10 Reasons Why Men Lose Hair
A potent mix of genetics and hormonal changes contribute to male pattern baldness and these are often beyond our control. But there are other factors involved when you start losing your hair and some of them may, to a greater or lesser extent, respond to a variety of measures. Here are 10 of the most common issues that men face regarding hair loss.
- Male pattern baldness – this is the most common cause of hair loss in men and unfortunately the most intractable. It usually starts with a receding hairline at the temples and by the age of 60, approximately two thirds of men are affected. Topical creams such as minoxidil or medications like finasteride can help, or – if you have enough money – a hair transplant is the most effective treatment.
- Emotional Stress – we live in an age in which nearly everybody suffers with stress – and cases of severe stress, such as a bereavement or divorce, can trigger hair loss. In these circumstances, the hair loss is likely to be temporary.
- Physical Stress – any form of physical stress, from an illness to an injury, can cause a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium, which becomes noticeable about six months after whatever triggered it. However, the good news is that the hair will just grow back over time.
- Protein deficiency – as protein is an integral building block for hair, if you don’t have enough the body won’t spare any for hair growth. The simple solution? Check your protein intake.
- Excess vitamin A – if you take supplemental vitamin A, you might be triggering hair loss – the daily recommendation is 0.7mg per day, with more than 1.5mg per day being viewed as probably excessive.
- Auto-immune related hair loss – an overactive immune system can cause a problem called alopecia areata. This means the immune system has identified the hair as ‘foreign’ to the body and rejects it. Steroid injections and various drugs might help but the problem is likely to recur.
- Vitamin B deficiency – this is rare in the developed world but can contribute to hair loss. Consider whether you’re having a healthy and varied diet.
- Chemotherapy, antidepressants, blood thinners and other medication – unfortunately hair loss can be a side effect of taking drugs – most dramatically so with chemotherapy but also likely to happen with a wide range of other treatments. Discuss the problem with your doctor, who may be able to lower the dose or change you to a different drug.
- Trichotillomania – this is the nervous habit of pulling out clumps of one’s own hair. It generally manifests itself during the teenage years and the solution for it is behavioural modification therapy or antidepressants.
- Anabolic steroids – if you abuse steroids to build muscle, you’ll be risking your hair. The mechanism here is the same as causes hair loss in women with polycystic ovary disease, and the solution is to stop taking the steroids.
About author:
NiceHair is a hair loss prevention specialist website featuring useful tips and tricks to help and improve hair growth. See the reviews of all the best hair loss shampoos, get advice, try recipes to boost hair health and get plenty of hair care advice. For more information visit nicehair.org and get in touch if you have any questions.
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