What Causes Hair Loss in Men?

In a man’s life, suffering from hair loss and thinning appears to be inevitable for some and almost certain for elderly men. In reality, hair loss is far from certain, but conversely if it does happen most men start losing hair at a young age, often before 30.

Numerous factors cause hair loss in men – : perhaps the best-known cause is androgenetic alopecia, hair loss with inheritance characteristics. Male hair problems can be caused by many non-genetic factors. To understand the most common causes of hair loss and baldness in men, let’s have a detailed look at the different driving factors.

What is male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness, medically referred to as androgenetic alopecia, is a condition that affects more than half of men over the age of 50. It usually comes on gradually, and as research suggests, it often begins at the temples. 

The common causes of male pattern baldness include age, genetics, and hormones. As the condition progresses, the affected person’s hairline tends to take the shape of an ‘M’.

This condition can progress further, causing thinning of the hair at the apex of the head (crown), partial or, in some cases, can lead to total baldness. Fortunately, there are a number of   prescription treatments for androgenic baldness. 

Although hair loss can affect both men and women, it is much more common in the former. The male pattern differs from the female one because the hairline does not retract in the latter. In fact, in women, the thinning generally begins to manifest itself on the entire surface of the head.

To better understand the characteristics of male pattern baldness, its manifestations and symptoms need to be considered. The common signs and symptoms include:

• Gradual thinning at the apex of the head
• Sudden hair loss
• Hairless areas that appear circular or inhomogeneous
• Hairless patches that extend

The ideal way to treat this type of hair loss is through prescription-only medication. 

Can stress cause hair loss?

Stress and hair loss are often closely linked. Stress is a problem that affects our body both internally and externally. It can cause effects, such as telogen hair loss, more pronounced than when going through stressful situations or anxiety. 

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that narrows the arteries and increases blood levels when we are under stress. This increase means that blood circulation is slowed down, reducing irrigation to the scalp. When you go through an episode of high stress, most of the hair goes into the telogen phase, and a large amount falls off in a short time.

Stress harms the health of your hair in many ways, as it affects sleep cycles, alters appetite and metabolism, and can even cause physical symptoms that affect you day in and day out. This greatly affects your hair, depriving the body of all the necessary nutrients due to a poorly balanced diet will lead to weak hair structures.

Can depression cause hair loss?

When a person suffers from depression, a large amount of stress hormones is released into his blood, this causes peripheral (calp blood vessels) to constrict and blood flow to them is significantly reduced. It is this spasm that leads to disruption of the blood supply to the hair follicles. If this bout of depression is a one off, then the blood vessels of the scalp will eventually return to normal. Constant nervous tension does not give the body time to recuperate and the speed of baldness gains momentum.

Stress can turn into lingering depression or other psychological disturbances. The consequence of which can lead to:

• Poor dietary intake (reducing essential nutrients)
• Suffers from drowsiness or insomnia (exacerbating the “stress”)
• Reduced exercise/outdoor activities (reducing the oxygenation)

This also significantly contributes to hair loss.

Can Psoriasis cause hair loss?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes raised, inflamed, and scaly patches called plaques on the skin. Plaques can appear  anywhere on the body, but the scalp is a common place – about half of people with this condition have symptoms in this area. Hair loss from psoriasis is common due to the scalp trauma, this is mostly from making one pick or scratch scaly spots regularly. Hair loss does not appear to be common in mild to moderate or fleeting disease. It is also thought that relief of the psoriasis symptoms leads to regain of hair and psoriasis rarely causes permanent hair loss.

Hair loss in psoriasis is called psoriatic alopecia. Psoriatic hair loss can affect hair on the scalp as well as the entire body. However, it most often occurs in areas of the scalp where there are plaques. 

When shedding occurs from the scalp, it is usually caused by removing the silvery plaque covering the top layer of the plaque. You can damage this plaque, for example, by brushing your hair. When the damage to this area of ​​the skin heals, the hair usually grows back completely, and no scars form.

What deficiency causes hair loss?

Hair loss can also be attributed to the lack of certain nutrients in the body. The most common cause of hair loss, according to experts, is vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies. If the nutrients necessary for the health and growth of hair are not supplied to the body in the required amount, hair begins to fall out. 

First, they become dull, losing their healthy shine, then they become brittle, after which the process of loss begins. It is pretty difficult to deal with such a phenomenon on your own. Store-bought balms and masks, as a rule, are powerless in such situations.

What vitamins are needed for healthy hair?

• Vitamin A – for the strength of your hair
• Vitamin C- protects your hair against internal and external damage
• Vitamin E- monitors blood circulation of the skin, which is also vital for your hair.
• Vitamin B- improves oxygen flow and metabolism

To keep your hair strong, you will also need micronutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc, silicon, selenium, and iodine.

Does smoking cause hair loss?

Research on the effects of smoking on hair loss is limited. However, some studies have revealed some possible connections between the two. Here’s how smoking can trigger hair loss.

Smoking can damage DNA

Animal studies have shown that tobacco contains genotoxic compounds that can damage the DNA of the hair follicle. This can cause hair loss. However, most of these studies have not been corroborated with higher level research.

Smoking May Cause Heavy Metal Toxicity

moking can cause cadmium toxicity and interrupt the hair growth cycle. Cadmium can cause oxidative stress on hair and cause hair loss. It can also disrupt hair shaft formation and trigger the release of telogen.

Smoking, along with other major factors, can contribute to hair loss. They include:

• Psychological stress
• Hormonal imbalances (particularly thyroid problems)
• Nutrient Deficiency

If you smoke and experience hair loss, these factors can contribute too. You can quit smoking and try to improve your curl health.