Nobody is happy to discover they are losing their hair. The question that immediately comes to mind is, "why do we lose our hair?"

The human hair has a two to six year growth cycle. At any given time, 90% of the hairs are actively growing. They grow about 1 centimeter each month. This is a little less than half an inch. The other 10% are in a resting state. After about two to three months in a resting state, the hair falls out and a new hair begins to grow. So, there is a constant, but slow replacement of all the hairs on the human head. So, what causes hair loss beyond this normal replacement process?

There are many short term causes for hair loss. Hair loss often takes place in the period following certain illnesses or major surgery. This is related to the stress caused by these events. In fact, stress has been connected to hair loss in many cases, although the exact relationship is not well understood.

Certain hormonal problems can also contribute to short term hair loss. The thyroid gland is often involved in this. Either an over active or under active thyroid condition can lead to short term hair loss. Also, an unbalance in male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens have been associated with hair loss. For example, women who have recently had a baby can experience some short term hair loss as a result of the hormonal unbalance of the pregnancy.

The most common cause of long term hair loss is a condition known as male pattern baldness. This is a genetic condition and results in a gradual recession of the hair line. Although it is most often seen in males, female pattern baldness is not entirely unknown. The onset of male pattern baldness varies from person to person. Although it is more common for it to begin in middle age, it can sometimes begin as early as the late teens.

Another factor associated with hair loss is improper care of the hair. Certain hair styles and neglect of proper hair cleaning and grooming have led to damaged hair and resulted in premature hair loss. These are some of the causes of hair loss. This is actually a very complex subject and there is no simple answer that explains all cases. Each individual case must be evaluated separately in order to determine the exact cause. Some times the hair loss is temporary and the cause can be eliminated or retarded, other times it is the result of a more permanent condition.

Each hair on the human scalp has a defined life cycle. Each hair remains on the scalp for about four and one-half years. During that time, it grows at the rate of around one-half inch per month. The death of a single hair leads to the loss of that hair.

Normally, each lost hair is replaced. A new hair grows out of the hair follicle that once held the old, lost hair. If the scalp fails to produce a new hair, then the head of hair on that scalp will be minus one hair. If that should happen repeatedly, it would lead to thinning hair and appreciable hair loss. Hair loss is caused by the failure of the body to replace hairs, as they complete their life cycle.

Anything that can impede the creation of new hair can cause hair loss. Anything that can aid the creation of new hairs can promote hair replacement. Rogaine is a hair loss product that aids hair replacement. Rogaine increases the production of amino acids, the building blocks of the proteins in each hair. Supplied with the proper building blocks, a healthy hair should undergo its expected cycle of hair growth.

Rogaine represents one type of hair treatment. Use of Rogaine does not promise to give a man a permanent head of new hair. A man who wants a permanent solution to his hair loss problem needs to consider other hair treatments.

Medical hair restoration provides a man with a permanent head of hair. The hair restoration specialist redistributes the hair on the man's scalp. The best candidates for such hair restoration are those who have demonstrated signs of male pattern baldness.

Research has revealed the link between the levels of DHT and the appearance of male-patterned baldness. Medicines that block the transformation of testosterone into DHT have become an important component of the available techniques for hair restoration. . Such medicines contain the chemical finesteride. The finesteride molecule fits into a slot on the enzyme that catalyzes the production of DHT. In that way it prevents completion of all the biochemical steps that insure the production of DHT.

Some post-menopausal women exhibit an increase in the amount of testosterone in their body. Women who have rising testosterone levels can anticipate possible hair loss. Female hair loss has been linked to the appearance of high testosterone levels in post menopausal women.

Failed hair growth does not always produce hair loss on the scalp. Failed hair growth can lead to loss of hair in a man's beard or in the eyebrows of a man or a woman. Patchy hair growth on the scalp or face is called alopecia areata.

An understanding of failed hair growth requires an analysis of normal hair growth. Like all types of growth, hair growth requires cell division, leading to the production of new cells. New hair cells form within the hair bulb. If that bulb receives plenty of nourishment, then the new cells grow at the expected rate, and old dead hairs have the desired replacement.

Hair loss prevention begins with the provision of proper nourishment to the growing hair cells. Anything that slows the flow of blood to the hair bulb can hamper hair growth. Smoking reduces blood flow, and it has been linked to hair loss. A smoker would have little reason to use a hair loss shampoo, because his or her continued smoking would reverse the benefits provided by the use of such shampoos.

Hair restoration promises permanent hair replacement. Patients who pursue hair restoration can choose between laser hair restoration and traditional hair restoration. Both procedures call for placement of individual hairs in tiny indentations on the scalp. During a laser hair restoration, those indentations are made by a laser beam, rather than a surgical needle.

