While we often tend to associate baldness with older people, you might be surprised when you begin to notice early signs of balding at a young age. The truth is, there are a lot of people who start to experience these signs as early as in their teenage years. When you notice balding, it’s important to understand why it’s happening and consider if you have any accompanying symptoms. Let’s explore the signs, symptoms, and causes of balding and consider what you can do.

Important things to know about balding

Before we jump into the process of balding and its symptoms, let’s first take a closer look at a couple of important facts that you should know about:

  • Balding can happen to anyone, even if you have thick and healthy hair in general.
  • It’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs every day.
  • By the age of 70, 80% of men[1] have at least some level of hair loss.
  • Hair thinning is common among women, too, affecting about 40% of women by the age of 50.

What is balding?

Balding is a term that refers to hair loss – to the point where you start to have patches on your scalp with no hair. It happens for different reasons. Some people find that their hair starts to become thinner, and then it falls out. Other people may experience a more rapid rate of hair loss.

The symptoms of balding

The main “symptom” of balding is hair loss. You may notice large clumps of hair on the shower floor when you get out, or perhaps you notice your bathtub’s drain gets blocked whenever you decide to take a bath.

There are other symptoms that may show up as well – but this is generally the case if an underlying factor is causing hair loss. The specific symptoms depend on why you’re losing hair and experiencing balding.

Possible causes of balding

Genetics is sometimes one of the first things people look at when they notice early signs of balding. However, while genetics do play a part, there are other reasons why you may notice balding as well.

Alopecia areata, male pattern baldness, and female pattern baldness are examples of conditions that cause balding. Medical conditions like hormonal imbalances and hypothyroidism are also factors that can contribute to balding signs.

You should also understand that being under a lot of stress may contribute to more significant hair loss. However, stress is usually not considered a direct cause of balding.

When is hair loss too much?

As you go about your daily routine, it is normal to lose hair naturally. However, understanding when it’s too much is important.

It’s generally considered normal to lose between 50 and 100 hair strands per day. However, if you notice chunks of hair falling out, such as after a shower, then it’s time to consider seeing your doctor. It could be a symptom of an underlying condition or that you are experiencing early signs of balding.

Early signs of balding you should not ignore

There are several ways to tell if you’re in an early stage of balding. Recognizing these signs early on can help make treatment more effective. Let’s consider some of the main things that you shouldn’t ignore:

  • Thinning hair: For many people, thinning hair is a sign before balding begins to set in. You may notice your hair thinning when you brush it. Sometimes, your scalp becomes more noticeable, especially if you have dark hair.
  • Receding hairline: Your hairline may slowly start to recede. In this case, you’re most likely experiencing a type of balding that causes follicles to stop growing hair. It might be gradual at first, but some people find that this receding hairline speeds up as they get older.
  • Hair falls out in clumps: Normal hair loss happens with just a few strands at a time, and you usually don’t even notice it. However, when you’re experiencing balding, things are different – in this case, your hair is likely to fall out in clumps instead of individual strands.
  • Bald spots: Another thing that you may notice is bald spots on your head. This can happen at any location on your scalp.
  • You’re losing hair all over your body: Some hair loss causes can affect more than just your scalp. You may begin to notice hair falling out in other areas of your body as well.
Dandruff

What NOT to look for

While there are some early signs of balding that you shouldn’t ignore, it’s important to understand that sometimes symptoms don’t necessarily mean you’re going to go bald. Let’s take a look at some things you shouldn’t associate with balding:

  • An itchy scalp: Itchiness on your scalp can feel irritating and even interfere with your daily life, depending on how bad it is. An itchy scalp is usually not something directly related to thinning hair or balding. In this case, you may notice additional symptoms, like scabs on the scalp.
  • Dandruff: Dandruff and scaling of your scalp are also generally not a reason for concern in terms of balding. While it’s not one of the signs of balding, dandruff could point to other underlying factors.
  • Dry hair or split ends: Dry hair is also not going to cause you to experience hair loss. Rather, it’s a sign of dryness. It could be caused by excessive use of heat styling tools or because your hair care products are not the right ones for your hair.
  • A widow’s peak: The classic widow’s peak is quite common and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going bald either.

What are the treatment options?

At this point, you might wonder and ask, “Can hair loss be reversed, or at least stopped?

There are several options that you can consider if you’re struggling with hair loss. However, one of the most important steps is to recognize early signs of balding before they become worse and to understand the cause behind this issue.

For maintenance, consider using a product like the Nufolix hair growth supplement. This supplement introduces your body to a range of natural ingredients that work together to improve hair growth and health.

Some over-the-counter and prescription medicines can sometimes help. This includes topical retinoids, Aldactone, Rogaine, stem cell therapy, and more. Hair transplants can help in cases where it’s not possible for other strategies to reverse balding.

Sometimes, you’ll just need to be patient. For example, when asking how to regain hair loss from stress, you can focus on minimizing your stressors. That will allow you to regrow your hair, but it will take some time.

While there isn’t a magical baldness cure that works for everyone, you can take an individualized approach, talk to your doctor, and target the root cause.

It’s important to understand when to see a doctor. Remember that while there are some alopecia areata self-care options, prescription treatments might be better and more effective.

FAQs

At what age do men start balding?

There’s no specific age that accounts for all men. However, some men may notice early signs of balding in their 30s. It is also possible for these signs to show up even earlier.

Will I go bald if I have thick hair?

Anyone can go bald, even if you generally have very thick hair. It’s important to note that hair thickness doesn’t apply as a risk factor when looking at how likely you are to experience balding.

How to avoid baldness?

Know your risks and practice good habits, like wearing hairstyles that don’t pull the hair. You should also be careful when using hot styling tools on your hair.

Can hair loss be reversed?

It’s sometimes possible to reverse or slow down the process, but it depends on the cause behind the balding.

Can I stop genetic hair loss?

When genetic factors are at play, it may not be possible to stop balding completely. However, there are still things you can do to slow it down significantly.

Outlook

Balding can be concerning, but it’s not something serious. However, there are cases where an underlying disease contributes to hair loss and balding. It’s best to get a checkup with your doctor if you notice early signs of balding. Taking hair growth supplements is one of the best options to explore if you want to stop and possibly reverse the existing signs.