Hair loss in men is more common than you’d think. Take an unofficial survey as you walk through the streets of any major city, and you’ll see all different forms of hair loss under discussion in this article. You may be suffering hair loss yourself and will recognise the most likely type of condition you have. This blog post will briefly touch on the treatments available for hair loss in men.
A Receding Hairline
A receding hairline is probably the classic manifestation of hair loss in the majority of men and the most common type. Its medical term is male pattern balding and is where hair loss draws a pattern, starting from either side of the forehead. Hair loss forms the recognisable’ pattern and if you’re a follower of athletics, then just think of Sir Mo Farrah’s Mobot, and you get the picture. In some men hair loss only affects the sides of the forehead and others experience thinning at the crown, too.
If you think you are suffering from a receding condition, speak to a hair loss specialist to receive an official diagnosis. Licensed medicines like finasteride and minoxidil are available to slow down and treat male pattern balding.
General Hair Thinning In Men
Hair loss that spreads evenly across the top of your scalp. You may notice a distinct thinning crown or a receding hairline or general thinning which may take longer to detect. Depending on the natural coverage of hair and how long you keep it, you may never really know that you’re suffering from hair loss until the thinning becomes widespread. In men with longer hair, this type of hair loss may present as thin wispy strands of hair. In most cases, it’s never too late to seek help for hair loss. Instead of resigning yourself to a lifetime of baldness or resorting to shaving your head, there are treatments you can turn to reverse the signs of hair loss.
The Thinning Crown
There are several reasons why men experience hair thinning at the crown. Hair loss may be a natural part of ageing in men, but premature hair loss can occur in younger men. The crown, also known as the vertex, may go bald together with the receding hair around the temples. However, most men have one or the other and not both conditions.
It is erroneous to believe that thinning hair at the crown is a one way street to baldness. Medical treatments for thinning crown as well as hair transplant options are available if you want to take control of your hair loss.
Alopecia Areata
Sudden patchy hair loss on the scalp or any other parts of the body is known as alopecia areata. The condition is due to hair follicles suddenly entering into the resting or telogen phase all at once. There is still a lot of research into finding the cause of alopecia areata, but observations indicate a link to autoimmune disorders. Several factors may influence the initiation and progression of alopecia such as physical injury, viral or bacterial infection, hormones, allergies or chemical exposure.
The condition appears as bald patches and may turn into a permanent condition known as alopecia totalitalis if not treated. High strength minoxidil can often reverse the effects of alopecia areata if there is no other cause such as a hormonal condition.
Sudden Hair Loss (telogen effluvium)
Telogen effluvium is part of the natural hair growth cycle. It becomes a problem when masses of hair follicles enter into telogen, to be lost three months later. Men on average lose about 100 hair daily but may lose significantly more, 30% to 50% of hair when undergoing telogen effluvium. Triggers of sudden hair loss include severe illness, injury, infection, surgery, crash diets, stress, thyroid disorders, iron deficiency or drugs. Also, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause telogen effluvium.
You will know you are suffering sudden hair loss if you start seeing more hair in the shower or on the hairbrush. The hair on the scalp will most likely thin, as well as hair loss all over the body. Hair lost due to the effects of telogen effluvium will usually grow back once the trigger is resolved.
Getting Help For Hair Loss
Hair loss is a condition that will not go away without treatment. Unless of course, it’s due to telogen effluvium and the trigger naturally corrects. Vinci Hair Clinic specialises in hair restoration and treating hair loss in men. Whether you have thinning hair, androgenetic alopecia or another hair loss condition, hair restoration experts are waiting to help you. Find out more about the pros and cons of the different treatments, whether surgical or non-invasive treatments by visiting the treatments pages. If you’d like to discuss your hair situation with experienced professionals, book a consultation today.
