What Causes Hair Loss in Men?

As guys, it is essential for us to maintain a close watch on the state of our hair and scalp health. Loss of hair is a common problem that can be brought on by a wide range of different things.

If we are able to identify the factors that contribute to the problem, we will be more equipped to find a solution and maintain the health of our hair.

Permanent or partial hair loss might affect one location or the whole body. Hormonal shifts, medical disorders, hereditary factors and the natural ageing process are all potential causes. Hair loss on the scalp is frequent among men but can happen to anyone.

In most cases, baldness is caused by increased hair loss on the scalp. Genetic hair loss associated with ageing is the most common cause of hair thinning.

If you've noticed a thinning or receding hairline at the crown, you might be curious as to the cause of these changes. You may be asking if there is anything you can do to stop this.

There are many who would rather let their hair loss progress naturally, unchecked. Some people may try to hide it by altering their hair or makeup, while others may use headwear.

And still, others opt for one of the treatments to stop further thinning or stimulate new growth.

Consult your doctor about the source of your hair loss and potential treatments before making any decisions regarding therapy.

In this post, we'll take a look at some of the most prevalent factors that lead to hair loss in males, such as genetics and lifestyle choices.

What Is the Average Age That Males Begin to Experience Hair Loss?

There is solace in knowing that you are not alone if you have noticed a loss of hair volume. The vast majority of men will have male-pattern baldness at some point in their lives.

The American Hair Loss Association reports that:

• Twenty-five per cent of men with hereditary male pattern baldness experience hair loss before the age of twenty-one.
• About two-thirds of men will have suffered hair loss by the time they turn 35.
• About 85% of males will have noticeably thin hair by the time they reach age 50.

Symptoms

Hair loss can present itself in several ways, depending on the aetiology. It might strike quickly or slowly, affecting only the scalp or the entire body.

Possible hair loss symptoms include:

Hair Fallout.

Hair might become loose after experiencing a shock, either physical or mental. When you wash or comb your hair, or even gently pull at it, handfuls of hair may come out. As a rule, this kind of hair loss leads to general thinning of hair but only lasts for a short while.

Areas of Baldness That Are either Circular or Spotty.

Some persons experience baldness in the form of patches or circular thinning on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows. You might have uncomfortable or painful skin before the hair really falls out.

Loss of Hair Density at the Crown.

This form of hair loss is the most frequent and typically occurs in adults over the age of 30. The hairline on the forehead is a common starting point for male pattern baldness. The part in women's hair is often widened. A receding hairline is a common sign of female pattern hair loss, especially as women age (frontal fibrosing alopecia).

Scales on the Scalp.

A case of ringworm would show up like this. In some cases, it can cause hair loss, redness, swelling, and even leaking.

Total Body Baldness.

Complete body hair loss can be a side effect of certain diseases and treatments, such as cancer chemotherapy. In most cases, hair will regrow.

What Causes Hair Loss in Men?

Male pattern baldness is typically caused by age, hormones, and genetics.

Male-pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia, is triggered by the natural fluctuation of male hormone levels.

The likelihood of male-pattern baldness can be affected by both environmental and genetic variables.

Hair follicles, which are tiny sacs in the skin at the root of hairs, gradually become smaller as a result of these circumstances. New hairs stop growing and the remaining hairs get shorter and finer.

A man's risk of acquiring baldness is increased in proportion to the number of 1st and 2nd kin who also suffer from baldness.

When old hair isn't quickly replaced by new hair, the result is hair loss. Hair thinning can be caused by a combination of the following:

Genetics

Androgenetic alopecia, the medical term for what most people call "male pattern baldness," is caused by a combination of hereditary factors.

However, it does tend to be passed down across generations, though the exact mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Your risk of developing baldness is, therefore, increased if baldness occurs in your family.

Why hair follicles shrink due to hormonal changes and why baldness occurs gradually and in the same way for most men is a mystery to medical science.

However, the thinning process typically begins at the hairline, between the temples and the crown.

Male pattern baldness can begin as early as adolescence depending on genetic predisposition.

Besides thinning, your hair may become more pliable, finer, and shorter. If you notice the early signs of baldness, there are things you can do to help avoid it.

Concerns Relating to Health

Transient hair loss may indicate an underlying health concern, such as anaemia or a thyroid disorder. A lack of protein and iron in the diet can also contribute to hair thinning.

Diabetes and lupus both increase the likelihood of hair loss. Some medications may cause hair loss if they are used for:

• Cancer
• Gout
• Arthritis
• Diseases of the heart
• Depression
• Hypertension

If your hair falls out because of radiation or chemotherapy, don't worry; it will likely come back after your treatment is complete.

Infections

Hair loss and rough patches of the scalp are side effects of ringworm and other scalp infections. Hair regrows normally the following therapy.

Immune System

Alopecia areata is a hereditary disorder characterised by patchy, circular bald areas on the scalp and hairline. Typically, it starts in early childhood. If a close relative already has it, your chances of getting it to go up.

