The important thing to remember is that by understanding some of the causal factors, one can actually take precautionary steps to prevent premature hair loss. Hair grows everywhere on the body except the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but eventually some men will notice that their hairline begins to recede with time. As follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about seven inches every year. The hair you can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells. The gradual thinning of hair that comes with age is a natural condition known as involutional alopecia .
Androgenic alopecia is a genetically predisposed condition that can affect both men and women.
Men can begin suffering from hair loss as early as their teens or early 20's. However, most women don't experience noticeable thinning until their 40's or later. The symptoms to look for in men are thinning hair on the scalp, a receding hairline, or a horseshoe shaped pattern that leaves the crown of the head exposed. Extreme hair loss can result from nothing more than stress brought upon by an illness or surgical procedure. Shedding can also be brought on by less dramatic stressful circumstances, like worrying about going bald.