1. Androgenetic Alopecia or Male Pattern Baldness:
Male Pattern Hair Loss is the most common cause of hairloss in men. It is genetic and typically hereditary i.e. if either of your parents or grandparents have hair loss, there is a chance that you might have inherited that too. It's a progressive condition and might worsen with time if left untreated.
DHT(dihydrotestosterone):
Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is the primary hormone behind the miniaturization of hair follicles. Hair follicles shrink over time producing weaker, finer hair and eventually stop producing hair altogether.
Age Factor :
Hair loss for men starts in the late 20s but becomes more significant in the 30s and 40s. By the 50s, 50% men experience significant hair loss
2. Telogen Effluvium:
This is a stress induced hair loss which usually occurs when the body is subjected to some kind of stressful situation or shock. For example:
- Going through a divorce
- Work pressure
- Weight loss
- Surgery complications
- Crash diets
It occurs when an excessive number of hair go into the resting phase. In a healthy scalp, about 5-10% of hair are in the telogen phase. In telogen effluvium, upto 30% of hair prematurely enter the resting phase.
The pattern of hair loss shows diffuse thinning all over the scalp instead of patches. Hair significantly appears thinner but there is no baldness. Shedding usually occurs within 2-3 months of the traumatic event.
3. Alopecia Areata:
This is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own hair follicles. This can happen due to stress or because of medical conditions such as Thyroid, Vitiligo and Lupus.
Its symptoms include:
- It appears as smooth, patchy bald spots
- Can show signs of inflammation such as tingling and itching
- Small dents, ridges or white spots can appear on the finger or toe nails.
- There might be a constant loop of hair regrowing and falling out again.
There are 4 types of alopecia areata:
1. Alopecia Areata ( patchy): These are smooth, patchy bald spots on the scalp.
2. Alopecia Totalis: Loss of all hair from the scalp
3. Alopecia Universalis: Loss of all hair from the body
4. Alopecia Ophiasis: Appears like a wave like pattern around the sides & lower back of scalp
4. Poor diet and nutritional deficiencies:
- Iron deficiency- Iron is essential for haemoglobin production . In men, iron deficiency can result in pale skin & brittle nails.
- Protein deficiency- Keratin is a structural protein, which makes up most of the hair fibre. A lack of this nutrient can result in slow production of keratin.
- Zinc deficiency- Zinc is essential for hair follicle repair/growth. Men who consume excessive alcohol, processed foods and restrictive diets are more likely to have zinc deficiency.
- Biotin- Biotin is one of the most essential nutrients for hair health. It helps with keratin production which gives hair strength and resilience. A deficiency in the nutrient can result in shedding & scalp irritation
- Vitamin D - People who get a low sun exposure are more likely to have a deficiency in vitamin D. It is essential for the growth of new hair follicles.
- Omegas- Omegas strengthen the hair and give it a healthy shine.
You must consume a balanced diet which contains adequate amounts of fruit, vegetables, carbs and of course protein. Indulging in rapid weight loss or severe calorie restriction can make the body prioritize vital organs over hair. This can lead to hair loss conditions such as telogen effluvium.
5. Hormonal imbalance:
- Low testosterone- Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, depression, thyroid , obesity, aging or even testicular injury could lead to low testosterone levels.
- High estrogen- Excessive consumption of alcohol could lead to liver dysfunction, causing an increase in estrogen levels.
- Cortisol imbalance: Cortisol is the stress hormone which disrupts the whole body function and shows its side effect on skin, energy levels and most definitely, hair! Cortisol is one of the biggest killers of hair as it directly attacks the hair follicles and pushes hair to fall out.
- Thyroid- This can usually occur because of iodine deficiency or autoimmune conditions. Hypothyroidism or a low thyroid function can result in fatigue, weight gain and hair thinning.
- DHT imbalance- This is caused by overactivity of the 5 alpha reductase enzyme which leads to a high DHT level. A high level of DHT in the body can result in a receding hairline, hair thinning and ultimately male pattern baldness.
6. Scalp Infections:
- Ringworm (tinea capitis) - It can lead to breakage, spots and scarring alopecia. In case of scarring alopecia, follicles become tender, inflamed and there is no chance for regrowth.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis-This is because of fungal overgrowth/ malassezia which appears as whitish yellow scaly skin on the scalp.
- Psoriasis- Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune, non contagious skin condition that causes inflamed raised & discoloured patches on the scalp.
7. Side effects of medication:
- Certain medications such as that for blood pressure can thin the blood and cause restriction of blood flow on the scalp.
- Chemotherapy is a preventative treatment that is used to kill cancer cells through radiation. As a side effect, the radiation also affects the hair follicles and causes baldness.
- Certain medications for depression & anxiety also affect hair follicles. Depression in itself releases an excess of cortisol which affects hair follicles.
- Steroids are a drug which several men use as a catalyst to build muscle growth. Many bodybuilders look jacked within a short amount of time using this drug. However, it enters the bloodstream and increases DHT levels while thinning the blood and creating a risk for heart and respiratory problems.
Also, stopping any medication abruptly can lead to fall out if the body gets used to it.
8. Tight hairstyles and chemical treatments :
- Hairstyles such as man buns and braids which men with longer hair tend to make can tug and pull onto the hair roots. This can cause traction alopecia where hair is lost from temples and sides and in many cases can lead to a receding hairline.
- Also indulging in excessive hair styling methods like bleaching, perming and heat styling can damage the hair shaft and cause severe hair fall.
9. Bad lifestyle habits:
- Smoking contaminates the bloodstream and restricts blood supply to all vital organs of the body including the hair and scalp. Too much can lead to several deficiencies in the body, which can cause hair fall. It increases oxidative stress which increases the level of DHT in the body and disturbs sleeps
- Alcohol dehydrates the body, damages liver health and depletes essential nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B and iron. The liver is a very integral part of gut health and a weak liver can eventually lead to the production of finer, thinner hair.
10. Age:
Most men experience significant thinning and baldness once they cross the age of 50. The body naturally loses collagen as we age, shrinking the hair follicles over time and reduces the ability of the body to create more hair from within.