Hair Loss For Men

There are several reasons for hair loss among which are thyroid gland disorders, heredity, hormones, excessive stress, chemotherapy, certain prescription drugs and dehydration.

Hair loss is the appearance of thinning hair or bald patches on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or on areas of the body that previously had hair, such as the arms or legs. On average, everyone naturally loses 50-100 of their 100,000 scalp hairs per day. Abnormal hair loss is caused when hair falls out at an accelerated rate, or when over time, hairs are not replaced as quickly as they fall out.

Hair loss can happen to men, women, infants and children in all socioeconomic strata and geographic areas. Genetic hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss. Also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, it affects around 80 million people in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Hair loss can gradually build over weeks or months, or it can occur abruptly, such as when it occurs with telogen effluvium (sudden hair loss due to a stressful physical event). Hair loss can also be due to other hair disorders, such as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own hair, or trichotillomania, a psychological disorder in which people pull out their own hair

The conversion of the hormone testosterone to DHT triggers a change in the genetically predisposed hair follicles at the front and top of the head. The genetic code of the hair cells determines how it will respond to the conversion. These follicles actually slow down production of the new hair until, over time, they stop producing completely and the hair follicle lies dormant. When the existing hair falls out, no new hair grows in that particular follicle to replace the lost strand.

If you have noticed hair loss, the best thing to do is to get a professional evaluation to determine the cause. Once the cause of the hair loss is identified, your doctor might recommend Minoxidil (Rogaine®) which is the most common and popular topical over the counter treatment. Rogaine® can be used by both men and women. In addition to Rogaine® there is Finasteride (Propecia®), which is an oral medication that can help prevent hair loss in men. Finasteride (Propecia), is only approved for men. It is commonly understood that Rogaine® and Propecia do a better job at maintaining current hair and reducing the rate of hair loss rather then re-growing new hair.

In addition to over the counter and prescription medication such as Rogaine® and Propecia®, other cosmetic options available include, Laser Hair Therapy, Wigs, Hair Weaves, and Hair Transplants.

Genetics – Hair loss is inherited through a gene from either your mother or father. If your father is bald, you may have a 50% chance of following in his footsteps. Even though there are many wives tales about knowing who will lose their hair, it is only a probable chance that it will happen.

Illness – Accelerated hair loss can be caused by chronic mental illness, any disease associated with high fever, chronic course of relative debilitation, post-pregnancy, oral contraceptives, drugs and nutrition.

Stress – Accelerated hair loss can be linked to stress. Stress due to illness, death in the family, or hardships in life can cause hair loss.

Age – Baldness occurs when the normal growth stage begins to slow.

Sex – Though predominately associated with men, hair loss is a physiological event in both men and women. Hair loss is most commonly called Male Patterned Alopecia or Male Patterned Baldness.