You’re not alone if you believe your hairline is receding every time you look in the mirror—over half of men aged 50 or older display signs of hair loss.
The figure rises to 4 out of 5 men by age 70.
Genetics is frequently implicated, with various other potential factors contributing to hair loss in men.
Causes of Hair Loss in Men: The Male Pattern Hair Baldness
The exact inheritance mechanism remains unclear, but it often runs in families like your parents or close relatives.
Doctors usually aren’t sure why hormonal changes lead to the shrinking of hair follicles or why the balding process follows a consistent pattern in most men.
Male pattern baldness, one of the leading causes of hair loss in men, typically begins with the hairline thinning above the temples and crown.
Male pattern baldness may happen as early as the teenage years, depending on your family history.
As it progresses, not only does the hair become thinner, but it may also become soft, brittle, and shorter.
Causes of Hair Loss in Men: Medical
Temporary hair loss signifies an underlying medical concern, such as anemia or thyroid issues.
Individuals with conditions like diabetes or lupus face an elevated risk of experiencing hair loss.
Certain medications prescribed may also lead to hair loss, as well as conditions or diseases, such as:
Arthritis
Cancer
Depression
Gout
High blood pressure
Heart problems
Radiation treatment or chemotherapy can result in significant hair loss, but in many cases, hair typically regrows after completing these treatments.
The process may take time, but there is often a chance of hair regrowth following the conclusion of radiation or chemotherapy.
Causes of Hair Loss in Men: Being Shocked or Stress
Sudden or significant weight loss, a severe physical or emotional shock, surgery, and even episodes of fever or the flu can trigger hair loss that may persist for several months.
Causes of Hair Loss in Men: Infections
As hair loss causes, conditions like ringworm can develop scaly patches on the scalp and result in bald spots.
Causes of Hair Loss in Men: Your Immune System
Sudden hair loss resulting in round bald spots, about the size of a coin, may indicate a genetic condition known as alopecia areata.
This condition often starts in childhood and is more likely to occur if a close family member is affected.
Alopecia areata is characterized by the body’s immune system attacking the hair follicles, leading to the loss of small patches of hair.
This process is not accompanied by pain or sickness and is not contagious.
The natural hair may regrow, but there is a possibility of recurrence with subsequent hair loss.
Cause of Hair Loss in Men: Impulse Control Disorder
It’s not a hair condition, but rather a class of psychiatric disorders. People with impulse control disorder may show various behaviors, one of which is that they repeatedly pull on their natural hair and eventually pull them off.
They do it simply because they feel the urge to do it. Many, instead of pulling the hair from their scalp, pull it all over their body, even their eyebrows. Researchers have long categorized this condition as trichotillomania. About 2 percent of adults and teenagers have it.
Myths of Men’s Hair Loss Causes
Talking about hair loss causes in men, we must avoid some fables of hair loss, most of which are not true.
Here are a few and don’t believe them:
- Similarly, swimming in a chlorinated pool or saltwater does not lead to hair loss; yes, it does.
- A baseball cap or hat may result in “hat hair,” but it doesn’t cause hair loss.
- Sunscreen won’t cause hair loss and will protect the areas where your hairline has receded.
- Using hair dryers might make your hair more brittle, but rest assured, it won’t result in permanent hair loss.
When Do You Need to Contact a Doctor?
Call your doctor if you notice one of the following:
- Losing hair starts to go rapidly or at a very early age (for example, in your teens or twenties)
- Hair starts to go in an unusual pattern
- The affected area of your scalp turns red, scaly, or abnormal
- Pain or itching with the hair loss
- Infections on your scalp
- Starting to lose your beard hair or eyebrows
- Weight gain or muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, or fatigue
Hairpieces for Hair Loss in Men
Human hair wigs and hair replacement systems are a popular choice for tackling hair loss in men.
Often crafted from real human hair, these hairpieces look natural and realistic.
They can be customized to match individual preferences in color, texture, and style, offering a personalized solution for those experiencing hair loss.
Once expertly applied, these hairpieces give instant length and volume and become virtually indistinguishable from the wearer’s natural hair.
The evolving techniques and craftsmanship ensure that the hairpiece meets and often exceeds the wearer’s expectations, providing a lasting and personalized solution that mirrors the look and feel of natural hair.
Medications Treat Male Pattern Baldness
Medications that treat male pattern baldness include:
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Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is a solution applied directly to stimulate follicles to effectively slow down hair loss for many men, with some experiencing new hair growth.
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Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar)
Finasteride, marketed as Propecia or Proscar, is an oral medication that disrupts the production of a potent form of testosterone associated with baldness, slowing hair loss and generally demonstrating slightly better results than minoxidil.
It’s crucial to be aware that discontinuing the use of this medicine may lead to the return of hair loss.
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Dutasteride
Similar to finasteride but generally more effective, Dutasteride is not officially approved for treating male pattern baldness; some medical professionals may prescribe it off-label for this purpose.
It is believed to work similarly to finasteride, another 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, by reducing the levels of DHT and slowing hair loss.
Other treatments are currently being investigated include:
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Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been a cutting-edge treatment that involves drawing your blood, extracting a concentrated, platelet-rich portion, and skillfully injecting it into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
This progressive approach, carried out across multiple sessions, is designed to boost hair growth in areas affected by loss.
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Hair Transplants
Hair transplants involve the extraction of small hair plugs from areas with ongoing hair growth, which are then strategically placed in balding areas.
Typically requiring multiple sessions, this procedure can be a relatively expensive but effective solution for addressing hair loss.
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Laser Light Caps
Using laser or light caps and helmets is a contemporary method to stimulate hair follicles.
These devices utilize laser or light technology to promote hair growth, offering a non-invasive and convenient approach for individuals looking to address hair loss.
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Suturing Hairpieces to Scalp
Suturing hairpieces to the scalp is strongly discouraged, as it can lead to undesirable outcomes like scarring, infections, and scalp abscesses.
Additionally, the FDA has prohibited using hair implants crafted from artificial fibers due to a significant risk of infections.
It’s crucial to explore safer and approved alternatives to ensure the health and well-being of the scalp.
Conclusion
Hair loss and male pattern baldness, influenced by genes and hormonal changes, often manifest in a receding hairline and thinning crown.
Medical issues, stress, and infections can also contribute to hair loss, while myths about hats and sunscreen abound.
Human hair wigs offer a natural remedy, and medications like minoxidil and finasteride, along with innovative treatments like PRP, hair transplants, and laser caps, provide diverse options for combating hair loss.
