Hair Loss or Thinning Hair?

Individuals with above-average hair loss experience a shorter growth phase and a longer resting phase than normal. When the resting phase lasts too long, the papilla or hair root shrinks and is incapable of producing a normal hair. At this point, when and if the hair does re-grow, the hair is thinner and grows more slowly on certain areas of the head usually associated with pattern baldness.

Up to 50 percent of hair loss in a given area has already occurred before it becomes obvious. In other words, you may lose half of your hair without hair loss being too obvious. Therefore, most individuals tend to be unaware of the problem until hair loss has reached an advanced stage.