deal, right? RELATED: Why Men Go Bald and What to Do About It Well, as it so happens, August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month, and the good folks over at LaserCap, makers of one of the most promising, FDA-cleared hair loss treatments on the market, have put together a handy infographic explaining all of the possible causes of hair loss for both men and women, as well as how prevalent it is and what kind of emotional toll hair hair loss can inflict on people. The Snapshot First off, a round of applause for LaserCap, because rarely is so much truth delivered in such a concise format. Notice that they acknowledge the huge role that genetics play (the "leading culprit" of hair loss, after all), while still showing all of the contributing factors. Yes, indeed, your regular after-work cigarette and sugar-rich diet aren't doing your follicles any good, and you might want to consider cutting them out. And exercise has all kinds of benefits beyond just improving the blood flow in your scalp, so why not establish a regular exercise regime? And if you want to be proactive rather than reactive, consider getting a prescription for one of the two FDA-approved hair loss treatments, minoxidil or finasteride, or making a less-systemic commitment by trying out the LaserCap to harness the powers of low-level light therapy. The Lesson Hair loss causes both men and women a lot of anxiety, and for perfectly understandable reasons. After all, the way we look is intimately tied to our self-esteem, and hair forms a big part of our identity from an early age. But you don''t have to despair over hair loss. First, you can take active steps to strengthen your hair follicles and avoid all the foods and habits that harm them. Next, you can use your anxiety over hair loss as a motivating factor to make other aspects of your life better, including your diet and exercise habits.  You Might Also Dig: Best Products for Thinning HairTips to Prevent Hair LossBest Shampoos for Men