Hair loss is incredibly common among men, which is often more comforting in theory than it is in practice if you are experiencing a thinning on top. Now, it is worth pointing out that hair loss doesn’t bother everyone; some men embrace it and go for the shaved head look; however, if it is affecting your self-confidence, then you should definitely address it. There are several routes that are worth exploring if you are losing your hair; let’s explore.
Hair Loss & it’s Causes
Obviously, hair loss as a concept is rather self-explanatory, that being said, there are a few areas of confusion which need to be addressed. Hair loss isn’t solely limited to the head; it can affect body hair too. It does not always lead to complete baldness either; sometimes, it simply thins the hair or leaves a man bald on top, with the hair around the sides largely untouched. Hair loss also tends to go unnoticed until a significant portion – often around twenty per cent – of the hair has already gone.
There are a number of things that can cause hair loss. It tends to have a genetic component, and it is hereditary for the most part. Male patterned baldness or androgenic alopecia to give it its medical name. If you have this form of hair loss, it should be clear in the male figures in your family. The hair loss is often relentless, and it doesn’t grow back. Your diet can actually be contributing to your hair loss too. Failing to get the proper nutrition because of a poor diet can lead to a vitamin deficiency which can cause hair loss. A crash diet or extreme weight loss can also cause a physical toll on the body akin to a trauma, making the hair thin. However, changing your diet can reverse this process.
Most other forms of hair loss tend to be temporary, although they may also be pervasive depending on the cause, of course. Hair loss can be triggered by mental or physical trauma; when the body experiences trauma, the shedding process can suddenly speed up. Think of the hair loss associated with chemotherapy. In cases of telogen effluvium – or hair loss due to physical trauma – the hair loss tends to be rapid and dramatic, but it usually ceases once the body has recovered. In cases of alopecia areata – which tends to be triggered by stress – the hair may or may not grow back, but it tends to be limited to a few areas as opposed to all over.
Normal vs Abnormal Hair Loss
Shedding hair is perfectly normal. In fact, most people tend to lose up to a hundred strands a day. This can make it tricky to work out whether or not your hair loss is normal. Catching your hair loss as soon as possible in order to be able to take the preventative steps necessary to slow the rate of hair loss and find a more permanent solution. Often – with male patterned baldness especially – thinning hair happens so gradually that it is difficult to notice; the hairline starts to recede first, with a general thinning on the top of the head.
On the other hand, temporary conditions can occur more quickly. The hair loss can be incredibly sudden. Although, the odds of experiencing this are lower. Most of the time, this form of hair loss tends to be symptomatic of a larger issue, such as stress or a poor diet, as mentioned above, which does mean that it should be reversible. However, if you are having trouble pinpointing the root of the issue, then it might be worth making an appointment to see your doctor.
Preventative Measures to Explore
Truthfully, if your hair loss is hereditary, then there may not be much that you can do to prevent it from happening entirely; however, early intervention can help to slow the progress of your hair loss and potentially help you to retain more hair for longer. Preventative measures are worth exploring, but your hair loss may eventually progress past this point and instead necessitate the need for treatment.
As mentioned above, your diet and stress can contribute to your hair loss. A good diet can promote healthy hair. Protein, omega 3, zinc and iron all have links to hair health and growth, so ensuring that you include them in your diet is a must. Limiting junk food and ensuring that you are fulfilling your calorie requirements is also important. Stress management techniques can also prove invaluable to help you to cope with your daily stresses and therefore reduce the rate of hair loss.
Lastly, you might want to consider how you are treating your hair. There are several style choices that could exacerbate your hair loss. Tension alopecia can occur in those who like to wear tight hairstyles. Frequently styling your hair with heat can cause damage which can make your hair weaker and lead to damage and breakages. Your styling products also matter; you can find a number of hair growth shampoos here from Chemist4U, which can help to promote new growth.
Treatments for Hair Loss
Once the hair loss has moved past the point where preventative measures are effective, you can consider several other treatment options. The treatments themselves tend to range in both their effectiveness and their invasiveness. The least invasive treatments tend to be topical creams and ointments like minoxidil which is applied to the thinning areas. The creams tend to prove most effective when paired with oral medications like finasteride. It is worth pointing out that the treatments are only effective for as long they are carried out. Once the treatment is ceased, the hair loss will continue.
After that, the next treatment to consider is a little more invasive and requires regular doctor visits. After having your hair loss formally diagnosed, your doctor might choose to offer you a series of steroid injections which can help to encourage regrowth and fortify the existing follicles. Your doctor might also choose to offer you light therapy or even immunotherapy, depending on the diagnosed cause of your hair loss.
Lastly, and obviously, the most invasive treatment would be a hair transplant. It is one of the best treatments in terms of its longevity, but it is also a huge decision to make. This is because you would have to pay for this procedure out of pocket because it is not available on the NHS. You also need to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure, you need to have good donor hair, and your hair loss needs to have reached a plateau otherwise, you risk losing the newly transplanted hair.
The Bottom Line
A lot of men will experience hair loss in one form or another over the course of their lives, and there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. Some men do choose to embrace it, and there are a lot of people that do indeed find a bald head sexy. However, if you want to do something about your hair loss, there are many options available to you. The right course of treatment will depend on the cause of your hair loss, of course. For the best results and treatment plan for you, it might make sense to consult a professional.
