Hair Loss Causes for Men
Types of hair loss
Androgenetic Alopecia
Male pattern baldness, as it is more popularly called, is the most prevalent kind of hair loss. Men lose hair for several reasons, but most cases of male pattern baldness are genetically predisposed to DHT. DHT-sensitive hair follicles miniaturize, endanger their lifespan, and quit creating cosmetic hair.
In male pattern baldness, a receding hairline and thinning crown are the typical symptoms. Hair in these locations, especially the temples and mid-anterior scalp, appears to be the most susceptible to DHT. This pattern eventually develops to baldness over the scalp, leaving only a rim or ‘horseshoe’ pattern of hair.
A byproduct or derivative of testosterone is DHT. The enzyme Type II 5-alpha-reductase, which is stored in the oil glands of hair follicles, helps convert testosterone to DHT.
Although the exact genetic cause of male pattern baldness remains unclear, DHT is known to cause hair follicles to shrink.
Hair follicles persist in their growth while DHT is inhibited. DHT-sensitive hair follicles need to be exposed to the hormone for an extended length of time in order to finish the process of shrinkage. These days, this process can be slowed down or even prevented if detected early enough with the right help.
Common Causes of Hair Loss in Men
In men, male pattern baldness is the cause of almost 95% of hair loss. Approximately two-thirds of males will have noticeable hair loss by the age of 35, and by the age of 50, that number rises to 85%. Most people with this illness are unhappy with their hair loss and would do anything to remedy it, as it can damage their personal and professional lives.
Alopecia Areata
Bald patches called alopecia areata can appear and go. Whilst it can strike at any age, teens and young men are the most commonly affected. Before turning 20, six out of ten men with this syndrome experience their first bald patch. Since one in five affected individuals have a family history of the ailment, alopecia areata is supposed to be caused by an immune system malfunction. It is also thought that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to the condition. Alopecia areata frequently manifests as distinct, circular bald patches on the scalp, but hair usually regrows within a year or so.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a common form of hair loss that happens when there is a change in the number of hair follicles growing hair. When the body goes through something traumatic like major surgery, a severe infection, or extreme stress, many of the 90 percent or so of hair in the anagen (growing phase) or catagen (resting phase) can shift all at once into the shedding (telogen phase). About 6 weeks to three months after the stressful event is usually when this hair loss condition can start. It starts as a diffuse thinning of hair on the scalp that may not be even all over and can be more severe in some areas than others. Normally the hair on top of the scalp thins more than it does at the back and sides and there is usually no hairline recession. Men with telogen effluvium never completely lose all their scalp hair and the hair can be noticeably thin in severe cases, but the condition is fully reversible. The hair follicles are not permanently or irreversibly affected; there are just more follicles in a resting state than normal. The trigger factors for this condition are many and varied but arguably the two most common causes are chronic stress and diet deficiency. It is believed that chronic stress can gradually have a negative effect on hair growth and lead to persistent telogen effluvium.
Anagen Effluvium
is similar to telogen effluvium in that it causes diffuse hair loss, but it progresses more faster and can result in total hair loss in certain cases. The condition is most commonly brought on by chemotherapy or when using cytostatic medications for cancer. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells, which also affects hair follicles in the anagen period. About 90% or more of the hairs may fall out while still in the anagen phase shortly after chemotherapy starts.
Anagen effluvium can develop quickly, yet recovery can happen just as quickly. The follicles are just frozen in time, so once the anagen effluvium-causing component is eliminated, they are prepared to grow.