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Hair Loss in Men

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Alopecia, or hair loss, can be temporary or permanent and can affect simply your scalp or the entire body. It may be the result of inheritance, hormonal changes, illnesses, or a typical aspect of ageing. Anyone can experience hair loss on their head, but hair loss in men is more common.

Baldness often refers to a significant loss of scalp hair. The most frequent cause of baldness is hereditary hair loss as people age. Some people would rather let their hair loss progress naturally without treatment or camouflage. Others decide on a treatment to stop additional hair loss or stimulate growth.

Table of Contents

Hair Loss in Men – Psychological Effects

Losing one’s hair can drastically lower a man’s self-confidence. While some guys are more focused on appearance than others, all men want to look and appear their best, and baldness can interfere with this.

Hair loss in men

Although none of us can select whether or not we will lose our hair, it’s vital to keep in mind that there are treatments for hair loss. Baldness treatments have been effective, and the results are simply amazing.

The Most Common Symptoms of Hair Loss in Men

Depending on what is causing it, there are many distinct ways that hair loss can manifest. It may start out gradually or rapidly. Let’s discuss the most obvious balding symptoms, and how to distinguish between natural balding and other hair loss causes.

  • Receding Hairline: A receding hairline is when the sides of the head’s frontal hairline begin to shrink and go backwards. The receding hairline, which forms an M shape as the two sides recede at a higher rate than the middle of the scalp, is one of the most typical types of hair loss in men.
  • Temples: Around the temples and the crown or vertex, which is the top of the back of your head, hair begins to thin.
  • Top of the Head: On top of your head, thinning hair might develop over time. You won’t suddenly go bald; it will usually take several years before you detect any thinning, particularly at the top of your head.

Some of the Causes of Hair Loss in Men

These hair loss factors are not related to androgenic alopecia. Genetics, physical trauma, or an underlying condition that can cause hair thinning or bald areas can all contribute to some types of alopecia.

  • Alopecia areata: This is a small, circular area of sudden hair loss that appears without any symptoms. The beard and eyebrows can also be affected in addition to other hair on the body.
  • Telogen effluvium: This sort of hair loss can be reversed and is brought on by stressful situations like hospital stays and new medications.
  • Cicatricial alopecia: This all-encompassing phrase describes hair loss that leaves behind lasting scarring. Instead of producing new hair, the hair follicles that are still present are damaged, and scar tissue develops. This phrase describes several ailments that destroy hair follicles permanently.
  • Tinea capitis: Tinea capitis is a scalp fungus that can result in tiny, localised scaly areas that may also have pustules. Permanent scarring and hair loss may result from this.
  • Nutritional deficiency: Hair loss in men can happen if you don’t get enough protein or iron in your diet, among other vitamins. True vitamin deficiencies are quite rare, though.
  • Thyroid conditions: One well-known factor in hair loss is thyroid issues. In the event that you experience hair loss that doesn’t seem to have an underlying explanation, doctors frequently advise evaluating this.

Other Common Symptoms of Hair Loss in Men

An average person loses 50–100 hairs per day. Due to the simultaneous growth of new hair, this frequently goes unnoticed. When the hair that has fallen out is not replaced by new hair. Common causes of hair loss include one or more of the following

  • Hereditary: The inherited disorder that develops with ageing is the most typical cause of hair loss. Androgenic alopecia, and male-pattern baldness, are the names for this disorder. In men, it typically manifests as bald spots and a receding hairline in predictable patterns.
  • Radiation Therapy: Both healthy and cancerous cells are impacted by radiation. These cells also stimulate the growth of new hair. Hair loss may result from this (alopecia). It is impossible to stop hair loss when receiving radiation therapy.
  • Hairstyles and treatments: Traction alopecia is a kind of hair loss brought on by excessive styling or tight-pulling hairstyles. Permanent hair dyes and hot oil treatments can also make hair thinning. Hair loss may become permanent if scarring takes place.
  • Stress: High levels of stress have been linked to three different forms of hair loss: T-cell proliferation. Significant stress causes a substantial number of hair follicles to enter the resting phase in telogen effluvium. Affected hairs may start to come out abruptly after a few months of simple brushing or washing.
  • Hormones: A hormone called DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink in men with male-pattern baldness. They eventually shrink to the point where no hair can follicle.

Prevention and Tips for Hair Loss in Men

Genetics are mostly blamed for baldness (male-pattern baldness). It is impossible to stop this kind of hair loss. These tips may help you avoid preventable types of hair loss.

