Have you noticed your hair starting to get thinner? If so, you’re not alone. The number of men experiencing thinning hair has been increasing consistently in the past few decades. In fact, it is all too common in men.
Hair thinning can affect men of all ages, but the most commonly reported age of onset is between 40 and 50. This isn’t surprising as this is a time in many men’s lives when they experience hormonal changes due to ageing or stress. But there are some reasons why you might be experiencing thinning hair that are not necessarily related to age or stress levels.
While thinning hair in men is common, many still feel embarrassed and ashamed when they begin losing their mane. This is understandable as a full head of hair is associated with attractiveness.
If your hair isn’t as thick as it used to be, it would serve you well to know pertinent information about hair thinning in men. So, read on to learn its causes, treatment, and prevention.
What Causes Thinning Hair in Men?
Male Pattern Baldness
This is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Male pattern baldness is a condition that causes hair follicles to shrink gradually, resulting in thinner and finer hair that eventually leads to baldness.
Male pattern baldness can be caused by several factors, including genetics and age. It’s also linked with certain diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Stress
Everyone experiences stress, but men who have thinning hair may find that it causes their hair to fall out more quickly. This is because stress hormones can affect the body’s ability to produce healthy hair follicles. A decrease in blood flow also reduces oxygen levels around the scalp and inhibits cell repair, leading to a weakened immune system and baldness.
Hormonal Imbalances
Thyroid disease, diabetes, and other conditions that cause low testosterone levels can cause hormonal imbalances that result in thinning hair in men. These hormones control the body’s ability to produce healthy hair follicles and prevent damage from environmental factors like stress.
In particular, testosterone is responsible for producing new hair follicles and helps maintain existing ones. When there isn’t enough testosterone available, hair growth slows down and eventually stops. This is why many men see a receding hairline or thinning crown before they go completely bald.
Nutritional and Vitamin Deficiency
Lack of nutrients in the diet and vitamin deficiencies (B12, folic acid) can also cause hair loss in men. This is because the body needs certain nutrients to produce new hair. If you are not getting enough of these nutrients and vitamins, you will likely experience hair thinning which can become severe if the deficiency is not corrected.
How is Thinning Hair in Men Diagnosed?
Your hair and scalp specialist will conduct a physical examination of the scalp and determine the pattern and severity of the thinning. At the Universal Hair Clinic, we use Trichoscan- a computer program that helps us digitally measure hair loss.
If there are no obvious causes for hair loss, they may order tests like ferritin level test and thyroid function test to rule out other conditions that could be causing the thinning, such as iron deficiency, thyroid disease, nutritional deficiency, or chronic illnesses like diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes).
Can Men Regrow Thinning Hair?
Yes, men can regrow their hair. But regrowth is not guaranteed and may take months to years. In some cases, men will need to use medication or undergo surgery to stimulate the dormant follicles before they start losing their hair.
If you’re interested in regrowing your hair, discuss with a specialist whether this is possible for your case.
What Treatments Are Available in Ireland for Men With Hair Thinning?
Your treatment options may include medication, laser therapy, and hair transplant surgery.
Medication and Supplements
There are a variety of hair loss medicines that may be prescribed to treat your thinning mane, including clinically-proven medications.
One of these medications is a type 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, which means that it blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. It was originally developed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland in men. Studies have shown that this medication can increase the number of hairs in people with thinning hair. It’s available as a pill and cream, but the pill form is more widely used.
Aside from hair growth medications, your hair and scalp specialist may prescribe supplements if the thinning is due to nutritional or vitamin deficiency.
If you decide to try the medications, your hair and scalp specialist will monitor the results and adjust the dosage accordingly.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is another option for individuals experiencing hair thinning. The treatment is often used in dermatology to treat acne and other skin conditions, but it also shows promise for treating male pattern baldness.
Also called laser hair growth therapy, this treatment involves passing a laser through the scalp at low levels of heat to stimulate new hair growth.
Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant surgery is often considered a last resort for men who have experienced significant hair thinning on their heads, as it can be very expensive and requires multiple procedures over time. It is also invasive as the surgeon will remove hair follicles from areas of your scalp where there is still plenty of hair and transplant them into areas where you are losing hair.
However, this may be an appealing option if you’re looking for an immediate solution or want more control over how much coverage your new hair provides.
How Can Men Prevent Their Hair From Thinning?
Here are some of the things you can do to prevent further thinning:
Eat a Healthy Diet
You can maintain optimal health by eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet should include lots of different fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (like fish), nuts and seeds. Also, consider taking a vitamin supplement if necessary to ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy during this process.
Drink More Water
Drinking plenty of water helps keep your hair healthy by preventing dehydration which causes dryness that may lead to breakage. It also helps flush out toxins from your system, which might otherwise build up and cause damage over time.
See a Hair Specialist Right Away
If you notice signs of hair thinning, schedule a consultation with a trichologist or dermatologist immediately. While male pattern baldness has no cure, you can prevent it from progressing rapidly with early intervention.
Where to Get Hair Thinning Treatment in Ireland?
There are several clinics in Ireland that can help you address your thinning hair. However, if you want results, make sure that you pick a trusted clinic like the Universal Hair and Scalp Clinic.
The Universal Hair and Scalp Clinic are the longest-running hair loss clinic in Ireland. They have a proven track record of successfully treating hair loss problems in men and women – young and old.
They specialise in helping people with hair loss regain confidence and look great. Moreover, they provide comprehensive diagnostics and personalised treatments that are both effective and affordable.
You can count on their trained and qualified staff to take the time to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and recommend the best course of action for your specific situation.
In conclusion, thinning hair is usually not something to worry about. However, it can be a frustrating condition to deal with. Fortunately, there are many options available that can help improve your hair quality. It starts with seeing a qualified hair and scalp specialist so that a diagnosis can be made and the right treatment plan can be prepared.
Is your hair thinner? Or is your hairline receding? Talk to our sought-after trichologist to know what’s causing your thinning hair and get the best advice on how to combat it. Call us today on +353 (0)1 679 3618 or click here to schedule an appointment.
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