Hair loss, also known as alopecia. As many as 50% of men will experience some type of hair loss by the time they are 40 years old. Statistically speaking, it's normal for a person to experience some hair loss on a daily basis. In fact, it's quite normal for you to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day. I'm sure you're thinking, "WHAT????!! That seems like a lot!”Well, the average human has between 150,000 to 90,000 hairs on their head. So when you lose 100 hairs, it's like losing $100 when you have $150,000 plus in the bank. Not to mention, your scalp is in a constant state of regeneration.
Did you know that your hair doesn't grow from the scalp all at the same time? That's right, parts of your scalp will be in a growth phase (anagen phase), with others in a resting phase (catagen phase), and the rest will be in a shedding phase (telegen phase). The problem arises when the majority of your scalp continues to remain in a resting phase (catagen phase). So what exactly causes this to happen? There are several factors that may cause alopecia, and not everyone experiences hair loss for the same reason. The different types of hair loss include:
Androgenic Alopecia - Otherwise known as male pattern balding, alopecia is caused by a variety of different factors and is mainly due to genetics and sensitivity to DHT. DHT is dihydrotestosterone and is the hormone responsible for stimulating the development of male characteristics. Sadly, that same hormone that makes you manly also makes you bald. Sorry guys, it's a love-hate relationship.
Autoimmune - With an autoimmune disease,the hair follicles are damaged due to a misguided immune system. Stress pushes large amounts of the hair follicles into a resting phase.
Telogen Effluvium - Telogen WHAAATT???? This is a big fancy term that means your hair loss is temporary due to factors like stress, medication, poor diet, or hormonal issues.
Traction Alopecia - This type of hair loss is due to the tendons that hold the hair follicle in the scalp being weakened. This can be caused by keeping your hair in a tight ponytail over time or a nervous habit where you constantly twist or pull on your hair.
Scarring Alopecia - Hair loss from scarring, surgery, or trauma.
Thyroid Diseases - Your thyroid gland sits at the base of your neck and is the control center for all your hormones. When your hormone levels are not properly balanced—whether they are too high or too low—it contributes to hair loss.
There are many hair loss treatments available, but you must get to the source of the problem before you can find a solution. In the meantime, here are a few things you can start doing today to lessen the problem:
Tip #1 - Talk to Your Barber & See a Doctor
Believe it or not, your barber (if they paid attention in school) learned a lot more than just how to cut hair. In fact, at one point in time long ago they were known Barber Surgeons. Yep, they were both a barber and a medical professional. In today's world you wouldn't exactly want one of us cutting you open, but just know we all received many hours of instruction on structures of the hair and skin, disorders of the scalp, and bacteriology. Your barber should be able to help you come up with a grooming regimen and offer scalp treatments that will help aid in slowing down or reversing your hair loss.
While seeing your barber is a good start, it does not replace seeing a physician. Remember, we used to be Barber Surgeons but we don't do bloodletting anymore. So start by seeing your general practitioner and get a full blood panel so you can rule out any hormonal issues. It would also be a good idea to see a dermatologist. I would also ask your doctor to order a food allergy blood test. This is different from a scratch allergy test because it will show if you have a delayed adverse reaction to foods. Most hair loss is caused by some sort of inflammation, and it doesn't hurt to make sure the foods you're eating are not causing inflammation in the body.
Tip #2 - Keep Your Scalp Clean & Healthy
I can't stress this enough. I'm always amazed at the misinformation and the amount of neglect that men have in regards to the health of their scalp and hair. I have had men tell me they read on the internet that shampoo is bad for your hair so they don't use it (yuck!). Now, if you read on the internet that washing your hands with soap is bad for your hands, would you stop using it? No! Because we know that soap aids in removing dirt and germs. What soap does for your hands, guys, shampoo does for your hair.
Myth One - Washing your hair causes hair loss (it's quite the opposite). Products with cheap ingredients contribute to hair loss, so invest in quality products that are right for your hair type. You also want to keep your follicles clear of dirt, oil, and product buildup.
Myth Two - I can use a two-in-one shampoo to fully remove oil and keep it hydrated at the same time. This is fiction. There isn't anything that will remove dirt and oil and put the oil back in at the same time. This is a marketing ploy for the lazy. It's equally important to keep your hair and scalp properly hydrated as much as it is to keep them clean. If you are experiencing issues with using conditioner, you might have a product that is not well suited for your hair type. To Lean More
Tip #3 - Limit Wearing Hats
For all you, "roll out of bed and go kind of guys", I know this is hard to hear. It's just so easy to get out of bed, throw a ball cap on, and head out the door, but here are a few hard facts: You excrete the hormone DHT through your follicles. DHT can build up on your follicles as you sweat and cause inflammation. This causes the hair to thin over time and it eventually kills the follicle. Once the follicle dies, the hair is no longer in a resting phase and it can never grow back. Your scalp also needs oxygen and blood flow, and wearing hats all the time can hinder this.
Tip #4 - Weekly Scalp Exfoliation & Daily Massage
Just like your face, your scalp needs a gentle exfoliation from time to time. It's very important to keep your follicles free from dead skin and product build up. Using a good scalp exfoliating shampoo in the problem areas can help keep your scalp healthy. Brands such as Reuzel carry this type of product. Although, do not use this more than once a week. Make sure you don't over scrub. Be gentle, otherwise you can create more inflammation and make the problem worse.
As I mentioned above, your follicles need oxygen and blood flow. I would recommend taking a little peppermint oil on your finger tips and massaging your scalp. Massaging your scalp will increase the blood flow and help relieve stress.
Tip #5 - Take Saw Palmetto
What is Saw Palmetto? Saw Palmetto is a natural herbal supplement that you can get from your local health food store. It not only has unique anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, but it also works to block the enzyme responsible for the production of DHT. Because of this, it is also given to men as an aid in prostate support. Just make sure you consult with your doctor before taking any over the counter supplements. You want to make sure you don't have any underlying medical conditions. You also want to make sure it won't interfere with any current medications.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss can be caused by many different factors, but in men, it is often attributed to genetics. However, just because you might have a genetic predisposition to hair loss, doesn't mean you shouldn't implement a proper grooming routine. There are things you can do to slow down the process and not make matters worse. You just might even prevent it from happening or reverse some of the process. So stay tuned for more hair loss treatment solutions.
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