The modern man's ultimate guide to hair loss
Have you begun to notice that you are losing some of your hair? If you have, it needs addressing quickly as hair loss often only becomes noticeable after a significant amount is already lost. It isn't simply about how you look; it is about how you feel too. It can be extremely difficult to adjust to your new look after you begin to lose hair. Although hair loss is incredibly common in men, it can still completely wreck their confidence and self-esteem.
In this guide, you can find common causes, preventions, and treatment options.
What is Hair Loss?
Hair loss is a term that seems like it should be fairly self-explanatory. However, it can happen in a variety of different ways, and it isn't solely limited to the head. It also doesn't necessarily mean complete baldness either; it can be in patches or present itself as a general thinning of the hair.
For most men, it often starts as a thinning at the temples, which then gradually grows to take over most of the hairline. The hairline then recedes backwards, and often the back and the sides of the head are the last to be affected.
Why Does it Happen?
Finding out the cause behind your hair loss is the first step to addressing it and preventing further loss. It is normal to lose hair, and anywhere between 50 and 100 hairs are shed daily; if you think you are losing more than that, it could be a sign of hair loss.
Hair loss is often hereditary, and a genetic predisposition is one of the leading causes of hair loss among men. This type of hair loss or Androgenic Alopecia to give it its scientific name happens gradually over time, and it often follows a predictable pattern.
Some illnesses can trigger a temporary form of hair loss which is called Telogen Effluvium. A shock or traumatic event can also trigger this. Essentially the hair shedding process is sped up. As a result, the hair quickly becomes noticeably thinner, although once the illness passes, the hair begins to regrow normally.
Stress can also cause hair loss whether the stress is continual, day-to-day, physical or emotional. For example, Alopecia Areata and even Telogen Effluvium, as mentioned above, are both forms of stress-induced hair loss. However, it usually presents as bald spots, which usually do grow back but not always.
The body often recognises weight loss as a sign of physical trauma, and as a result, the hair can begin to thin. However, this is more likely to happen due to a crash diet or another unhealthy weight-loss method.
This then leads naturally to vitamin deficiency. Not receiving the correct nutrition can also lead to hair loss. Iron is especially important as a lack of iron can lead to anaemia, another common cause of hair loss. Luckily, if your hair loss is a result of weight loss or poor nutrition, a simple change of diet can help remedy it.
How Can You Tell if You are Losing your Hair?
There are some common signs of hair loss and common conditions that you can keep your eye out for. If you catch them early, they are easier to rectify. A gradual thinning of the hair on the top of your head is the most common sign of hair loss, and it is something that occurs naturally as men age. As previously mentioned, it often begins at the temples and around the hairline.
For some conditions, it can be very sudden. For example, you may find that the hair comes out quickly and thickly – sometimes in handfuls. This is usually the result of a temporary condition, although it is something that you should keep an eye on. If you find that it is happening continually for over six months, then you should consult your doctor as it could be a symptom of another underlying issue.
Although less common, another sign of hair loss is bald spots or patches. These can occur sporadically and are found on the crown of the head in most cases, although they can occur anywhere, including the eyebrows or beard. You may also notice that the skin feels itchy or painful before these spots show up.
Some conditions, such as Alopecia Universalis, can cause full-body hair loss. It often begins small with patches forming in the head and body hair. Pain and itchiness can also be a precursor to the hair loss in this instance too.
Preventative Measures
Preventative measures can help to slow the process down even if you have inherited a genetic predisposition. However, it is important to note that on most occasions, preventive measures will simply slow the process down rather than halting it entirely.
Firstly, try to eat a balanced diet as much as possible. If your hair loss was caused by a nutritional deficiency or sudden weight loss, this is especially important as it can reverse the effects entirely. However, if your hair loss is being caused by something else, it is still important. For example, zinc, iron, protein and omega-three can all be really beneficial not just for your body but for your hair too.
Stress is also a huge trigger for hair loss, as mentioned above so take steps to try and minimise your daily stressors. There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your stress. In doing so, you will help to halt your hair loss as well as improving your general wellbeing.
The way that you treat your hair can also affect the process. Some styles put more pressure on the follicles, and some styling equipment can cause more damage. For example, using high heat tools, such as a hairdryer, can cause the hair to break and soon, the damage can make the hair appear thinner. In addition, the popularity of the man bun in recent years has led to an increase in men wearing styles that pull on their hairlines which can result in Traction Alopecia. If you do prefer the look of a man bun, try not to pull your hair too tightly or avoid these styles altogether.
Treatments
There are a few treatment options if your hair loss has moved past the point where prevention is effective. There are medications that you can take and topical creams that you can use. However, the most effective treatment is a hair transplant. Healthy hair follicles are harvested from other areas of the head and relocated to stimulate hair growth in the thinning areas. This is not available on the NHS; in fact, most treatments aren't, meaning that it can be costly. As a result, more and more Brits are opting to go abroad for their treatment. The Longevita Clinic is located in Turkey, which is an increasingly popular destination as it boasts highly qualified surgeons and it is more affordable than other destinations. If you want to learn more about a hair transplant in Turkey, you should start there.
In Conclusion
Catching the signs of hair loss early means that you can take further preventative measures to slow down the process. Most of the preventative measures aren't simply good for your hair; they are good for your overall health and wellbeing too. However, a hair transplant is probably the best option to restore your hair once the hair loss progresses too far.
