There is an estimated 50 million men who suffer from hair loss. With most men the main culprit is genetics. Until recent years men who suffered with hair loss would just shave their head to hide their hair loss but with recent advances in hair restoration, men can now stop their hair loss and regrow it. Therapies include FDA approved solutions for hair loss such as minoxidil, Low Level Laser Therapy, and Propecia.

Although both men and women can suffer significant hair loss, over 50% of men will suffer with Male Pattern Baldness (MPB), also known as androgenetic alopecia, at some point in their lives. The reason behind hair loss is a genetically inherited sensitivity to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5-alpha-reductase. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone, a male hormone, to DHT, the substance identified as the end-cause for hair loss.

Facts About Men’s Hair Loss

• As many as 50% of all men will have some degree of male pattern baldness by age 50.
• The medical term for hair loss is alopecia, the most common being androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness.
• 95% of hair loss in men is genetically pre-determined.
• Medications may cause hair loss (such as some anticoagulants, anti-depressants, and chemotherapy).
• DHT, or Dihydrotestosterone, causes most hair loss. DHT is created naturally when the enzyme 5 alpha reductase combines with your testosterone.
• It’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day. Excessive hair washing, brushing or rubbing can add to this loss.
• Hair loss may at times signal an underlying medical problem, like diabetes, lupus, or even ringworm.
• Some medicines, such as minoxidil (Rogaine) has been shown to help male pattern baldness
• There are many causes of hair loss: genetic disposition, excess stress, hypothyroidism, lack of circulation of the scalp, hormone levels, harsh shampoos, and bad nutrition can all lead to hair loss

If male pattern hair loss becomes an issue for you, there are options. Talk to the highly trained and medical staff at Infinitee Trichology Hair Loss Control Clinic for treatment programs which will help stop your hair loss. You are not alone. Less than 10% of men will speak about their hair loss to their physician.

Top 5 causes of Male Hair Loss

1. Genetics – Hereditary hair loss (Androgenetic Alopecia) is the number one cause of male pattern baldness. As a man gets older his follicles on the scalp begin to miniaturize due to the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone). These follicles, found in the frontal hairline and extending into the top and crown of the head, become smaller and produce a hair that is progressively thinner and less pigmented called vellus hair.
2. Illness – When you are ill, your body taps reserves of stored nutrients and when these are depleted, your body takes these nutrients from wherever it can, therefore robbing other parts of your body of nutrients that they require. Remember, certain disease like diabetes, thyroid, gastro-intestinal, hepatitis, cardiovascular, and prostate problems can cause hair loss. Treatments that can lead to temporary hair loss also include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
3. Poor Diet – for a hair follicle to produce healthy hair it needs the proper amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrition. When your diet lacks certain nutrients such as zinc, B-vitamins, essential fatty acids, amino acids, and protein, your hair follicles are unable to function in optimal condition. When this occurs the connective tissue that surrounds the hair bulb gets weak and ultimately hair loss occurs. Poor diet can also lead to excess shedding, hair strand breakage and weak connection of the hair strand at the root.
4. Stress – Environmental and emotional stress can lead to a sudden onset of hair thinning or patchy hair loss that does not correspond to the typical pattern of male pattern hair loss. This can be because of some medical condition which has not yet been identified and treated, or stress. Reduce stress if you can and if the loss persists, seek medical attention.
5. Medications – Drugs may affect hair follicles in the anagen phase (the growth phase) and the telogen phase (resting phase). In Anagen Effluvium hair loss usually occurs within days to weeks of drug administration, whereas in Telogen Effluvium, hair loss becomes evident 2 to 4 months after starting treatment.