Does Hair Loss Affect Men Only?

Introduction

Hair loss is a problem that a lot of men face in their lifetime, but what causes it? Here, you will learn the causes of hair loss, the myths related to it, as well as some measures of prevention to make sure that hair loss doesn’t get the best of you.

Does It Only Happen to Men?

First things first, hair loss is not exclusive to men. Women experience hair loss as well, but not as commonly as men. As far as statistics go, 70% of men experience hair loss, while only 40% of women do.

A likely cause for this false belief is because men and women experience hair loss differently and it’s often more noticeable on men. This is because men usually lose hair in patches, while women lose hair all over, which makes bald spots more visible on men.

Genetically speaking, men are more likely to inherit a condition called androgenic alopecia, where the androgen receptors on a person’s hair follicles become more active. DHT, a testosterone by-product, is an example of such androgens. Because of the constant DHT production in men, those who have androgenic alopecia experience hair loss as the hair follicles have difficulty thriving.

Because testosterone has high production during puberty, hair loss is common in young men in their teens to their early twenties. Meanwhile, menopause is when other hormone levels drop in women, which triggers most of the women’s hair loss.

Causes

Genetics

As mentioned above, if you’re experiencing some hair loss, it’s most likely because it runs in your family. If your grandfather and father have bald spots, then it’s very likely that you will shed some hair of your own at some point. Chances are, you’re going to have a similar balding pattern, as well.

Age

Puberty is a time when hormones are at an all-time high, so that’s one period when hair loss is going to be likely. However, your crowning glory will probably be at its peak from your 20s to 30s.

Diet

There’s a reason why nutritionists advocate for a balanced diet, and it’s not just for your overall health. Your hair needs nutrients, too and a lack of the necessary ones can contribute to poor hair growth as well as shedding.

Stress

It’s a common misconception that stress causes hair loss. While it certainly could be a cause, it’s a rare one. There’s a specific kind of hair loss associated with stress called telogen effluvium, which is characterized by a sudden and widespread thinning of hair as compared to the balding genetic.

Damaged Roots

If you’re a fan of tight hairstyles like man buns, cornrows, tight braids and so on, they can significantly damage your roots. Damaged roots often lead to hair loss because the hair can’t grow healthily.

Myths

The Gene Comes From Your Mother’s Side

Hereditary hair loss can come from either side of the family, though it’s true that the genes from your mother’s side have a stronger influence on hair loss.

Too Much Washing Causes Hair Loss

Don’t stop washing your hair too often just because you heard that it could cause hair loss. There’s no such thing as damage from frequent washing and shampooing.

Hair Coloring Causes Hair Loss

Hair coloring and other treatments often make use of chemicals that can make your hair brittle. It’s the damage to your hair follicles that causes it to break off near the scalp, but that’s not the same thing as hereditary hair loss.

Heat Causes Hair Loss

As with hair treatments, the heat from blow drying can cause damage to hair, which can then fall off, but it’s not equivalent to hair loss that comes from genetic factors. The same applies to sun damage – it can make hair brittle and fall off, but not to the same degree as genetic causes.

Drugs Can Help Increase Hair Follicles

The number of hair follicles that grow on your head is hereditary, and so far, there isn’t any drug that can alter that amount.

Thicker Hair after Cutting or Shaving

After having your hair cut or shaved, it will look thicker, but you’ll notice that it lasts for only a week after the cut. That’s because hair is naturally thicker at the base, so when your hair is shorter, you can see the thicker part of your hair follicles. Other than that, shaving and cutting have not been proven to make hair thicker.

Baldness = Virility

This is just a product of compensation, but it has absolutely no scientific basis at all. It’s not a matter of having more testosterone than others; it’s just a matter of more active testosterone reactions. The testosterone levels are the same in bald people and those who have more hair.

The Gene Comes From Your Mother’s Side

Hereditary hair loss can come from either side of the family, though it’s true that the genes from your mother’s side have a stronger influence on hair loss.

Prevention

Seek Professional Help

There are specialists trained in diagnosing hair loss and baldness, and they are also equipped to recommend possible treatments for you. If you’re starting to show obvious signs of hair loss, it might be time to seek some professional help before trying to self-medicate.

Improve Diet

Get your hair the nutrition it needs – healthier hair means better growth, so the signs of hair loss might not be too obvious if you take good care of your hair. Fruits and vegetables contribute the most, but a balanced diet means having everything in the proper amount. Reduce sweet, processed, or fried foods as they can increase plaque build-up at your hair follicles.

Supplements can also be helpful, but don’t take one unless recommended by a specialist. Common supplements that can help with hair loss are those with amino acids, fatty acids, or Gingko Biloba.

Home Remedies

There are several home remedies that you can use to prevent hair loss and improve hair growth, such as Aloe Vera, castor oil, egg whites, some Chinese herbs, horsetail and green tea.

Care for Your Hair

Avoid getting hair treatments or subjecting your hair to harsh chemicals and extreme heat. As said above, these can cause brittleness and hair damage. As long as you keep your hair healthy, then you can mitigate the effects of hair loss.

Conclusion

Hair loss is a problem that both men and women face, but it’s not totally a hopeless case once your hair begins to fall out. There are several ways that you can prevent its effects, even when the cause is genetics. Take good care of your hair and your health, that way hair loss can be reduced.