As a result of an attack by your immune system, you may lose hair from discrete regions all over your scalp. There is no discomfort or illness, and it cannot be passed on to others. Your hair could start growing back, but it could also start falling out again.

Pressure or Shock

Physical or emotional stress, major surgery, a sudden or extreme weight loss, high fever and a virus can all cause male pattern baldness.

Other Male Hair Loss Causes

Despite being the most prevalent cause of hair loss, male pattern baldness isn't the only one.

If you have male pattern baldness, the only additional symptom you're likely to see is a gradual loss of hair. On the other hand, if your hair loss is due to something else, you might find that you experience other symptoms as well.

In addition, the pattern of hair loss that occurs as a result of the majority of the other causes is not always predictable in the same way that it occurs as a result of male pattern baldness. Instead, thinning hair is more likely to occur all over the scalp or in a few specific areas.

The following diseases and disorders have been linked to varying degrees of hair loss. It's possible that some forms of hair loss can be reversed, while others are irreversible:

Alopecia Areata

This disorder causes your immune system to assault healthy hair follicles, which ultimately results in a loss of hair.

The loss of hair occurs in discrete areas on the scalp most of the time, although it can also take place in other places on the body.

It's possible, for instance, that you'll discover a patch of thinning hair not only in your beard but also in your eyelashes or eyebrows. If the hair falls out, it may grow back.

Telogen Effluvium

After a jolt to the system or a very stressful experience, an excessive amount of hair loss can sometimes occur roughly two to three months afterwards.

It's possible that an accident, surgery, illness, significant weight loss, or even psychological stress could be the cause of your hair falling out.

In most cases, the regrowth process takes between two and six months.

Nutritional Deficit

In order to maintain general health and promote healthy hair development, it is necessary to maintain optimal amounts of iron and other nutrients in one's diet.

Vitamin D, Protein, and an adequate amount of other vitamins from food are also necessary to keep your hair in healthy condition. Your hair may fall out at a faster rate than usual if you do not get enough of one or more of these nutrients.

Conclusion

The problem of hair thinning is a widespread one that can be brought on by a wide variety of different factors. Alterations in hormone levels can have a number of potential reasons, including medical conditions, inherited factors, and the natural ageing process.

The condition known as male pattern baldness will affect the vast majority of men at some time in their lives. After being subjected to a jolt, either physically or mentally, one's hair may become unruly.

Alopecia Universalis is the loss of hair from all parts of the body, and it can be a side effect of certain diseases and treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer.

Androgenetic alopecia, more often known as male-pattern baldness, is brought on by the normal ups and downs that occur in male hormone levels. Hormonal shifts are to blame for the reduction of hair follicles, but it's still a mystery why most men eventually lose their hair.

A temporary loss of hair could be a symptom of a more serious underlying health condition, such as anaemia or a thyroid issue.

The inherited condition known as alopecia areata manifests itself on the scalp as circular bald patches that are spotty in appearance. There are varieties of hair loss that can be restored, but there are other types that cannot be reversed.

Your immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy hair follicles when you have alopecia areata. It is likely that your hair loss is the result of an incident, surgery, illness, or a substantial change in your weight. Another possibility is that you have recently lost a significant amount of weight.

