Hair Fall has become a kind of its own epidemic post the pandemic, which has been affecting men and women both. This dynamic era of technology and evolution has brought about its own set of stressors which can unfortunately act upon the hair. So come let’s do a deep dive into how much hair fall is normal for men and when can be there a risk for possible hair loss:
1. Signs of hairfall in men & how much is normal:
Shedding hair is a natural part of the hair growth cycle which consist of 3 phases:
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Anagen: This is the growth phase of the hair, when the hair follicle produces new hair shafts.
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Catagen: This is the transition phase of the hair follicle where miniaturization occurs.
- Telogen: This is the resting phase of the hair where the hair remains attached to the follicle but doesn’t grow.
2. What is normal hair loss?
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Daily shedding rate: losing 50-100 hair strands a day is a normal part of shedding. Old, weaker hair sheds to make room for stronger, more robust new hair growth.
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Seasonal shedding: It's a common phenomena to notice an increase in shedding during specific seasons. For example, some might notice more shedding during winters while some might notice it during summers.
- Hair in shower drain / hairbrush: It's absolutely normal to find a few hair strands in your shower drain and hairbrush.
3. What is Excessive hair fall?
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Thinning hair: The thickness and individual density of hair strands reduce, making hair lack in volume & look fine.
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Receding hairline: The hairline crawls behind or makes an m shaped patch which is typically a sign of male pattern baldness.
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Visible scalp: Scalp skin becomes much more visible beneath the thinning hair.
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Hair clumps: Losing hair in clumps on your pillow, shower drain, hairbrush or even while running your fingers through your hair.
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Patchy hair loss: Bald spots or patches can be a sign of autoimmune hair loss or alopecia areata.
Slow regrowth: Hair doesn’t easily grow back in areas of thinning and baldness.
4. Factors that cause hair fall in men:
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Genetic factors: Male pattern baldness is the most common reason for hair loss in men. It is hereditary and happens because of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that is responsible for shrinking & gradually the death of a hair follicle.
- Hormonal imbalance: There can be medical conditions such as thyroid which can as a consequence, lead to excessive shedding of the hair.
- Fluctuations in testosterone levels can also lead to hormonal imbalance, which again can directly affect hair follicles.
- Age: Men naturally tend to lose hair with age. As we age, our body naturally stops producing collagen and that is one major reason for age related hair loss.
- Stress: Stress releases a hormone called cortisol which is the biggest killer of not only your hair follicles but your general body function. A lack of sleep catalyses cortisol disrupting your hormonal balance.
- Bad lifestyle choices: Smoking restricts blood circulation within the body, restricting the delivery of nutrients to your scalp. Alcohol dehydrates the body and contaminates the bloodstream. This can cause the hair to fall out.
- Diet & nutritional deficiencies: A diet without adequate protein is a sure shot way of calling for a hair scare! Hair is primarily made up of keratin which is a form of protein and a deficiency of this could lead to severe hair loss.
- You must ensure that your daily diet is rich in iron, vitamin d3, zinc, biotin & healthy fats. These nutrients are key to creating a good internal environment for healthy hair growth.
- Excessive use of heat tools & products: Use of hair styling tools such as curlers, blow dryers, straighteners, etc. can damage the hair shaft.
- Using too many haircare products such as gels, waxes and creams can give you a sleek look but can create build up on the scalp and hair, cause clogging of follicles and create fungal overgrowth.
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Side effect of medication: Certain medical drugs such as for hypertension, depression and chemotherapy can indirectly affect the hair follicles and cause hair fall.
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Frequent wearing of headgears: Wearing headgears like caps, helmets, or hats can create friction with the hair causing cuticle damage & hair fall. They can cause build up of sweat, grease and clogging of follicles.
- Poor scalp hygiene: Washing hair too much with shampoos which contain harsh ingredients such as sulfates and parabens can strip off the scalp & hair off its natural oils, weakening it in the long run.
- Not washing it enough can collect excessive build up, sebum and fungal overgrowth. Also, the natural oils in the scalp can contain DHT, so washing it frequently can do hair fall control.
5. How to prevent hair loss in men?
1. Control DHT levels:
This is the key for male hair fall control. DHT is the culprit of hair follicle miniaturization in men , here are some ways to prevent it:
- Use a shampoo which contains DHT blocking ingredients such as Amla, rosemary, green tea, etc.
- Block DHT from within by consuming natural DHT blockers such as pumpkin seeds, saw palmetto, spearmint tea, haldi milk, amla candy, etc.
2. Fixing nutritional deficiencies:
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Consume protein rich foods such as eggs, chicken, fish, lentils to boost keratin production in hair.
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Foods rich in iron and zinc including spinach, nuts and mushrooms can purify the bloodstream & strengthen the hair.
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Foods rich in biotin including eggs, bananas, nuts, sweet potatoes, avocados promote healthy hair growth.
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Foods rich in omegas including walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds improve shine and strength.
- Avoiding sugary processed foods such as candies, chocolates, chips, etc can cut down inflammation within the body.
3. Stress Reduction:
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Stress induced hair loss is known as telogen effluvium.
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Yoga and meditation can help with calming anxiety and releasing stress.
- Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night is important to balance the hormonal cycle.
4. Scalp Care:
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Make sure you wash your hair often with a sulfate free like rosemary shampoo.
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Massage your scalp using the scalp over skull massage technique to promote blood circulation and increase hair growth. You can also massage your scalp and hair with essential oils such as rosemary & peppermint to boost hair growth. However, always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before using.
- Avoid hot showers. Hot showers can make hair weak & brittle.
5. Avoid excessive heat styling:
Avoid frequent heat styling as too much heat can damage the hair shaft, damage hair cuticles, dry out strands and cause hair to fall out.
6. Avoid smoking & alcohol use:
Quit smoking cigarettes & avoid the use of alcohol, not only for your hair but also for the sake of your general well being. Both of these habits are highly carcinogenic and in several cases, even fatal.
7. Wear caps & keep helmet clean:
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Try to wear hats & caps while in the sun to prevent damage by the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays. Also, the humidity of summers can pollute the scalp attracting dust and grime, clogging the hair follicles. Therefore, using hats and caps especially during summers can be protective.
- Try to keep your helmets clean from the inside in order to prevent any dust or grime from entering the scalp and roots.