Balding in older men is very common. You could spot several bald men before many people embraced hair loss treatments. But what causes balding?
Science says that at least 70% of men develop baldness by the time they are 50. The number increases with age. But in the modern world, you’d barely notice that. Several treatment methods slow down or reverse the cause of bald.
Causes of Bald Spots
The greatest cause of balding is genetic inheritance. Many bald victims can trace a few or several people in their family tree that experienced balding. The reason for genetic hair loss is how your genetic predisposition interacts with the endocrine factor.
When you get to puberty, your body releases sex hormones. The hormones will react with hair follicles and make them small. It only happens if you are predisposed to the condition.
Your hair will fall out then be replaced by tiny invisible hair. You can feel the fur when you gently touch your scalp. After some time, the follicles become dormant. At this point, they will not produce the fuzz. Thus, you are left with a smooth and shiny scalp.
Other causes can lead to hair loss. They include poor nutrition, stress, medication, some medical conditions, and significant weight loss.
Types of Baldness that Affect Men
You can refer to male pattern baldness as androgenic alopecia. However, it’s not the only cause of baldness in men. There are other causes of baldness- Some fall under the bracket alopecia, while others don’t. The difference is from the symptom of each type of hair loss.
Androgenic Alopecia
It’s the type of hair loss that you inherit from the family line. Hormonal changes trigger it. Many men will start experiencing hair loss during puberty.
Alopecia Areata
This is a sudden type of hair loss. It happens in patches that can merge to create a bigger bald spot. Alopecia areata can heal on its own. However, persistent hair loss can lead to dormant follicles. You can reverse this type of hair loss through some treatment methods.
There are several types of Alopecia areata. A man can suffer any kind. However, the type of alopecia areata that affects men only is beard alopecia.
Scarring Alopecia
You can develop scarring on your scalp due to soreness. Persistent soreness can lead to weak hair follicles- They can pull out and cause permanent baldness. It’s the worst type of alopecia since it’s irreversible.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a less severe type of hair loss. It happens between hair growth cycles. The hair thins out and falls off. In extreme cases, a patient can develop bald spots. You can reverse the effect if you apply therapies to revive dormant hair follicles.
Sign of Male Pattern Baldness
Signs of male pattern baldness seem obvious. However, you need to identify them. They help you tell apart what causes baldness and normal hair shedding. Here are the tell-a-tale symptoms to look out for;
- Patchy and circular spots. They are a sign you are suffering from alopecia areata. It’s a quick type of hair loss that can leave you bald within a few weeks.
- You experience gradual hair thinning at the top of your head. It’s the most common type of hair loss sign in men.
- Hair suddenly becomes loose. You can notice this if you shed more hair while combing than before. It would help if you addressed the cause of hair loss ASAP.
- You develop scales that spread on your entire head. They are a sign of ringworms. This type of problem can cause scarring alopecia. It can cause permanent baldness.
- You can get full-body hair loss while on some types of treatment. Chemo is one such medication.
Treatment of Male Pattern Baldness
Baldness treatment is divided into three classes. There are surgical, medical, and cosmetic treatment methods. Surgical treatment offers a permanent hair loss remedy. But it’s the most expensive type of hair loss treatment. The hair loss treatments include:
Hair Transplants
It’s the extraction of healthy hair from areas that don’t get affected by balding and replanting the grafts on bald areas. It’s a permanent method of hair loss treatment. Select a qualified doctor to avoid the risks involved.
PRP for Hair Loss
This is the use of blood platelets to revive dormant hair follicles. The treatment happens in a doctor’s office.
Topical Applications
Several applications aid in hair growth. They include hair growth shampoos, essential oils, and Minoxidil applications.
Oral Medication
Finasteride is the common oral medication for hair loss. Check with your doctor for alternatives. These kinds of medications have side effects.
Conclusion
There are several causes of baldness. You can address each one depending on the cause and severity. If you get permanent baldness, you can opt for a hair transplant as a treatment method.
