Hair Loss in Men
Losing hair and going bald is one of the biggest fears of men. Just like women, most men take a lot of care of their mane and groom it well. To then go through the thinning and eventually balding process causes a great deal of emotional distress.
Men typically shed 60 to 100 hairs a day. This is replaced with new hair that grows around the same time. It is when this regular cycle of hair shedding and growth gets disrupted, hair loss begins. It usually starts around the late 20’s or early 30’s and by the late 30’s most men do undergo a certain degree of hair loss.
What Is Hair Loss?
Hair Loss or Alopecia is the process by which thinning or loss of hair leads to partial or complete baldness. While the most common reference to Hair loss is understood as the loss of scalp hair, it is applicable to thinning in any hairy part of the body.
Total hair loss on the head is known as Alopecia Totalis, while hair loss that occurs all over the body is called Alopecia Universalis. The most common form is Alopecia Areata that is patches of baldness on the scalp or any other body part.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Hair Loss in Men?
Hair loss has many possible causes and contributing factors. Few of them are:
- Poor nutrition and no exercise
- Stressful lifestyle
- Using too many chemical-laden hair products
- Rapid weight loss with crash diets
What Causes Hair Loss?
The causes that lead to hair loss may not be fully understood, but it's usually related to one or more of the following factors:
- Family history of baldness or genetics such as an underactive thyroid
- Hormonal changes
- Medical conditions such as Anemia or diabetes
- Medical treatments, especially cancer - when the hair loss is generally temporary
What Are The Symptoms Of Hair Loss?
There are many signs and symptoms of hair loss that slowly creep in. Some include:
- Volume of hair, decreasing significantly
- Thinning of hair on the scalp
- A receding hairline
- Bald patches on the crown and temple, leaving a horseshoe shape around the back and sides of the head.
How is Hair Loss diagnosed?
Diagnosis can be done on the basis of the hair loss appearance and pattern using one or more of the following methods:
- Hair Pull or Pluck tests
- Blood tests to determine underlying medical causes
- Skin biopsy in extreme cases
- Light microscopy using a special instrument to examine hair follicles
What Is The Treatment For Hair Loss?
Hair Loss in men, especially over 30’s aren't subjected to specific treatments because it is considered as a natural part of ageing and does not pose a risk to their health. That said, if it affects them psychologically, there are a few treatments available:
- Medications such as Finasteride, or Minoxidil
- Laser Light Therapy
- Hair Replacement Surgery
- Good quality wigs
- Alternative medications using Ayurvedic or Homeopathic prescriptions
What Are The Consequences Hair Loss?
While Hair Loss or thinning of hair is not life-threatening, it affects one’s self-esteem and can lead to clinical depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems.