Top 6 Causes of Men’s Hair Loss

Thinning crown, receding hairline, growing bald patches? Hair loss affects as many as 50% of men by the time they reach their 50s. Some will even see the onset of hair loss as early as their 20s. But this does not mean that you have no choice but to accept a future of baldness. Getting to the root of the problem is the first vital step towards finding hair loss solutions for men.

Read on to know the 6 common causes of men’s hair loss.

Genetics

Do you think you have the baldness gene? Your grandfather’s bald, your father’s bald, your uncles are bald—now you’re browsing through the causes of men’s hair loss because you’re worried that you’re next in line.

Accounting for 95% of hair loss cases among men, male pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia happens when you have a genetically predisposed sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Extensive research has shown that male pattern hair loss is associated with male sex hormones called androgens, particularly DHT. Among the many functions of androgens include regulating hair growth. DHT disrupts the hair’s growth cycle, cutting short the active growing phase and pushing hair to fall out prematurely. The hair that replaces the fallen strands is finer and shorter. This process is called miniaturization. Eventually, no new hair grows in its place.

How do you know if you have male pattern hair loss? The hair loss begins on both temples with the hairline progressively receding to form a characteristic “M” shape. There is also thinning at the crown, which often progresses to partial or complete baldness.

Stress

If you’re wondering about male hair loss causes, your overloaded work-week schedule, unhealthy lifestyle, and lack of sleep might offer a clue. Stress is a major culprit of hair fall.

Each of your hair follicles is constantly cycling between a growth phase (anagen) and a resting phase (telogen). That’s why it’s normal to shed 50 to 100 hair strands daily. Those hairs are simply in telogen. But if you notice heavier than normal hair shedding, you need to consult with a professional for a thorough scalp check.

Studies suggest that stress can interrupt the hair’s life cycle, cutting short the anagen phase and prematurely pushing hair follicles into the telogen phase all at once.

Diet

It’s surprising, but true: your diet can impact your hair, too. A diet that lacks protein, iron, and other nutrients has been linked to thinning hair.

Additionally, rapid, drastic weight loss is one of the most common male hair loss causes. That’s because your hair strands are made up of protein fibers, which means your body needs adequate protein and calories to “feed” your hair follicles. So if you’re following a strict diet that drastically lowers your calorie and nutrient intake, that can result in your hair follicles getting prematurely pushed to a resting phase. This leads to heavy hair shedding. People usually experience hair loss within 3 months of starting fad diets.

Underlying medical condition

Is it really just hair loss or is it something more serious? One of the hair fall causes in males that you should be careful not to miss is a possible undiagnosed medical problem. Your hair is very sensitive to changes in your body. Sudden unexplainable hair loss might be a symptom of an underlying health condition, such as thyroid problems, immune system issues, or certain scalp infections.

Improper hair care

Got long hair that you often put in a man-bun? Any hairstyle that pulls too tightly at the roots can lead to a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. Or you might be using hair products with harsh chemicals that might damage your hair follicles. These are all common male hair loss causes.

On the opposite end, if you’re not too keen on hair care routines and leave your scalp clogged with dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, then this might lead to itchy flakes and irritations that impede healthy hair growth and ultimately result in hair loss, too.

Certain medications

Side effects of certain medications and treatments can be causes of men’s hair loss. Usually, these are medications or treatments for cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, depression, and heart problems.

Watch out for these symptoms

Now that you know the common hair fall causes in males, here are the most common signs that you need to watch out for.

Scalp growing more visible

Are you seeing more and more of your scalp each time you look at the mirror? Check your crown area if there is a growing sparse spot.

Bald Patches

Most cases of hair loss in men follow a similar pattern (the “M” shape caused by male pattern hair loss). However, some men might experience random patches of bald spots.

Unusually heavy hair fall

A highly stressful event can “shock” your system and cause hair strands to come out in clumps when you shower, comb, or run your fingers through your hair.

Irritated scalp

It is known that healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. The reverse is also true. If your scalp is showing signs of poor health, like irritations, scaling, or redness, then hair loss might soon follow.

Do a quick mirror check. Are you starting to see any of these signs? Get a hair and scalp check-up at Svenson today. We have certified trichologists with extensive experience who are able to properly diagnose the causes of men’s hair loss. They can thoroughly analyze the condition of your hair and scalp and recommend the best treatments to address your concern.

In the hands of Svenson’s hair loss experts, you can finally put to rest all the guesswork and trial-and-error with products and medications. The sooner you get your hair loss correctly treated, the more hair you can save and restore.

Fight for every strand with Svenson’s hair loss solutions for men. Book a free consultation today.