Of course, not everyone wants to face the prospect of surgery in order to gain a new head of hair. For that reason, scientists continue to pursue other hair loss treatments.

In America, there are about 20 Million females and 40 Million males who are suffering from thinning hair and significant hair loss.

Ninety-five percent of these hair loss cases are caused by hereditary factors. Meanwhile, the other five percent is usually caused by chemotherapy or Alopecia Acreata, the condition where the hair follicles are attacked by the immune system that causes hair loss.

For chemotherapy and Alopecia Acreata, there are several available hair restoration solutions that promote good hair restoration healing. However, whatever affordable hair replacement treatment you want to use, you should first consult with a health care provider to make sure you avoid interfering with any of the other best hair regrowth product treatments being used.

Generally, hair loss replacement methods cover four main types. These are: medication, scalp reduction, hair transplants and hair flaps.

Hair loss medications come in several varieties. However, when buying a medication always make sure it is approved by the FDA. This helps make sure the product will not cause any harmful effects and that they’re not a one time hair loss treatment.

Scalp reduction on the other hand is the process where the large part of the hairless scalp area undergoes a surgical removal procedure. They’ll use special elastic devices which are placed beneath the skin’s surface to reduce the affected scalp area.

Meanwhile, hair transplant uses one’s own hair itself to cover the thinning sections. Small portions of your actual hair are moved from regions of the scalp where hair still grows and it is moved to the hairless sections of your scalp.

However, there have been some flaws with this process. The hairs that have been transplanted actually grow fine; however, sometimes this new hair re-growth becomes too obvious, similar to the hair scalp of a doll. Hence, an awkward look can occasionally be created.

But modern surgeons have been able to improve on these older hair restoration healing and hair transplant techniques. Today, hair transplant usually looks very natural. This is caused by advance technology where transplanting of the hair can be done with just one to two hair follicles at a time.

There is also an enhanced substitute for getting a hair transplant which is with modern hair restoration medicines and these may be the lower cost yet best product for hair loss. These medicines usually come in creams or pills.

The final option is the hair flap. This is actually another technique similar to hair replacement methods listed above. In this process, the scalp areas with hair are moved along with the intact blood supply to the areas where no hair follicles currently reside.

However, this kind of technique can involve some possible complications. So be sure that you understand this technique very well before finally agreeing to undergo this procedure.

Naturally, hair replacement is a booming industry today. However, it is still a fact that the best cure for hair loss has not yet been created.

Even with this, there are still millions of people who are willing to try virtually any method in the hope to recover their thinning hair. Because of this, there are still on-going hair loss treatment developments every year.

And according to some researches, in the near future even more successful alternatives will be created that will resolve permanent hair loss conditions.

Today trying hair replacement methods has become the norm for people experiencing thinning hair. Yet if you are planning to undergo hair replacement therapy, it is always better to first consult with a health care provider. These are the knowledgeable individuals who will recommend the current best treatments for hair loss for you.

Think of giving hair replacement surgery a try but don't know if you have what it takes?

The most important thing you need to know is that since hair transplant will be done using your own hair, is you must have enough hair to be transplanted. This 'donor hair' will extracted from the back of your head where the hair is miraculously immune to the activities of DHT. However, your doctor will perform an in-depth hair analysis upon consultation based on your:

Number of grafts required to meet your expectations
Density of donor hair
Color of hair
Skin complexion
Texture of hair
Future hair loss projections

There are also patients who want to wait until they thinning hair become bald spots before they go for hair replacement surgery, because surgery is supposed to be their last resort. Not only will this situation work against them due to less hair to work with, there is really no point in waiting because hair loss will only increase with age and do not stop by itself unless you find the right treatment for it.

Ideally, if you are above thirty, go for it. This is because people in their twenties have not develop a fixed pattern of hair loss that doctor can use to guide customize their surgery on. Most people don't lose hair until they are thirty anyway.

There are no minimum age for hair transplant, with people in their early twenties going for transplant before their hair loss become apparent. You should consider doing it as soon as possible if your family members are known to suffer from hair loss as most hair loss cases are hereditary.

Many people turn to hair extensions to change their looks and, in turn, to change their lives. This makes for big business for cosmetologists trained in hair extension application. Unfortunately, hair extensions can be expensive. Retail prices of hair extensions make them cost-prohibitive for most salons and hairdressers. Luckily, wholesale hair extensions are available for professional hairdressers. The following is a partial list of companies offering hair extensions and supplies at wholesale prices.

Sexy Hair Extensions

Sells wholesale supplies and extensions to hairdressers. For example, they sell pre-bonded 14- or 18-inch extensions in bundles of 100 strands for $147.

