Really Early Hair Loss Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

It's never too early to go bald. Some men start losing their hair before they're even out of high school! Balding isn't something that only happens to over-40's! Look out for the early warning signs, and you can save your full head.

There aren't many ways to re-grow hair without surgery or grafts. These are costly procedures that aren't always effective. However, if you can catch the loss before it turns you bald, you can slow down or stop the process. There are lots of easy ways to do this, including over-the-counter products. For this reason, it's important to recognize the warning signs.

1. Thinning or the beginning of a bald spot: Most of us start balding with a horseshoe-shaped "receding hairline." Look at a picture from last year and compare. This is the easiest early warning sign. You can also feel when there's an area of your scalp that's thinning. If you feel the beginning of a bald spot, now's the time to act.

2. A change in pattern of growth: If the part moves, or some section of starts to grow in another direction, this might be a sign that your follicles are conspiring against you. It often seems like a cow-lick that you've never had before. This can be a sure sign that you've got the makings of a future bald spot.

3. Excessive amounts of hair in the sink or on the brush. We all lose it by brushing and washing. Most men in their 20's lose a little now and then because their scalps are still changing. But excessive loss is a sign that something is wrong.

4. Baldness in the family. New studies have shown that the genetic causes of baldness are not as strong as we thought. In other words, anyone can go bald. Just because you're grandpas have full heads doesn't mean you can't lose yours. However, if you have male pattern baldness in the family, it's a sign that it is more likely to strike you.

Baldness can be caused by other things as well. Stress can be a cause, and so can certain medications. If you're not sure, you can always talk to your doctor about it. They have ways of examining your scalp under high magnification to see if there is any problem. Hair can be saved more easily than replaced, so start treating the problem right away.

It's a major shock to a young man to realize he's starting to lose his hair... especially when he's right out of college! You always pictured your future fully haired. But don't despair. Recognize these early warning signs, and you can get to work stopping it before you go bald.