Hair Loss

Disorders / Hair Loss

What is Hair Loss?

It’s natural to lose a certain amount of hair every day. That’s a part of your natural growth cycle. Individuals with healthy hair growth grow hair again and enjoy a head full of hair. But cases are not the same for everyone. Primary reasons for hair loss include stress and tension, certain illnesses, hormonal deficiencies, old age, or genetic factors, which can cause excessive hair loss or interfere with healthy hair growth. In those cases, the hair falls out, but a person won’t grow new tresses. The disorder can affect both adults and children. 

Unfortunately, excessive hair fall leaves a negative effect on one’s mental health as well, as it affects one’s appearance. Individuals with the issue often suffer from low self-esteem and find it difficult to socialize. Thanks to modern medical science, hair growth treatment and recovery are possible. When your daily hair fall is higher than normal, it’s necessary to talk to a follicle specialist, understand the core factors, and learn how to address the condition. 

Male pattern baldness is a common hair loss disorder. It affects men. Men usually experience the early stage of the disorder in their early 30s. Some may also see the signs of hair loss in their late teens. Treatment options such as medications, hair transplants, or expert styling techniques are effective ways to resolve the issue.

What Are the Types of Hair Loss?

Hair loss can be of two types: temporary or permanent. The most common hair loss disorders include –

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and body. 

Androgenic Alopecia

This type of hair loss is hereditary baldness. The hair loss disorder affects both men and women. Women with the disorder suffer from excessive hair loss, and male pattern baldness in men results in a receding hairline and eventual complete hair loss. Male Androgenetic Alopecia affects 58% of men between the ages of 30 and 50.

Telogen effluvium 

In Telogen effluvium, one suffers from rapid hair loss within a very short period. One of the primary reasons has been sudden hormonal fluctuations. The hairfall disorder turns up suddenly after an extreme stressful occurrence, where both the body and mind suffer. Terrible physical and emotional suffering result in this hairfall disorder.

Anagen effluvium

This hair fall disorder is a result of a certain treatment process. Methods like chemotherapy cause fast hair loss and result in baldness or anagen effluvium.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness, also termed androgenic alopecia, is a type of hair loss in males. Men with the disorder lose scalp hair, but it doesn’t grow back. Signs of male-pattern baldness include thinning hair and a receding hairline. The baldness comes with seven stages. 

According to the Hamilton-Norwood scale, male pattern baldness appears in seven stages – 

  • The pattern begins with very little hair loss and a thin hairline recession. 
  • Gradually, one notices hair loss in the area between the ears and temples. 
  • At this phase, the hairline recession around the forehead starts getting deep, and the hairline structure takes a ‘U’ shape from ‘M’.  
  • Men suffer a deep hairline recession with hair loss at the crown (top of the head). 
  • The hairline recession spreads to the crown, and the bald spot expands. 
  • The hair between the forehead and the top of the head thins out or is gone. 
  • At the final stage of male pattern baldness, men are left with no hair on the crown with a thin line of hair around the side of their head.

 

What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Hair Loss?

Several factors can cause hair loss. The most common reasons include:

  • Genetic factors 
  • Fungal infections 
  • Poor nutrition that lacks protein and iron
  • Specific hair styles and therapies like tight ponytails, braids, or hair extension therapy 
  • Using damaging haircare processes like bleach and perms
  • Back-to-back stressful events 
  • Hormonals imbalances like thyroid issues 
  • Women experience extreme hair loss during and after pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.
  • Skin problems like folliculitis or psoriasis. 

Hairfall symptoms can show up in different ways. You can consult a doctor based on the kind of suffering you feel or the causes behind the disorder. The most common symptoms include:

  • Thinning hair
  • Receding hairline (Male Pattern Baldness)
  • Patches of baldness on the scalp
  • Hair falls on the scalp and body

Whether it’s temporary or permanent, hair loss can disrupt one’s mental and emotional state. Some hairfall issues might lead to complete baldness. If you notice considerable hair fall concerns, you must consult a verified doctor to address the problem. 

Which Men Does the Male Pattern Baldness Affect?

Male pattern baldness may affect any man. 

Male pattern baldness affects people differently depending on their ethnic heritage. White men suffer severe baldness concerns. Men of Chinese or Japanese origin experience the disorder less. On the other hand, Native Americans or natives of the First Nations are not usually the victims of male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness can be hereditary. Men whose maternal grandfather has male pattern baldness are more likely to carry male pattern baldness symptoms. Two-thirds of men experience male pattern baldness. The chances of hairfall increase with age.

What Are the Primary Causes of Male Pattern Baldness?

A considerable number of factors lead to male pattern baldness. The factors include,

Gene:  

Males inherit the X chromosome from their mother and the Y chromosome from their father. The AR gene on the X chromosome determines how the male body makes androgens. It influences male pattern baldness.

