With nearly two-thirds of all men destined to experience some form of male hair loss, it is no wonder that so many are seriously concerned about this issue. There is shortage of ‘miracle’ solutions that are available at every corner, and your family may have a few ‘home remedies’ that as well. Both males and females traditionally have seen hair as a ‘crown of glory’ for thousands of years, and many will agree it is a primary feature they notice in a partner. As a result, scores of people are in pursuit of solutions for the prevention and treatment of male hair loss.
What Causes Male Hair Loss?
Although male hair loss is a common occurrence in men over the age of 35, a number of reasons exist for why it may occur in the first place. The most common cause of male hair loss is male pattern baldness (MPD). Male pattern baldness, also known in the scientific community as androgenic alopecia, is responsible for most instances of hair loss and eventual baldness in males. Male pattern baldness is a hereditary problem that is passed down from one generation to the next genetically. However, emotional events and high levels of stress are both known to have a profound affect on hair loss.
A man suffering from male pattern baldness has a sensitivity to what is known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Over a period of time, the sensitive hair follicles react to the DHT by becoming smaller and smaller. As the hair follicles shrink, their ability to grow healthy strands of hair is decreased. This results in an ever-decreasing life span for each hair strand until the follicle is not able to produce a viable strand of hair. The signature sign of male pattern baldness is a receding hairline with or without a ring of hair around the base of the scalp. It appears that male pattern baldness is more likely to affect the crown of the head and the temples.
Another cause of hair loss in males is the advent of extremely traumatic or stressful events. It is known that the psychological stress caused by difficult situations can and has resulted in patches of hair becoming lost. Telogenaffluvium is hair loss that is caused by the onset of stress. The physical effect of the stress causes large patches of hair to enter into a resting phase prematurely. This hair then sheds all at once, causing massive hair loss. Another form of hair loss resulting from stress is alopecia areata. In Alopecia Areata, the white blood cells of the immune system attack the hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out. Lastly is trichotillomania, which is a disorder in which an individual cannot resist pulling out their hair in extremely stressful situations.
In addition to the previously discussed causes, certain medications and medical treatments such as chemotherapy can also cause male hair loss.
What are some Options for Preventing Male Hair Loss?
In the case of male pattern baldness and DHT, scientists acknowledge that the shorter the exposure time of DHT-sensitive hair follicles the better in terms of hair loss. By taking action to inhibit the levels of DHT at the onset of hair loss, an individual can reduce and even prevent male pattern baldness. In the case of stress related hair loss, preventing stress and developing effective coping mechanisms to deal with extreme levels of stress is ideal.
Linda Reyes is a writer and blogger that prides herself on staying abreast of the latest in health issues. She is dedicated to enlightening her readers on health issues that have cosmetic effects. Linda covers everything from the best laser hair removal Brampton has to offer and the best laser hair removal Toronto has to offer to issues of hair loss.