Hairloss 101 - What Causes Hair Loss?
Welcome to “Hair Loss 101”. Please take your seats and put away your notebooks, as this class will be taught entirely through lecture. Okay, all jokes aside, this article is going to discuss the primary reason that most males experience hair loss, effective treatments, and how to properly handle hair loss.
What causes hair loss?
Hair loss in most adult males is caused by a hormone called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is also linked towards prostate cancer in men. DHT is not found in women in any significant levels, which explains why it is very rare for women to experience balding. This hormone inhibits proper hair growth, causing the gradual thinning effect as more and more hairs fall off of the scalp through normal hair loss.
Other reasons for hair loss include thyroid troubles, certain medication or medical treatments, traction, and illness.
- Thyroid malfunctions – An overactive or underactive may cause you to begin losing hair. This type of hair loss is the direct result of the medical condition, and generally it ceases when the condition itself is treated. This type of hair loss is generally temporary.
- Medication/Medical treatments – Hormonal imbalances, either the result of a medical condition or by certain medication, may cause hair loss. This type of hair loss can generally be treated by switching medication or concluded when the medical treatments have ended. It is generally temporary.
- Traction – Wearing your hair in a pony tail or tight bun can actually promote hair loss over a prolonged period of time. This is because scar tissue eventually develops where the hair has fallen out preventing regrowth.
- Illness/Stress – It is quite common to experience sudden and dramatic hair loss months after a major illness or period of extreme stress. This is the result of the severe stress placed on the body during the illness and is temporary.
Effective hair loss treatments
In the case of DHT, the primary treatment is with medications that prevent its secretion into the scalp. The most common are minoxidil and Finasteride, which operate under the brand names Rogaine and Propecia respectively. Both of these treatments require relatively lengthy treatment periods, though both have relatively high success rates.
Talk with your doctor about possible hair loss treatments that may be appropriate for you.
How to handle hair loss
You can always tell which men are handling their hair loss gracefully and which are a bit bitter. If your hair is starting to thin out it may be time to try a new hair style, consider shaving your head, or adapting your current hair style so that it suits your new hairline.
Stressing out about hair loss is unnecessary, as little can actually be done outside of treatments that are orchestrated with your doctor. Most men will experience some form of hair loss, as it is a rather unavoidable consequence. Essentially, it is part of being a male.