Baldness is not specifically a human trait. The human being has evolved to become a naked monkey. Some primates such as chimpanzees and stump-tailed macaques show progressive thinning of the hair on the scalp after adolescence. A number of other primate species also experience hair loss following puberty, and some primate species had been observed to use an enlarged forehead, created either anatomically and/or through strategies such as frontal balding, to convey an increase in the status and maturity.

The development of a scientific understanding of the evolution of human hair diversity is hindered by the insufficiency of fossil and archeological records of hair. It has been suggested that scalp hair evolved in order to protect the scalp from the harmful effects of the sunlight and to conserve body heat. One theory suggests baldness evolved in males through sexual selection as an improved sign of aging and social maturity, increase in nurturing habits and decrease in aggression and risk-taking behaviors. The Egyptians were the first civilization that dedicated special care to their hair.

Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: March 24, 2009

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• Types of Alopecia
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• Alopecia Areata
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• Traumatic Alopecia
• Anagen Effluvium
• Evaluation and diagnosis of Alopecia
• Medical management of Alopecia
• Hair transplantation
• Bald scalp reduction
• Impact of moder life on Alopecia