With it being Men’s Health Week from 15th to 20th June, we thought we’d take a look at a major concern for men: male hair loss.
Hair loss in men is extremely common. In fact studies have shown that 30% of Caucasian men experience male pattern hair loss by the age of thirty. That figure increases to 50% by the age of fifty, and to 70% by eighty years of age.
There are many causes of hair loss in men:
Nutritional deficiency and hair loss
We all know that eating a balanced, varied diet is good for us, but did you know it is also good for your hair? If you’re not eating enough of the right kinds of nutrients, that could cause your hair to weaken and fall out.
Nutrients that are essential for healthy hair include:
- Iron – found in greatest quantities in red meat and green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli
- Omega 3 and other essential fatty acids – most commonly found in fish
- Vitamin B – found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy produce as well as some dark green vegetables
Ensuring that your diet is rich in these nutrients should help your hair to stay stronger for longer.
Stress and hair loss
One major cause of hair loss in both men and women is stress. This can be ongoing, low level stress, or more commonly a major stressful event.
The latter tends to cause a form of hair loss called telogen effluvium, where the hair enters the resting phase of its life cycle early. This causes a lot of hair to fall out at once, instead of the usual process where a few hairs fall out each day.
This will usually happen around three to six months after the stressful event, so the link may not be obvious. The good news is that telogen effluvium is usually temporary and the hair will grow back eventually.
Genetics and male pattern baldness
Most men – and women – will experience a degree of hair thinning as they get older. However, men are more susceptible to a more noticeable, progressive hair loss that can begin as early as their 20s and 30s.
The most common reason for this type of male hair loss is genetics. Some men are more susceptible to the effects of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes hair follicles to shrink as you get older.
The hair loss typically follows a distinctive pattern, with loss of hair either at the front of the hairline and temples and/or the top of the head. Male pattern baldness, known medically as androgenetic alopecia is estimated to affect about half of all men by the age of 50.
What to do about hair loss that’s already happened
Preventative measures are all well and good, but for many of us it’s too late for a change in our diet or stress levels to have much effect. If your hair loss is already noticeable, you might want to consider a solution that will restore your hairline to its former glory.
If this is the case, a hair transplant might be your best option. These days the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method means that hair transplant surgery is both highly effective and virtually undetectable.
While it might not seem like a big deal, for some men losing their hair can present a huge threat to their emotional wellbeing, and having a hair transplant can provide the confidence boost they need to lead a fuller life.
If you are concerned about hair loss and want to find out more about hair transplant surgery, Dr Mooz is a highly experienced and talented surgeon. He has performed over 1,600 procedures and harvests and transplants every follicle himself.
For more information or to book a consultation with Mr Michael Mouzakis at The Private Clinic of Harley Street, call us on 020 3325 6540.
