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Hair Loss

Top 10 Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Hair loss affects more than half of men by the time they reach 50. When it happens, it generally causes a lot of stress, and quite often guys search for answers online.

But before you freak out and start searching for “balding cures” on the net, it’s important to understand there are various causes of hair loss and different treatments for each.

Here we give you the top 10 reasons men lose their hair and what you can do about it.

1 – Blame your Mum and Dad

The most common cause of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness which causes the classic U shaped pattern on the top of the head. You may be affected by a receding hairline, thinning at the crown or a combination of both.

Does this sound like you? If so, it’s purely genetic, and you can thank your mum or dad for that.

Although there’s no cure for male pattern baldness, you can effectively treat it.

With modern medicine, it’s possible to stop further hair loss and regrow hair lost in recent years. Just remember, early intervention is the best strategy as there’s a limitation to hair much hair you can grow back.

 2 – You’re too Stressed

Despite what most people think, stress is very rarely the cause of hair loss. When it is the cause, it’s usually the result of intense physical or emotional stress.

This type of hair loss causes a sudden widespread thinning instead of a receding hairline or thinning at the crown.

You can fix this “easily”, just remove the stress! 

Easier said than done, but there’s plenty of resources from the Black Dog Institute to help you along the way.

Your hair should return to normal after six months of removing the stress. 

 3 – You’re not eating right

You’ve heard the old saying, “You are what you eat”. Well, it’s true, your hair needs nutrients to grow and stay healthy. Sudden weight loss, low iron levels or a poor diet can all lead to shedding.

Once again, this shedding tends to be more widespread than the typical U shaped male pattern baldness. 

Eating a well-balanced diet of protein, fruit, vegetables, and legumes will get you back on track, and hair should start to return to normal after six months. 

If you’re not sure, a simple blood test from the doctor can confirm if nutrition is the issue.

 4 – You’re just too trendy

If you’re sporting a man bun, undercut with a tight ponytail or a set of braids, this could be your issue.

Also known as traction alopecia, this type of hair loss results from the hair being under constant tension, causing it to break and come loose. 

If traction alopecia continues, a person may develop bald spots or thinning of the hair.

A simple fix is to forgo the fashion and opt for a different hairstyle or mix it up a bit. 

 5 – Your immune system has gone awol

Occasionally our body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles along with other healthy parts of the body. This is known as Alopecia Areata and causes the hair to fall out suddenly.

Hair from the scalp, as well as eyebrows and eyelashes, may fall out in small chunks.

If you’re suffering from this type of hair loss, you need to see a doctor.

 6- Your Metabolism Is just not right

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism (thyroid hormone either under or overactive) can cause hair loss. The loss is widespread and involves the entire scalp rather than the traditional receding or thinning of male pattern baldness. The hair appears uniformly sparse.

This type of hair loss requires a visit to the doctor for testing and usually medication to correct the thyroid hormone levels. Hair will return with successful treatment though it takes several months and may be incomplete. 

 7 – You’ve got mushrooms growing on your scalp

Well, not quite, but fungal infections of the scalp (ringworm) can cause hair loss and temporary bald spots on the head.

It usually starts as a small spot that gets bigger, causing scaly, bald patches of skin.

Occasionally it may heal by itself; otherwise, your doctor will be able to prescribe an anti-fungal medicine to sort it out.

8 – You may have Psoriasis (saw-ria-sis) of the scalp

Easily mistaken for dandruff, psoriasis of the scalp causes an overproduction of skin cells visible as large white flakes. This condition can sometimes damage hair follicles and lead to temporary hair loss.

If you suspect psoriasis may be the cause of your hair loss, consult your doctor or pharmacist. You can treat it with a medicated shampoo such as Ketoconazole (Nizoral).

Hair growth should return to normal shortly after you’ve treated it.

 9 – You may have Seborrheic Dermatitis

It sounds scary, but this is generally a harmless skin condition sometimes found on the scalp. It usually presents with small red patches that are often itchy.

Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by an inflammatory response in your scalp and can cause you to have large bald patches on your head.

It requires medical treatment from your doctor. Hair growth should resume once your scalp is less inflamed.

10 – It’s the drugs

Certain medications have side effects that can cause hair to fall out.

If you’ve started a new medicine within six months of the beginning of your hair loss, it may be due to a medication you are taking. 

Speak with your doctor or pharmacist to check whether this may be the cause of your hair loss.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons why you might be losing your hair. Bear in mind that 95% of hair loss in men is due to genetics, but this doesn’t mean you just have to accept your fate. With a personalised treatment from a registered doctor, you can take back control of your hairline and keep it for years to come.

Still CONFUSED?

Complete our FREE Online Assessment. It takes less than 5 minutes, and one of our consultants will determine the cause of your hair loss and how best to treat it.