  • Handle your hair with care. When brushing and combing, use a detangler rather than tugging. Do not subject your hair to severe treatments like hot rollers, curling irons, hot-oil treatments, or permanents.
  • Consult your doctor if you are using any drugs or supplements that could be causing hair loss.
  • Give up smoking. According to certain studies, smoking and male pattern baldness are related.
  • Ask your doctor about a cooling hat if you are receiving chemotherapy. Using this cap throughout your chemotherapy will lessen your chance of hair loss.
  • Make sure to shield your hair from UV rays coming from the sun and other sources.
  • Adopt a balanced diet. Hair loss may result from a diet lacking a range of nutrients.

Hair Loss in Men Treatment Options

It is tough to restore lost hair once it has occurred. There are a few ways to stop additional hair loss and reduce the thinning process.

Medications to Help with Hair Loss in Men

Finasteride: Male pattern baldness is treated with this prescription medication (Propecia or Proscar). In the majority of men, it promotes slower balding or hair growth. There are various precautions about the usage of this medicine. It is only appropriate for adults; it is not appropriate for kids, expectant mothers, or those who are nursing.

Some negative effects of Finasteride can occur.

  • Depression
  • Decrease in your libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Decrease ejaculate volume
 

Minoxidil: Men can utilise the over-the-counter prescription drug topical minoxidil, also known as Rogaine. This treatment’s advancement of hair regrowth can take at least six months. For those who have congenital baldness, minoxidil works best towards the back of the head, right below the crown. Additionally, minoxidil should not be used by women who are expecting, nursing, or who are hypersensitive to any of the medication’s constituents.

Some negative effects of minoxidil can occur.

  • Allergies
  • Scales on the scalp that are irritating, yellow, or white
  • Hair shedding
  • excessive hair growth over the body, including on the face in some females
  • Redness and skin irritation

Other Options to Help Hair Loss in Men

Hair loss in men can be hidden with styling techniques. Shorten thinning hair to prevent a comb-over. Some shampoos, conditioners, and style aids can give what you already have more volume. Some guys choose to wear a hairpiece; if this is your choice, make sure it matches your natural hair’s colour and curl pattern.

There are a few additional alternatives for men who do not want to wear a hairpiece that they should consider before determining which one is best for them. PRP injections, laser therapy, and other hair transplant procedures are a few of the available choices.

RPR Injections (Protein-rich plasma): Your own blood’s platelets are used in PRP therapy. It is concentrated and injected into areas where hair is falling out, which can encourage hair growth. This is an unapproved method of treating androgenetic alopecia.

Laser Therapy: In the course of various studies, LLLT helped to slow down or even stop hair loss in 85% of patients. men also saw new hair growth in 55% of the cases. LLLT does not work in cases where baldness has existed for many years.

Hair transplants: It’s a type of surgery that moves hair you already have to fill an area with thin or no hair.

Hair Loss in Men | Transplantation Options for the Best Results

Recent advancements in hair transplant operations has produced remarkable, long-lasting results that look natural. With more people being honest about getting hair transplants, they’ve also lost some of their stigmas.

A hair transplant, like other cosmetic operations, can help you feel more confident again by elevating your self-esteem. But it’s crucial that you comprehend all the details as with any method. Knowing more about hair loss and the treatments that are available will help you choose the best course of action for you.

FUE Before and After Hair Transplant IdealofMeD 2022

FUE Hair Transplantation

The three processes of an FUE hair transplant include extraction, making recipient incisions, and implanting follicular grafts. A significant number of hair follicles are harvested during an FUE hair transplant in a single day, resulting in excellent regrowth and patient tolerance with minimal scarring.

FUE Hair Transplant Procedure

Here is the step-by-step procedure for the FUE hair transplant.

  • Microscopically small, specially manufactured extraction instruments are used to take individual hair follicles out of the donor location. Because the holes in the recipient site are rather small, there won’t be any scarring and the wounds will recover extremely rapidly.
  • The implants are then positioned and placed in the surgical pads, briefly kept in a cold, sterile solution, and put over a cooling system, which creates a moist environment and extends the storage duration until they are implanted in the recipient area.
  • An extremely tiny, specially designed blade with a diameter smaller than the needles used to retrieve the graft is used to make the incisions. The grafts will then fill the holes and create a solid attachment to their beds, which is crucial for graft survival.
  • The grafts are carefully and delicately put into the holes in the right direction using incredibly small medical tools.
  • Final examinations are completed, the serum is applied to the donor and recipient locations to clean them, and the donor area is wrapped and covered with surgical pads while the transplanted area is left exposed.

DHI Hair Transplantation

A DHI hair transplant leads to natural results, maximal viability, and lifetime growth are all features of the DHI technique.

Similar methods are employed in the DHI hair transplant (Direct Hair Implant), a modified form of FUE hair implantation. A surgeon will transplant hair follicles from one area of your scalp—typically the back of your head—into balding regions using the Choi Pen.

