In today's world of oversharing, few subjects remain taboo, but balding is still one of them. Despite the fact that hair loss affects most men at some point in their lives, us blokes would prefer to talk about anything but the strands departing our heads.
If you're worried you could lose your hair, let us talk you through the early signs of balding, why it happens, and how you can stop hair loss in its tracks.
For some men, balding can start as early as their late teens. At such a young age, this can be a particularly bitter pill to swallow. But no matter what age your receding hairline begins, losing your hair is distressing for most blokes.
The good news is, that in most cases, it's not a fait accompli. Like most medical things that scare the bejesus out of you, educating yourself about the problem, getting an accurate diagnosis, and knowing your treatment options can help you take back control of the situation. And hair loss is no different.
The most common cause of balding
Hair loss can happen for many different reasons, but in 95% of cases, it's a result of male pattern baldness — also known as androgenic alopecia [1].
The word 'genetic' forms part of the name because that's exactly what causes it: your genes.
The genes you inherit from both your parents (not just those from your mother's side) largely determine whether or not you'll go bald [2].
And it's not just one gene that causes it, it's the expression of many different genes, which makes male pattern baldness a complex genetic condition [2].
The role of DHT
Men whose fate it is to lose their hair inherit hair follicles with a genetic sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (otherwise known as DHT). DHT is derived from testosterone, and both hormones are known as androgens.
Androgens give you your manly features during puberty, such as a deep voice, increased body and facial hair, muscle mass, and the growth of your penis and testicles.
But on the flip side, they're also probably the reason you've noticed hair loss. It's a bit of a double-edged sword situation.
So, how does DHT actually cause your hair to fall out?
High levels of androgens, including DHT, can shrink your hair follicles as well as shorten the hair growth cycle. This causes your hair to grow out looking thinner and more brittle — a process known as miniaturisation [3].
It also causes your hair to fall out faster and new hairs to grow more slowly.
Research shows that men need both high levels of androgens as well as an increased genetic sensitivity of the hair follicles to DHT, to cause baldness [4].
If you've been unlucky enough to win that genetic lottery, you might think it's out of your control to change, but that's where you're wrong.
Thankfully, hair loss as a result of male pattern baldness doesn't happen overnight. It usually progresses gradually over many years, which means there's time to start effective hair loss treatments that could stop further hair loss, and even reverse hair fall entirely.
Start your consult with a Pilot practitioner to find the effective hair loss treatment for you.
Other reasons for hair loss
Aside from male pattern baldness, there are a myriad of other reasons you could be noticing excessive or sudden hair loss.
If you identify with any of these, it's best to seek medical advice from your doctor for a proper diagnosis, before discussing hair loss treatment.
Stress
Periods of chronic or traumatic stress such as the death of a loved one or a period of severe illness can cause general hair thinning. This type of hair loss is known as telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss.
It's usually noticeable within a few months of the stressful event, but once the stress subsides, your hair will most likely grow back.
Thyroid conditions
If you have hair loss that appears to have no underlying cause, it could be the result of a thyroid issue. Your doctor can easily check your thyroid levels with a blood test.
Certain clinical medications
Drugs for some common health conditions such as high cholesterol, acne and high blood pressure can come with side effects that include hair loss [5].
Although rare, if it does happen, the hair loss is usually reversed once you stop taking the medication. But remember, never stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor first.
Nutritional deficiencies
In the developed world, nutritional deficiencies are rare, but if anything you should pay attention to protein, iron and zinc [6]. Too little of any of these nutrients can contribute to hair loss.
Autoimmune conditions
Alopecia areata is a rare autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out in patches [7]. It can also affect your eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair.
Tinea capitis
This a highly contagious fungal infection, also known as ringworm of the scalp [8]. It can cause small localised scaly spots on the scalp that can result in permanent hair loss.
It's most common in school-aged children, but can also affect adults. Thankfully, it can be treated with antifungal medication from your doctor.
What are the early signs of balding?
Just like weight gain, hair loss can slowly creep up on you.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, hair thinning usually only becomes noticeable after losing 50% or more of your scalp hair [9]. That might seem like an alarming stat, but don't freak out just yet.
True to its name, male pattern hair loss follows a particular pattern, so there are some changes you can look out for early on. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat. Here's what to keep an eye out for.
