August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month, designed to raise awareness about hair loss and the conditions that can cause it. Currently, hair loss affects over 80 million Americans, making it a very common condition. So common, in fact, that 66% of American men will experience some form of hair loss by the time they are 35 years old.

Hair loss doesn’t just affect men. According to recent studies, approximately 40% of people suffering from hair loss are women. Although family history can play a role in hair loss, genetics is not always the cause.

People can suffer hair loss due to stress, disease, diet, medications, and other reasons. That’s why we encourage everyone to observe this month and be proactive about their hair health.

The History of National Hair Loss Awareness Month

Unfortunately, we’re unable to uncover the history behind this month. We conducted a complete Internet search and couldn’t find when this month was established or who initiated it. As far as we can tell, it began sometime around the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. We’ll continue to try to find the origins of this month.

Some Quick Facts About Hair Loss

Although we recommend that everyone suffering from hair loss seek professional medical advice to help them deal with their condition, we do feel that we can list some facts that will give our readers some basic information to help them begin their search. We think that many people will find the following facts quite useful, so let’s take a look at them.

• Male Pattern Baldness can be inherited and usually occurs later in a man’s life.
• Some men may experience Male Pattern Baldness at an earlier age.
• The average person has over 100,000 hairs on their head.
• The average person loses about 50 to 100 hairs naturally each day.
• Traction alopecia is caused by over-styling or pulling the hair back too tightly.
• Using hair dye can have a harmful effect on the hair when done regularly.

Observing National Hair Loss Awareness Month

For anyone experiencing hair loss, this is the month to continue searching for a solution. This may mean seeking medical help if they have a medical condition or are taking medication that is causing hair loss. People can also use the hashtag #HairLossAwarenessMonth on social media.