The Facts Behind Male Hair Loss and What You Can Do About it

No man wants to look in the mirror and discover that they are going bald. Hair loss is something that affects a huge proportion of men around the globe, and yet it is still something that can cause a great deal of anxiety and stress. One of the main reasons for this is that, as with so many health issues that seem to come with a disproportionate amount of worry and shame, people just don’t have enough information about it. Hair loss can be caused by a whole range of different factors from genetic to internal factors, and what you do about it is entirely up to you.

For some people, hair loss and baldness is a natural process that they choose to embrace. For others, it may be caused by circumstances that are out of their control, and they may decide to seek medical advice or alternative treatments to push back against that follicle fallout. However you decide to move forward, a little more information will certainly help you to make the right decision. Here are a few things that you should know about hair loss.

Sometimes Going Bald Is Genetic

The inherited wisdom seems to vary, but everyone has heard at least one variation on “if your mother’s father was bold, then you will be too.” It is true that there are some genetic factors that will make losing your hair more likely, and if you have a lot of bald men in your family, then the odds will probably be stacked against you. Hereditary baldness is one of the most common types, and it’s called “androgenic alopecia.” However, it’s a little more complicated than having your fate determined by the hairlines of your cousins and uncles.

There is hormone behind the hereditary thinning hairline: Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. If you have inherited male pattern baldness, you have a passed-on sensitivity to DHT which affects the way that your hair follicles respond to it. These follicles shrink over time, meaning that the hairs become finer and shorter before finally new hair growth stops completely. If this is something that you have inherited, this is where you’ll see thinning hair in the traditional places such as the crown (the famous “bald spot”) or around the temples as your hairline slowly pushes back. If you’re considering shaving your head bald, you should check out the best balding clippers online.

However, There Are Other Factors

While genetic factors are the predominant reason for men going bald, there are other potential causes that should not be discounted. Male pattern baldness is typically a one-way process but many of these other causes will only result in temporary hair loss. 

Some of these factors can be found in your lifestyle. If you suddenly find yourself under an unusual degree of severe stress, hair loss is one of the more common health issues to come from that. If your diet is notably lacking in key nutrients such as protein or iron, then you might start to notice that your hair is thinning. This is something to keep any eye on if you are on a protein rich diet, so you’re going to want to make sure that you are getting enough iron-rich foods too.

There are also some illnesses and medications that can cause hair loss, so if you have any concerns in that area it is always worth talking to your doctor.

There Are Treatments Available

While some men may decide to embrace their baldness and pick up the trimmer, there are options out there for anyone who wants to boost their hair and fight back against permanent or temporary hair loss. It’s important to note that the way we treat our scalps has an impact, so think carefully about how often you are shampooing and look at products that are gentler on your skin. Popular scalp treatments include Regaine, which contains minoxidil, and which aims to increase the blood flow to your follicles to help to stimulate them to regrow hair.

There are other hair loss treatments available, including Propecia and Finasteride, which both help to cut down on the creation of DHT (which as we mentioned, is one of the reasons for follicle shrinkage. For more information and to find the right hair loss treatment for you, Chemist Click offers a range of options and resources with fast delivery. 

Remember To Talk To Someone If You’re Worried

Yes, a lot of male baldness is hereditary and perfectly natural, but as we mentioned, it can also be a sign that something is wrong elsewhere. If you are at all worried about the amount of hair you are losing, or how you are losing it, use healthcare resources and talk to your GP

Similarly, if the idea of losing your hair is something you are finding hard to deal with, don’t be afraid to talk to a professional. This can be an intense, emotional experience, particularly if you’re going through it at a young age, so remember that that there are resources to help you.

Rachel Bartee

Rachel Bartee is a blogger and freelance writer dreaming of a tour round the world to write a story of her greatest life adventure. For the time being, she feels inspired by her daily yoga sessions and studies Interpersonal Relationships.