In a perfect world, only aged, retired men need to worry about losing their hair. But the world is not perfect and so is our hair. Recent studies show that teens of both genders are as likely to develop hair loss as older men. Testosterone is the culprit and the leading cause of hair loss. Since teens' bodies are not yet completely differentiated from each other (male or female), each have testosterone in significant amounts. Add to that the stress of homework, dating, and the general quality of teenage life, and teens are more likely to tear their hair out.

Since teens are not capable of paying for expensive hair treatments or hair implants, their only options are prevention and disguise. It is easy to prevent hair loss with proper hair care and treatment. It is natural to shed hair, but excessive shedding needs medical attention. Consult a doctor in cases of extreme hair fall in your teen. Excessive hair fall includes shedding locks of hair at times and hair fall with no apparent trigger. It might be a deficiency in vitamins or minerals which can be easily addressed by supplements or a symptom of an illness. In any case, seek medical attention before attempting to do anything with your teen's hair. If the cause of hair fall is nutrient deficiency, ensure that your teen takes the prescribed supplements religiously to prevent further hair fall. If it is a symptom of a disease, take your teen to a hairdresser. Ask the hairdresser to cut your teen's hair in a style that hides the thinning portion. A shorter 'do also reduces the trauma of seeing longer locks fall off. Get your teen a mild cleanser or even baby shampoo during hair fall phase. This prevents irritations to the exposed scalp and hair breakage.

Hair loss cannot be reversed overnight. While waiting for the effects of the medication or during the treatment, you can help your teen with hair disguises. If your teen decides he wants to use a wig, bring a lock of hair to the wig shop where they can make a wig similar to your teen's hair type. Hats are good options to hide thinning hair. The basic ball cap is casual and fit for everyday wear. Hats are made with different materials. Just pick one that lets the scalp skin breathe out but does not let sun and heat penetrate. Scarves, turbans, and shawls are great and fashionable options for your teen.

It is tragic to suffer from hair loss during the stage when appearance matter most. Don't let hair loss weigh your teen down. Provide support and treat the condition positively to influence your teen facing this challenge.