Hair loss is never something to look forward to and can significantly change your appearance. Whether you’re noticing your hairline is receding or there’s excess hair loss in the shower, it can be difficult to see your hair shed. Although hair loss is extremely common in men, there are a few contributing factors that determine if you’re prone to balding.
Hormonal Changes
Temporary or permanent hair loss is often attributed to hormonal changes that occur at any stage in life. Male pattern baldness is prone to developing as hormonal changes occur throughout a man’s life. The hair starts to get finer and shorter until there’s no longer any regrowth.
Studies show most white men experience some type of hair loss during adulthood. Half of all white men suffer from hair loss before the age of 50, and 80 percent of all men experience hair loss before the age of 70. Japanese and Chinese groups are not as affected by hair loss.
Genetics
Genetics is one of the main factors that play a part in hair loss. Males with first and second-degree relatives who have experienced hair loss are at a higher risk of also losing their hair. The androgen receptor (AR) gene is one of the main genetic changes linked to male pattern baldness.
Iron Deficiency
Low iron levels can also contribute to hair loss because the body cannot produce hemoglobin in the blood. The hair follicles rely on oxygen to grow and repair cells, specifically those that promote hair to regrow. Increasing iron levels until they’re stabilized through supplements or diet changes can make the hair grow back thicker and longer within a few weeks.
Too much vitamin A in the body also affects hair growth. Men can start to lose more hair than normal and even notice their eyebrows start to become thinner. Vitamin A toxicity can even cause alopecia in some individuals. In excessive doses, it starts to act as a toxin. Ironically, many hair loss products contain vitamin A because it’s needed to grow healthy hair by keeping the scalp moist and repairing damaged hair follicles. Medical professionals recommend getting a daily amount of 900 mcg for men.
Age
Most men will notice their hair growth begins to slow down as they age. The hair on the scalp becomes thinner as the hair follicles fail to grow new hair. The hair can even start to lose some of its color at this time. The hair strands become a lot smaller as there’s less pigment present.
Most men will experience some type of hair loss by age 30. It commonly occurs on the top of the head or near the temples. This is due to fluctuations in testosterone levels as the male gets older. However, men can start to develop thicker, coarser hair on different parts of their body even as they begin to bald. Hair can grow longer and thicker on the ears, nose, and eyebrows.
Stress
Stress and anxiety are known to push hair follicles into a resting phase when they’re generally in the growth phase, which prevents new hair strands from being produced. This causes the hair to shed easily when brushing or washing it. Fortunately, stress is treatable, and the hair loss is only temporary until the anxiety levels stabilize.
Typically, only extreme stress triggers long-term hair loss, which includes traumatic events like the death of a loved one. Severe illness, becoming a parent, and medications can also trigger hair loss. Some people who have persistent stress on a daily basis due to job loss or the COVID-19 pandemic can begin to experience the same type of hair loss. Extreme weight loss and high fevers are also linked to growing less hair. Studies show the hair loss typically starts to occur three months after the trauma begins.
Medications and Health Conditions
There’s a long list of medications that can trigger hair loss in men, which include drugs that suppress the immune system, anti-clotting drugs, antidepressants, acne medications containing vitamin A, mood stabilizers, steroids, weight loss drugs, and Parkinson’s disease drugs.
Chemotherapy drugs are commonly known to trigger hair loss because they damage the healthy cells in the body when they start to kill the cancer cells. Hair loss can start as early as two weeks after the chemotherapy treatment begins. Significant hair loss typically begins one to two weeks after starting the treatment. Taking more than one chemotherapy drug at the same time can make the hair loss more severe.
Men who suffer from lupus or diabetes are at a higher risk of developing hair loss than men who are in good health and don’t have any chronic health conditions. In most cases, the hair grows back once the patient stops taking the medication.
High blood pressure is one of the most common conditions that cause hair loss. Depression, heart problems, and arthritis can also attack the hair follicles or cause scarring.
Understanding the risks and causes of hair loss can make it easier to control certain factors. Working with your doctor can also make it easier to discover the root cause of the hair loss and what treatment options are available.