Age: 

Aging men are more likely to develop male pattern baldness. 25% of men notice the first signs of hair loss before the age of 21. 50% of them experience hair loss by age 50, and over time, the risk increases to 70%. 

Hormones

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen. These are a class of sex hormones that help me reach puberty and develop physically. The growth includes hair growth on the face, scalp, chest, and genitals. According to medical experts, DHT may be closely linked to hair follicle shrinkage.

How to Diagnose Male Pattern Baldness?

The primary causes of hair fall are known in most cases. If hair loss occurs due to a treatment such as chemotherapy, the cause is already known. In the other case, the doctor has to run a few tests and ask the patient a series of questions to identify the underlying causes. What the doctor does include,

  • Know the man’s family history and genetic disorders 
  • Check the man’s medical history 
  • Run blood tests to assess the man’s thyroid and iron levels
  • Check whether there is any scalp infection
  • The doctor performs a “pull test,” pulling a few hairs from the patient’s scalp to assess the stage of infection.
  • The doctor may perform a scalp biopsy to check for an infection.
  • A doctor may run a microscopic test to check for any possible disorder in the hair shaft. 

What Are the Potent Treatments for Hair Loss?

Effective solutions are available to treat hair loss. In some cases, the issue is entirely preventable, or at least potent treatments can slow down the process. If you have a healthy hair growth cycle, your hair may grow in a year without treatment. However, specific hair loss treatment includes –

Hair Transplant 

In a hair transplant, the hair care professional removes the hair from the thickest area of the scalp. Then, the professional transplants the strands into the area with visible hair loss. A man may need more than one transplant to enjoy the desired results.

Laser Therapy 

Various small studies have shown that the laser therapy increases hair density. Further studies are necessary to prove the long-term effects.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

The medical professional separates the plasma from the blood. Then, the expert injects the 

 Platelet-rich plasma into the scalp. The PRP treatment slows down the hair loss and boosts hair growth.

Medication 

When your hair loss problem doesn’t have a clear reason, a doctor’s consultation is much needed. It’s important to find the right kind of treatment to identify the underlying cause. In case a medicine causes you to lose hair, your doctor may advise you to stop the medicine. Different medicines are available in the market to treat hereditary baldness.

How to Prevent Male Pattern Baldness?

There is no way to prevent male pattern baldness. However, there are several ways to grow your hair and keep it healthy. Follow the tips below to protect and nurture your hair. 

  • A daily healthy diet with protein and iron-rich foods
  • Reducing the stress level
  • Treating a medical condition that may result in hair loss
  • Maintaining thyroid level
  • Not tying the hair tightly
  • Not dying or curling your hair
  • Taking precautions during chemotherapy, if cancer treatment is on

There are other ways as well. When a man suffers from rapid hair loss and seeks a solution, he may try various ways to regain hair growth. It might include scalp massages, biotin supplements, not smoking, etc. 

When to Visit A Doctor?

If your hair loss is causing disturbances or obstructions, consult your doctor. Talk to your haircare professional if you notice sudden hair loss. On the other hand, having excessive hair is an indication of bad health.  The doctor recommended remedies include – 

  • Hair supplements 
  • Prescription medicines 
  • Hair supplements 
  • Essential oil 
  • Applying antioxidants to the scalp
  • Taking daily care of your hair and scalp
  • Protecting your hair during sleep hours

Hair loss can be emotionally draining. A man must talk to the follicle expert to identify potential causes and treat them. Effective hair treatments reduce hair loss and encourage new hair growth. People love to take pride in their hair. And, when you experience hair loss, consult your doctor. Don’t feel embarrassed; your hair isn’t your identity. Yet again, the undeniable fact is that beautiful, healthy hair makes one look more beautiful and confident. Moreover, excessive hair fall might be an indicator of your latent ill health, too. A consultation with a verified healthcare professional diagnoses the root causes and applies effective treatment methods to help them get back on their feet with confidence and personality. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day?

It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 a day. According to sources, up to 150 strands shedding is normal for those with thick hair density.

Is male pattern baldness curable?

Male Pattern Baldness (MPD) is not totally curable. But, potent medicines can slow down the process and lead to less hair loss.

What are the potent medications to prevent hairfall?

Potent medications like FDA-approved Finasteride 5 mg Tablets, Fincar 5 mg Tablets, Finpecia 1 mg Tablets are the best treatment options for those suffering hair loss.

Is hair transplant permanent?

Yes. Transplants are permanent as they are planted from DHT-resistant areas.

How soon can you see the result after taking hairfall medicine?

You need around 6 months to understand whether your hair loss medicines are working in the right direction.