Content Summary

• As men, it is absolutely necessary for us to keep a close eye on the condition of our scalps and hair at all times.
• The thinning or loss of hair is a common problem that can be brought on by a diverse array of factors.
• If we are able to determine the variables that are responsible for the issue, we will be in a better position to find a solution to the problem and to keep the health of our hair intact.
• Alterations in hormone levels, the presence of certain medical conditions, the presence of hereditary predispositions, and the natural ageing process are all potential causes.
• Hair thinning or loss on the scalp is more common in men, but it can affect anyone.
• In most situations, baldness is brought on by an increase in the amount of hair loss on the scalp.
• The most prevalent cause of hair thinning is hereditary hair loss brought on by the natural process of ageing.
• If you've observed a receding hairline or thinning hair around the crown of your head, you might be wondering what factors led to these changes.
• Before making any choices regarding treatment, it is important to discuss the possible causes of your hair loss and the range of options available to you with your attending physician.
• If you have observed a reduction in the volume of your hair, it is comforting to know that you are not the only one.
• Male-pattern baldness is something that will affect the great majority of men at some point in their lives.
• According to research conducted by the American Hair Loss Association, twenty-five per cent of men with hereditary male pattern baldness have hair loss before the age of twenty-one.
• After undergoing a jolt, either physically or mentally, one's hair may become unruly or fall out.
• If you wash your hair, comb it, or even just pull on it lightly, handfuls of hair may come out.
• This type of hair loss, in most cases, results in a general thinning of hair over a period of time that is, however, only temporary.
• Some people experience baldness as circular thinning or spots on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows. Other people get completely bald.
• Before the actual hair loss begins, your skin may become itchy, unpleasant, or even painful.
• This is the most common type of hair loss, and it mainly affects adults who are over the age of 30.
• The hairline on the forehead is often the first area to thin out in men who have male pattern baldness.
• Widening the part in women's hair is a common practise.
• The hairline starting to recede is a common indicator of female pattern hair loss, particularly as women get older (frontal fibrosing alopecia)
• In certain people, this condition can result in hair loss, redness, edema, and even leakage.
• The loss of all hair from the body is a potential adverse effect of some diseases and treatments, including chemotherapy for cancer.
• In most instances, the hair will grow back.
• Age, hormones, and heredity are often the primary contributors to male pattern baldness.
• The normal ups and downs that occur in male hormone levels are what cause male-pattern baldness, which is also known as androgenetic alopecia.
• Both hereditary and environmental factors can have an impact on a person's likelihood of developing male pattern baldness.
• The condition known as hair loss occurs when old hair is not swiftly replaced by new hair on the scalp.
• It is a mystery to medical science why hair follicles diminish in size as a result of hormonal changes and why baldness develops gradually and in the same manner for the majority of men.
• However, the process of thinning hair normally starts at the hairline, which is located in the middle of the head between the temples and the crown.
• Depending on the genetic tendency of the individual, male pattern baldness can start as early as the adolescent years.
• In addition to becoming thinner, your hair may also get more flexible, finer, and shorter as it ages.
• If you see the early stages of baldness, there are things you can do to assist prevent it from progressing into full-blown baldness.
• A temporary loss of hair could be a symptom of a more serious underlying health condition, such as anaemia or a thyroid issue.
• Both diabetes and lupus are associated with an increased risk of hair loss.
• The condition known as ringworm, along with other scalp infections, can cause symptoms such as hair loss and rough areas on the scalp.
• Immune System
• Alopecia areata is a genetic condition that causes patches of baldness to appear in a circular pattern on the scalp and around the hairline.
• It is possible that you will experience patchy hair loss across your scalp as a consequence of an attack mounted by your immune system.
• Even though it's the most common reason for hair loss, male pattern baldness isn't the only thing that can lead to thinning hair.
• If you have male pattern baldness, the only extra symptom you're likely to notice is a slow loss of hair over time. This is because male pattern baldness causes hair to fall out in a specific pattern.
• In addition, the pattern of hair loss that happens as a result of the majority of the other causes is not necessarily predictable in the same way that it happens as a result of male pattern baldness. This is because male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men.
• The loss of hair is more likely to be diffused across the scalp or to concentrate in a few localised patches.
• The illnesses and conditions listed below have been associated, to varying degrees, with a loss of hair.
• This condition triggers your immune system to attack healthy hair follicles, which ultimately leads to hair thinning or loss.
• Even though it can happen in other parts of the body, hair loss typically manifests itself as localised patches on the scalp. However, it can also take place in other parts of the body.
• It's possible, for example, that you'll discover a patch of thinning hair not only in your beard but also in your eyelashes or eyebrows.
• Even if the hair falls out, there is a chance that it will grow back.
• Occasionally, about two to three months after a jolt to the system or an extremely stressful situation, an excessive amount of hair loss will occur. This can sometimes be attributed to stress.
• It's likely that the loss of your hair was brought on by something like an accident, surgery, illness, major weight loss, or even psychological stress.
• The process of regeneration often takes anywhere from two to six months to complete.
• Maintaining ideal levels of iron and other minerals in one's diet is vital in order to keep one's general health in good standing and to encourage the growth of hair that is healthy.
• Vitamin D, protein and sufficient quantities of several other vitamins derived from food are all essential components for maintaining healthy hair.

FAQs About Hair Loss

Why Am I Suddenly Losing So Much Hair?

The presence of stress, an unhealthy diet, or an underlying medical problem is all potential causes of hair loss. The loss of hair is something that everyone goes through, and it's something that happens to each of us on a daily basis. This natural cycle causes the average person to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs per day, with the number increasing on days when they wash their hair.

Can Thin Hair Become Thick Again?

The fact of the matter is that you are unable to alter the size of the hair follicles in your scalp. There is no product on the market that will entirely change the fact that you have fine hair if you were born with that trait. Keeping your hair healthy, giving it more volume, and preventing it from becoming even thinner are all things that may be accomplished.

How Do I Know if I’m Losing Too Much Hair?

Keep an eye out for these things:

The hair on your head stands out more clearly. In the morning, you notice several hair patterns on your pillow. If you run your fingers through your hair or give it a good tug, you may find that several strands of hair come off. You seem to have expanded in that area. It looks like you have hair all over your shower.

How Can I Stop My Hair Loss?

It is also important to prioritise a diet rich in nutritious proteins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and fresh fruits and vegetables if you wish to avoid hair loss. Vitamins like iron, biotin, vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc have been shown to help with hair growth and prevent balding.

Does Coconut Oil Thicken Hair?

This is the case, indeed. Using coconut oil will result in healthier, thicker, and longer hair, as confirmed by Brown. Coconut oil helps nourish your scalp and penetrates the cuticle of the hair because of the vitamins and fatty acids it contains.