Men often suffer from hair loss. Some people take such an ailment easily, writing off everything to physiology and heredity, while others try to keep thick hair as long as possible and take all possible measures, recommended by specialists-trichologists. It is interesting that alopecia is not always due to heredity, let’s look at the 15 main causes.
Table of Contents
1. Immune system malfunction
Intense hair loss in men may be caused by a severe autoimmune system malfunction. In this case, alopecia can begin in the form of foci with different localization: at the back of the head, in the parietal or frontal zone, on the temples, the beard, the eyebrows. Noticing such hair loss, you need to urgently consult an immunologist and andrologist. It is important not only to keep hair, but also to prevent damage to the body’s internal organs and systems.
2. Improper care
Washing too often, as well as too infrequently, has an adverse effect on the condition of the hair and scalp. Hygiene procedures should be performed as dirty as possible, not according to a certain schedule. If there is a need to wash every day, then you should choose shampoos designed for frequent use.
3. Stress
Stress affects the general well-being, provokes a worsening of chronic diseases, causes alopecia. Stress causes hair loss in both men and women. The follicle nutrition is disturbed, so that new hair does not grow.
We recommend avoiding stress, but this is not always possible. To reduce the damage caused by excessive stress and constant fatigue, it is necessary to visit a doctor in order to find drugs. It can be both antidepressants and herbal teas with a calming effect.
4. Lack of vitamins
Lack of nutrients in the body may be the reason for hair loss — vitamins, minerals, trace elements. Poor nutrition of the hair follicles leads to hair thinning and consequently to hair loss or thinning. Men develop bald spots that become larger over time. Vitamin-mineral complexes can help stop the process. It is better to select the drugs together with a specialist based on the results of tests.
5. Thyroid diseases
The formation of baldness, diffuse as well as focal and total forms of hair loss may be associated with incorrect functioning of the thyroid gland. Alopecia is observed both in hypothyroidism (insufficient production of hormones by the thyroid), and in hyperthyroidism (excessive activity of the organ). An endocrinologist should be consulted. These conditions are corrected with medications. Other glandular diseases can also cause alopecia. Proper treatment by an endocrinologist together with a trichologist restores not only the hair, but also the hormonal background, which affects all aspects of life.
6. Heredity
If grandfather and father began to develop baldness at a mature or young age, their descendants are likely to have the same scenario. Consultation with a trichologist will help to delay the process. When the therapeutic methods no longer help, you can resort to surgery — hair transplants.
7. Taking medications
Most medications have contraindications, among which is often alopecia. They don’t always say so in the package leaflets. Some antibiotics, hormonal pills, immune suppressants, antidepressants and other drugs have a negative impact on the hair. If it is impossible to cancel the intake of such medications, it is necessary to pay attention to nutrition, sports, care, in order to minimize the damage of taking drugs for hair.
8. Age-related changes
Age-related changes affect all parts of the body. In their old age, rare people can boast of having hair as thick and beautiful as it was in their youth. As we age, the hair begins to thin at the temples, in the frontal area, there are gaps, bald spots. The process of hair loss is extremely difficult to stop, but it is possible to slow it down.
9. Addison’s disease
Every year, a part of the population is diagnosed with Addison’s disease. It is not very common and is characterized by a lack of adrenal hormone production. When this disease causes hair thinning, bald patches appear, and sometimes baldness becomes total.
10. Down Syndrome
Both boys and girls are born with Down syndrome. However, it is mostly males who lose their hair as a result of the disease.
11. Environmental Factors
Living in an environmentally unfriendly place and working in a hazardous factory leaves a mark on our hair. They become dull, brittle, thin, and fall out. If you can’t move or change jobs, you need to eat more fresh vegetables, eat foods containing zinc and iron, and take better care of your hair. This can help reduce environmental damage.
12. Eating disorders
A poor or improper diet leads to a lack of useful elements in the body. Strict diets, illnesses that make normal eating impossible, a preoccupation with fast food, fatty and fried foods contribute to hair loss.
Often a person cannot connect baldness and their eating habits, missing important time for treatment. You can always get advice on dietary adjustments after seeing a professional.
13. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis — Scalp disease, in which hair loss is common. Seborrhea comes in many forms: oily, dry, and mixed. Alopecia is possible with each.
Dermatitis is characterized by a number of symptoms: dandruff, itching, inflammation, feeling of tightness, crusts. With oily seborrhea, the dandruff is coarse and clings to the hair — Fine, flakes easily. Hair loss in seborrhea is caused by clogged pores and follicles, which impedes the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the scalp.
14. Bad habits
Smoking, alcohol and other toxic substances weaken the body. It is more difficult to recover, the skin becomes more dry, hair and nails — brittle. The nutrients with food are spent on the work of internal organs and few reach the follicles. It causes hair to fall out and lose its well-groomed appearance.
15. Exposure to low and high temperatures
Walking outdoors is undoubtedly useful, but it is important to follow simple rules: in the heat wear a cap or hat, in the cold — warm hat. Exposure to high and low temperatures negatively affects the hair shafts and bulbs.
Hair loss treatment for men
Professional hair loss products — shampoos, masks, sprays — Men’s hair contains active substances that can improve blood circulation in the scalp, strengthen follicles and stimulate hair growth. With the help of such formulas it is possible to maintain the health of the hair. If alopecia is related to temporary problems — Spring avitaminosis or stress, the use of professional care products will prevent significant hair loss. A specialist can help you choose the proper care and medications.
Medical methods
D’Arsonvalization. It consists of applying a small current to the skin, which favors the dilation of vessels, metabolism acceleration and a decrease in the secretion of sebum.
Laser therapy. The technique involves the use of a low-intensity laser. It is used to strengthen the hair and stimulate the growth of new hair.
Plasmolifting. An effective method based on injecting the patient’s own blood plasma enriched with platelets into the skin. This method is good because the probability of side effects is reduced to zero, because the human body’s own resources are used.
Non-injection mesotherapy. Modern method of hair treatment. The technology consists of applying currents to the skin, which help the nutrient mixture applied during the procedure to penetrate into the cells. It promotes tissue regeneration and improves microcirculation.
Mesotherapy. The procedure involves injecting a special mesococktail into the middle layers of the dermis. The active substances help restore the structure and the pigment of the hair, improve the blood circulation in the follicle. The technique is much more effective than the use of surface cosmetic formulations.
Ozone therapy. It is a safe and painless technique without major contraindications and has an excellent therapeutic effect. Treatments are done in courses (8–10 visits). To treat hair, local effects are applied, in which the gas is delivered through «greenhouse» or subcutaneously.
Scalp massage as a way to fight hair loss
Proven method of hair growth activation — head massage. With its help you can improve not only your mood, but also the blood circulation. The procedure lasts about 10 minutes. After performing the necessary manipulations on the patient’s scalp, the masseur often proceeds to the collar zone, which further increases the blood flow to the problem areas and relaxes.
There are no painful effects — The handler touches the skin easily by stroking or running his fingers in a circular motion.
Conclusion
Hair loss in men can be caused by a variety of reasons and even a complex of them. If measures are taken in time, baldness can be stopped or eliminated. Your doctor can help you find an effective treatment.