Many men consider hair an important part of their self-image. If you believe your hair makes you look more attractive, losing it may affect your confidence. Hair loss often triggers the fear of becoming bald or not being able to find a partner. In turn, men may become conscious of getting old, and feel depressed as a result.
If you've noticed that you’re losing more hair than usual, you may have experienced some of the issues outlined above. In this article, we’ll cover the typical reasons behind
male hair loss and possible treatments to stop it.
How Much Shedding Is Normal?
Everyone’s shedding. But how do you know if you’re shedding too much?
New hair is constantly growing on our heads. Therefore, it's only natural that we lose some, too. It probably looks a bit frightening when you wash your hair, and there's a whole bunch of it lying in the bathtub.But that's what normal shedding looks like. It's a natural part of the hair growth cycle.
According to experts, we usually lose between 50 and 100 strands a day. This number doesn't sound very concerning, given that we have around 100,000 hair follicles on our scalps.
However, according to research, 25% of men start going bald before their thirtieth birthday.
Why Do Men Lose Hair?
Female hair loss is sometimes associated with the ways they treat their hair - they wash it too often, treat it with chemicals, use straighteners and blow dryers and suchlike. But with men, the situation is a bit different. Of course, some men use hair styling methods to enhance their looks, but probably not as much as women. So why do men lose hair?
1. Stress
We tend to blame everything on stress nowadays, but it’s true. Stress can cause hair loss. How? It stops follicles from producing new hair strands by inducing the “resting” phase when they’re not active. You keep losing the usual amount of hair daily, but new strands don’t grow. As a result, your hair becomes thinner over time.
2. Illnesses
It's not just chemo that causes you to lose hair. Some thyroid disorders, lupus, or irritable bowel syndrome can also affect your hair growth. Unnecessary medical treatments for certain conditions can have the same effect.
3. Hormonal Imbalance
You already know how important testosterone is for your body. But did you know that you may also experience hair loss due to low testosterone levels? If you notice you’re losing your facial and body hair as well, this may be the reason.
4. Lack of Nutrients and Vitamins
A healthy diet is essential for every part of your body, hair included. Your organism can't work properly without all the necessary vitamins.If there's a lack of iron, zinc, or selenium in your body, you may start losing hair.Also, sudden weight loss can make you lose hair more quickly. Therefore, a balanced diet has a critical role in maintaining your hair’s health.
5. Alopecia
Alopecia is an autoimmune health condition for which you could probably blame genetics. It's hereditary, and you can recognize it quite easily. There isn't a regular pattern, other than losing random patches of hair.
6. Male Pattern Baldness
This is the most common reason behind male baldness. The process is characterized by gradual thinning of hair, and it's caused by DHT – dihydrotestosterone. The production of this hormone increases during puberty and keeps growing later on. In some men, it decreases the ability of hair follicles to produce new hair strands.
Should You See a Doctor?
If you notice sudden changes and abnormal hair loss, it’s recommended that you see a general practitioner or a dermatologist.
If you also experience some other symptoms, such as itching or burning on your scalp, that’s all the more reason to see a doctor. The sooner you do it, the better your chances of keeping your hair.
Can You Stop Hair Loss?
Luckily, you can treat this condition in several ways, depending on why you’re losing hair in the first place. If it’s genetic, it’s hard to stop it completely. Losing hair is a normal part of getting older, but there are options to make it less sudden and easier to accept.
Unless you’re okay with wearing a wig, you’ll probably consider treatments such as shampoos and oral meds. There are also steroid creams, hair transplants, or scalp reduction surgeries, but most men don’t want to be so radical and opt for lighter treatments.
For instance, Finasteride and minoxidil are two of the most commonly used treatments for dealing withhair loss in men. However, they need to be taken regularly to see any benefits. You’llmost likely get the best results by combining these tablets with a shampoo and a topical spray, like in one of the
Well Meds’ kits for hair loss treatment.
It’s More Than Your Hair
Sure, we get that hair is important when it comes to your self-esteem, but your charm is more than that. Treating hair loss is okay if you want to minimize the damage, but don't let it become an obsession. For most men, it's inevitable as they get older. Sometimes you just need to accept what's happening.
However, if you want to fight it, you do have plenty of options. Well Meds has a plethora of proven treatments, so you need only consult with an expert before you're good to go.