A receding hairline
Hair recession usually begins around the temples and causes an M-shaped hairline to form.
Thinning at the crown (top) of your head
As the M-shaped hairline of a widow's peak starts to deepen, hair loss at the crown of the head can begin, leading to a bald spot.
Thinning hair all over (diffuse thinning)
While it's most common for thinning hair to start at the crown of the head, it can also be more diffuse (spread around the entire scalp).
It's taking longer for your hair to grow and the regrowth is fine and wispy
Due to hair follicle miniaturisation - a hallmark of male pattern baldness - hairs become progressively shorter and wispier and eventually stop growing altogether.
Maturing hairline
A maturing hairline doesn't necessarily mean you're destined to lose your hair. In fact, men with a full head of hair well into midlife can have a mature hairline.
It's when the mature hairline begins to recede beyond 1 inch above your last forehead wrinkle that it could be time to pay closer attention.
How early can you start balding?
For men with a strong genetic predisposition to balding, the process can begin as early as the teen years, just after puberty.
According to the stats, about 16% of boys aged 15-17 have male pattern baldness, and about 25% of men who experience balding begin the process before they reach the age of 21 [10].
Losing your hair at such a young age can really knock your confidence. But thanks to modern medicine, it's a treatable condition.
Start your online consult with a Pilot practitioner for a comprehensive online consultation and to discuss affordable and effective hair loss treatment options.
At what age do most guys start losing hair?
Male pattern baldness most commonly begins when a guy is in his 30s or 40s, and the prevalence increases with age [10].
Statistically, balding affects about 1 in 5 Aussie men in their 20s, about 1 in 3 in their 30s and nearly half of men in their 40s [11]. By the age of 70, it can affect as many as 80% of men [12].
Being Caucasian also increases your chances of hair loss. It's much less common in other population groups, such as Asian men.
What not to look for
If you think you're balding, any hairs found in your brush, in the shower or on your pillow can be anxiety-producing. But before you jump to any conclusions, let's look at what's normal and what's not when it comes to hair loss.
It's perfectly normal to lose some hair every day. In fact, normal hair loss sees people lose on average 50-100 hairs per day, without even noticing [13].
It's called shedding and it's a natural part of the hair growth cycle. If your daily hair loss amount is fairly consistent and you're not noticing any significant changes to the thickness of your hair, you most likely have normal hair shedding.
The only causes for concern are:
- You start noticing clumps of hair falling out or sudden hair loss. This could be a sign of a medical condition that needs to be addressed.
- You notice the hair on your scalp is gradually thinning. The best way to determine this is to take photos of the front, top and sides of your hair several months apart and compare them. Just be sure to take photos under the same lighting conditions.
How to stop balding
If you've decided that a shiny dome isn't really your look, there are a number of proven oral and topical medical treatments that can stop (and in some cases reverse) balding.
Hair loss treatments
Pilot's hair loss treatments have been developed with Australian hair loss experts to effectively target hair loss. To find out more, get connected with a Pilot practitioner online and have a consultation. It's super easy and discreet.
The most important thing is to act fast. If male pattern hair loss is at play, the quicker you begin treatment, the more hair you can save.
Topical treatments
Topical solutions can help you hold onto your locks too. They work by increasing blood flow to your hair follicles and encouraging the growth phase of your hair.
Hair loss shampoos can also be effective for laying the groundwork for healthier hair follicles.
Hair transplant
Got more significant hair loss? You might want to consider a hair transplant. This surgical procedure involves taking areas of the scalp that have active hairs (usually from the back and sides of the head) and grafting these pieces of skin onto bald or thinning areas of the scalp.
It's not a treatment for the faint-hearted — and it'll put a big dent in your wallet — but if it's successful, the results can be very pleasing.
The downside: results are not guaranteed and there are warnings about risks and complications such as permanent scarring and infection, as well as the general considerations that come with surgery.
If you decide to go down this path, be sure to do your research and find a qualified surgeon who is experienced in carrying out this type of surgery.
If hair loss has you concerned, take comfort in knowing there's a solution out there. Pilot's hair loss treatments are safe and effective and have helped thousands of Aussie men find new confidence. Start your online consult today.
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