Roman Hair

Offers 100-percent Remy Indian hair extensions. They offer wholesale hair extensions to resellers and salons.

Hairpiece

This site offers a large variety of hair extension products, such as synthetic hair, extension kits, tubing, clip-ons, wefts, and fusion equipment. To qualify for their wholesale pricing, you must fill out a resale registration form, available on their website. The first order must be at least $2,000 to qualify for discounts.

Hair Replacement Centers

Hair Replacement Centers helps people with hair loss or balding. However, they offer an assortment of European hair extensions from such vendors as Jose Eber, Raquel Welch, Ren of Paris, Revlon, Look of Love, Flawless, and Graffiti. They offer discounts on orders of over 10 sets. They also offer a business opportunity for people interested in opening a Hair Replacement Center. Additionally, they give a discount of 70-percent for Internet orders.

For other wholesale hair extensions, you can check industry books. Hairdresser or cosmetologist trade magazines offer ads for hair extensions. You can also do a search on a search engine for “wholesale hair extensions.” Many of these companies will require proof that you are a professional hairdresser, while some are willing to extend wholesale prices to the public with a minimum purchase.

Surgical hair replacement promises permanent hair after experiencing balding. In fact, some would want to opt for this kind of hair replacement method because they would look like as if they got their hair back. It is a solution that would make any person says it's worth the cost after being desperate of getting away from the devastating effect of balding. However, before deciding to accept hair replacement surgery, it is best to first look at what you need to consider:

• Since it involves surgery, it is important that you have an experienced and expert hair transplant surgeon. Surgery is done by getting a donor site where there is still hair and distributes it in the balding area by patterns. If the result is not good, it can be repeated once or twice but the remaining hair may be damaged due to constant transplants. It is then important that with the precious hair left, these will be utilized in the surgery properly otherwise it may be damaged and cease to be useful.
• It involves a lot of money. If you have settled this in mind already, then by all means you can go ahead and spend considerably. But be sure that you have a surgeon that can provide you a result that's worth the cost.
• Hair replacement surgery needs to be done at the early stage of balding where there are still some hairs left as donors. Without hair left, it is impossible for the surgery to take place.
• There could be discomfort after the surgery. Scarring and itching is the most common complains after the surgery but definitely there are remedies for this. It takes about a few months before you get over these effects.

Most of the time, the hair surgeon will give you these factors to consider before taking the surgery. If the surgeon does not discuss these matters to you, better look for other hair replacement surgeon who would care enough to guide you of what you will go through with the choice. Or you may opt for the non-surgical hair replacement which also has its pros and cons for evaluation.

Whether you live in Oklahoma or not, you definitely share the same fear and anxiety that people all over the United States feel whenever they are faced with the problem of losing their hair. Having a healthy and abundant growth of hair on one's head has always been linked to a person's self-image, and the initial stages of hair loss can be awkward, confusing or even frightening. A person who suffers from hair loss would want to know what hair replacement options, Oklahoma-based, that he or she has and how he or she will cope with life literally without hair.

Any doctor operating from a clinic that specializes in providing hair replacement options, Oklahoma or wherever else, will tell any patient that there are three popular options for hair loss treatment. These hair replacement options are, namely, undergoing hair transplantation surgery, application of medicine formulated to encourage hair growth, and wearing a hair replacement unit or a wig. Each of these three choices has its own implications to the patient should he or she chooses it.

Hair transplantation surgery involves grafting individual hairs to the scalp. The hair will be planted into the scalp in such a way that it would follow the natural growth pattern of the hair. The cost of surgery depends on the extent of the baldness to be treated; it also varies from state to state. However, not all people suffering from hair loss are good candidates for hair transplantation surgery, and physicians often advice their patients to treat their problem through medicinal means first before going through surgery.

The most prescribed medicine for treating hair loss are Propecia and Rogaine. Propecia is the brand name of finasteride, a formulation that is supposed to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that transforms free testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the major culprit to hair loss. Finasteride is proven clinically effective in encouraging growth of hair in the crown area, but the re-growth only takes place as long as the drug is taken in. Finasteride, however, cannot be taken by pregnant women or potentially pregnant women because it results in birth defects on male babies. Rogaine, on the other hand, is the brand name of minoxidil and is applied topically to the scalp. Re-growth is just as effective as finasteride, although it may take longer; re-growth also stops when the application of the drug is ceased.

The third option would be to wear a wig. Wigs are convenient, but the fear of being found out that one is wearing a wig causes as much anxiety as the condition of baldness itself. Wig adhesives can also cause irritation to the skin if not properly cleaned.

Experiencing hair loss is not the end; there are hair replacement options, Oklahoma and elsewhere, that one can always consider. What one should do is to explore these options and to choose wisely.