It is normal to shed about 50 to 100 hair strands a day. With over 100,000 hairs on your head, losing 100 strands a day may not seem like a big deal. But if you're shedding more hair than usual or you notice some thinning patches of hair, you are probably experiencing male hair loss.
Hair loss is one of the most common symptoms of aging. Although hair loss in prevalent in older adults, hair loss can also occur in younger individuals as well. Both men and women tend to lose hair as they age, but the problem seems to be more apparent in male. In fact, studies suggest that 25% of men suffer from thinning hair by the time they're 30. 50% of them will either be bald or are suffering from male hair loss by the age of 50.
There are a number of factors that play a part in the in the development of male pattern baldness in younger men. Here are some of the most common reasons why young men start losing hair.
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Genetics
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 80 million Americans suffer from hereditary hair loss. This is the most common cause of male hair loss. You may be more vulnerable if either your mother or father or both your parents had hair loss. In some cases, they start losing hair in their 20s or 30s.
Androgenetic Alopecia is a type of hair loss that is caused by a gene you inherited from your parents. The condition usually develops slowly. In most cases, it begins at the crown and temples and then progresses into an M-shaped pattern. It usually begins with thinning of the hair and then eventually progresses to complete hair loss.
Unfortunately, hereditary pattern baldness is permanent. Once you begin losing hair, there is no way you can reverse it. The good news is that you can slow down the process. Finasteride and Minoxidil solution may help slow further hair loss.
Stress and anxiety causes male hair loss
Stress is a normal part of life. In fact, several studies revealed that exposure to a moderate level of stress can push you to peak performance. It can build your brain power, boost memory, and improve alertness. Chronic much stress, however, can be detrimental to your health. It can weaken your immune system, rob you of mental clarity, and strain your heart. You may also notice some physical symptoms such as upset stomach, headache, tense muscles, pains, and even hair loss.
Typically, 80-90% of your hair follicles are actively growing, while the remaining 10-20% is in the resting phase. When you experience too much stress, your hair follicles can be pushed prematurely into the resting state. This condition is called Telogen Effluvium. It is often characterized by excessive hair shedding due to disruption in the natural growth and rest cycle of the hair.
Telogen effluvium doesn't have to be permanent. You are likely to grow your hair back once you get your stress levels under control. Keep stress from reaching severe levels. Take time each day to relax and do things that make you happy. By taking care of yourself, you can restore your hair's natural cycle and promote healthy hair growth.
Serious health condition
Hair loss is a normal part of aging, with over 95% of adults aged 65 and up suffers from thinning hair. But sometimes, it may be due to an underlying medical condition.
If you aren't stressed or you don't have a family history of early onset male pattern baldness, a medical condition may be what's causing the problem. If you notice that you're shedding more hair than usual or if you have sudden or patchy hair loss, consult your doctor. Diabetes, Thyroid Disease, Anemia, Crohn's Disease, and Lupus are just some of the most common illnesses that cause male hair loss.
Not only can serious illness lead to hair loss, some of the medication and treatment methods may cause your hair follicles to die and fall out. If you notice that you're losing more hair than usual, you can ask your doctor to incorporate hair loss treatment into your treatment.
Scalp condition
There are some scalp conditions that can cause your hair to fall out. Most of these scalp conditions cause temporary hair loss and can be treated well.
Psoriasis is a condition that causes scaling of the skin. Roughly half of the people with Psoriasis have it on their scalp. It can pop up as s single patch or can affect the entire scalp. Individuals with scalp Psoriasis usually suffer from hair loss. This, however, is temporary. The hair will grow back once the condition has been treated.
Folliculitis is another scalp condition that causes hair loss. It occurs when viruses, fungi or bacteria invade the hair follicles. You may notice some small bald patches. Hair loss occurs due to the inflammation in the hair follicles. Hair may grow back once the scalp condition improves. But in more severe cases, hair loss may be permanent.
Poor nutrition
Most people want to get thinner, but the last thing they want to associate the word thin with is their hair. If you have dull, dry, and thinning hair, it may be time to examine what you put on your plate.
Most people fail to realize this, but your hair is actually a reflection of your health. What you feed your body will show on your hair. If your diet is usually composed of fast foods and processed foods, you shouldn't be surprised if you have thinning and lacklustre hair. Lack of protein in the diet may also cause male hair loss.
Poor nutrition weakens the hair shaft, slows re-growth, and increases the shedding of the hair. Fortunately, your hair will grow back once nutrient deficiency is corrected. Make sure that your fill you daily diet with healthy and nutritious foods. Protein, Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, Calcium, Magnesium, and Folic Acid are a must for healthy hair. Supplements are also beneficial if you can't get all the vitamins and minerals you need through your diet.
Smoking
We all know that smoking is bad for our health. It can cause fatal diseases such as lung cancer, emphysema, and COPD. But did you know that smoking can also lead to male hair loss?
Several studies have found a link between cigarette smoking and hair loss. In fact, the association is largely attributed to poor circulation. Your hair follicles need a generous supply of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in order to maintain healthy hair growth. Another cause is the toxins in cigarettes, which can harm hair follicles. Long-term smokers notoriously suffer from poor circulation. It reduces circulation to the extremities and pollutes the blood, which negatively affects the liver.
There is no shortage of reason to quit smoking. If you're looking for one more good reason to throw that pack of cigarette in the trash, you may want to add saving your hair to your list.
