Receding hairline, bald spots on the head and baldness at the end – more than half of the men in Central Europe are affected by some form of hair loss. Although hair loss usually does not have any negative consequences for health, it often has an impact on the psyche. Hair loss damages male self-confidence and, in the worst case, can even lead to depression. In this article you will read more about the different types of hair loss in men and the options for treatment.
Am I affected by hair loss?
People lose up to 100 hairs every day. And that is completely normal. However, if this number is significantly exceeded over a long period of time, then it is referred to as pathological hair loss (alopecia). But how do you recognize hair loss? Here are the most common symptoms and signs that indicate it:
- An M-shape can be seen at the hairline, the hairline recedes and a receding hairline forms
- Hair growth slows down and the hair becomes thinner, especially along the middle part, temples and forehead
- The hair comes off the head in whole clumps
- When you get up you find a lot of hair on the pillow
- Bald spots form on the back of the head
- A “tonsure” is created on the upper back of the head
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, then you are most likely suffering from hair loss.
Types of hair loss in men: causes and treatment
In order to find the right treatment for hair loss, you must first determine what type of hair loss you are dealing with. Below we have summarized the most common types and possible treatment methods.
Hereditary hair loss in men
Hereditary or genetically determined hair loss is probably the most common cause of hair loss in men. This condition is medically called androgenetic alopecia and can even occur at an early age of 20-25. The male hormone testosterone shortens the growth phase of the hair until the follicles finally die.
The risk of this form of hair loss roughly corresponds to age - around 30 percent of thirty-year-old men and 50 percent of fifty-year-old men are affected. As a rule, complete baldness does not develop, but a fringe of hair remains on the back of the head.
What helps?
From a health perspective, genetic hair loss does not require any treatment. Since hair loss often has a negative impact on men's self-confidence, there are some methods that can stop or prevent this type of hair loss.
The best-known remedies for treating hereditary hair loss in men include:Medications with active ingredients such as finasterideand minoxidil. These are offered either as tablets or as a topical solution and should start showing results after a few months. However, the risk of various side effects from such medications against hair loss should not be underestimated.
Other treatment methods include mesotherapy and diode laser therapy. These methods should not only...Stop hair loss, but also stimulate new hair growth. A significantly more expensive but also very effective option is your own hair transplant, in which hair follicles are transplanted from the back of the head to the front.
Circular hair loss
Alopecia Areata is a condition that occurs very quickly and usually causes circular bald patches in the hair. Therefore it is still known as circular hair loss. The exact causes are unknown, but experts believe that an immune system disorder is to blame. Circular hair loss affects not only men, but also women and even children. In contrast to genetic hair loss, in this case the hair follicles do not die. Their growth is only paused and in some cases the hair can grow back again without treatment.
What helps?
The treatment of alopecia areata primarily involves symptom therapies that stimulate new growth, but cannot cure the disease. There is therefore no guarantee that the hair will not fall out again at a later date.
The best-known methods for treating circular hair loss include therapies in which the immune system is weakened (e.g. with cortisone) or distracted (through topical immunotherapy). In both cases, the hair roots regenerate and the “resting phase” ends. The effectiveness of these therapies is 70-75 percent, with the spontaneous healing rate being around 75-80 percent. Therefore, the need for treatment remains controversial.
Diffuse hair loss also affects men
Diffuse hair loss affects more women than men, but is still one of the common reasons for hair loss. In particular, unfavorable ones lead to thisfactors such as stress, lack of sleep, smoking and an unbalanced diet that causes hair thinning.
What helps?
Mesotherapy, in which highly effective growth factors are injected into the scalp, can stimulate new hair growth in cases of diffuse hair loss. Another option is the diode laser, which stimulates blood circulation in the hair root and supplies it with nutrients.
Conclusion
TheHair loss in menis a common condition that affects more than half of men. Depending onwhat causes hair loss, hair loss can be treated with various medications and therapies. As a result, you can expect hair regrowth in bald areas and new growth in thin hair, although hair loss often occurs again after the therapy has ended.