  • A local anaesthetic is given by the surgeon to numb the area and make the patient comfortable after shaving the patient’s head.
  • The rear of the scalp’s follicles is removed using a fine instrument.
  • The intended scalp regions are implanted with all donor follicles.
  • The surgical site is treated with an antibiotic cream before being bandaged.

FUE and DHI Combination Hair Transplantation

An FUE and DHI Combination Surgery combines the two techniques results in a better density with the DHI technique and the most grafts possible with the FUE technique. Combining the two approaches yields the best outcomes. Depending on how many hair follicles are being transplanted, this surgery could take up to eight hours.

  • The designated portion of the head is shaved, and thereafter local anaesthesia is administered.
  • Hair follicles are extracted from the donor area of the head.
  • Choi pens can be used to select hair follicles and then transplant them to the scalp’s balding regions.
  • In both the recipient region and the donor region antibiotic cream is applied and dressed in bandages.

Alternative Remedies to Help Hair Growth

There have been a few remedies that are likely to work and improve hair loss in men.

  • Peppermint oil: According to some reports, peppermint oil may promote hair growth.
  • Coconut oil, caster oil, and olive oil: These are also widely recommended, Although hair growth is rather limited.
  • Biotin: This is a vitamin found in some natural foods, such as sweet potatoes, nuts, eggs, onions, and oats.
  • Bhringraj: part of the sunflower family, is known to support hair growth.
  • Green tea: Another alleged herbal hair loss treatment.
  • Hibiscus: In India, Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis) is commonly advertised as a hair-growth supplement.

Hair loss in men

Make Sure You Have a Balanced Diet For Healthy Hair

Maintaining a healthy diet may help maintain your hair in good condition. Ensure that your diet includes a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean meats. Limit the number of sweets you consume. Healthy hair is related to specific vitamins and minerals that may be found in a balanced diet. Attempt to include them in your diet.

  • Meals rich in protein, such as eggs, lean meats, and shellfish.
  • Lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, and eggs are some examples of foods high in iron.
  • foods like salmon, mackerel, tuna, flax seeds, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts are examples of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.
 

According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, males should consume around 15.5 cups (3.7 litres) of fluid each day. Women should drink around 11.5 cups (2.7 litres) of liquids each day.

When to See Your Doctor

In addition to your genetics, a number of medical disorders can cause hair loss in men. By taking care of the underlying issue, you can address your hair loss. The following ailments may result in hair loss.

  • Lupus
  • Lichen planus
  • Diabetes
  • Scalp psoriasis
  • Alopecia areata
  • Iron deficiency
  • Celiac disease
  • Syphilis
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Sarcoidosis

Consult a doctor to treat the underlying disease if you have any of these conditions or if you have symptoms other than hair loss. As your condition gets better, your hair loss should also get better.

Talk to Your Doctor About Your Medications.

Some medications can cause hair loss in men, here are a few of the medications you must ask your doctor about.

  • Depression medication
  • Chemotherapy
  • Medication for high blood pressure
  • Gout medications
  • Isotretinoin
  • Heart medications

Before quitting or switching a medicine you are currently taking, first, consult your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Male-pattern baldness, a genetic condition inherited from your parents, is the main cause of hair loss in nearly all males. Other contributing factors include specific drugs, an excess of vitamin A, or a lack of protein. Telogen effluvium, often known as sudden, excessive shedding, can be brought on by illness or stress.
Yes, a hormone called DHT causes hair follicles to shrink in men with male-pattern baldness. They eventually shrink to the point where no hair can grow.
Yes, Low levels of this essential nutrient, which is linked to hair loss, are linked to your body’s ability to create blood. It’s unclear why, but it’s important to eat a lot of iron-rich foods including meat, fish, chicken, tofu, broccoli, and various types of greens. However, before using iron supplements, see your doctor. Too much can make you throw up and become constipated. Even lethal amounts of the drug are possible.
Though it has happened to younger men, this illness frequently affects males in their late twenties or early thirties. Androgenetic alopecia, which is another name for male pattern baldness, is the most typical kind of hair loss in men. Dihydrotestosterone, a hormone derivative, is the culprit (DHT). The male hormones testosterone and 5-alpha reductase combine to form this derivative. It is typically brought on by an autoimmune condition.

Find out which hair loss treatment may be best for you by speaking with your doctor. OTC and home cures might be effective for some people, but not all. In general, hair transplants work better than over-the-counter remedies. However, they won’t work as well if your hair loss is brought on by chemotherapy or drugs.

Last updated by Wendy on August 18, 2022. Content medically reviewed by D. Demirel, MD.

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