Why is my hair falling out? Nature and nurture triggers of male hair loss

Each person will lose around 100 strands of hair a day. They fall out and then grow back again. But one day, some people will find their hair becomes thinner and thinner, and finally, there is no hair at all. Excessive hair loss can happen for different reasons. Learning the causes of hair loss can help you decide the right treatment options or know if your hair will grow back.

Content:

Male Pattern Baldness Caused by Innate Factors

• What is male pattern baldness?
• What causes male pattern baldness?
• How gene or hormone affects hair in men?

Aquired Factors Lead to Hair Loss

• Medications and Chemotherapy
• Stress
• Lifestyle

1. Male Pattern Baldness Caused by Gene and Hormone

1.1 What is male pattern baldness?

Pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of male hair loss. The hair loss starts from both temples, and then, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic “M” shape. The male pattern baldness form of androgenetic alopecia accounts for more than 95% of hair loss in men. Male pattern baldness can begin in your teenage years, but it more commonly occurs in adult men, with the likelihood increasing with age. Men who have close relatives with male pattern baldness will be more likely to it, especially, when their relatives are on the maternal side of the family.

1.2 What causes male pattern baldness?

Androgenetic alopecia is associated with male sex hormones called androgens which contributes to the development of what is thought of as “male” sex characteristics, such as body hair. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen and it is derived from testosterone. Both of them are androgens or hormones that contribute to male sex characteristics when people go through puberty. They are responsible for muscular growth, deeper voices, and sex drive, etc. When the testosterone was converted to the less useful dihydrotestosterone, men will experience hair loss because dihydrotestosterone will attack and shrinks the hair follicles.

1.3 How gene or hormone affects hair in men?

When the testosterone was converted to the less useful dihydrotestosterone, men will experience hair loss because dihydrotestosterone will attack and shrinks the hair follicles. Male pattern baldness sufferers have the hair follicles with a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles sensitive to DHT are easy to miniaturize, which will shorten its lifespan. The shrunken hair follicle gradually produces shorter and finer strands of hair, and finally, it stops growing hair.

2. Aquired Factors Lead to Hair Loss

2.1 Medications and Chemotherapy

Hair loss is one of the many side effects that some cancer drugs can cause, such as gentamicin, allopurinol, hyperthyroidine, thiouracil, trimethylene diketone, propranolol (propranolol), phenytoin sodium, aspirin, and indomethacin. Even though they are successful in treating a physical problem, they destroy the rapid dividing of cells like hair, leading to hair loss. Radiation therapy, as a cure for cancer, is also a major cause of hair loss. About 70 % cancer patients need radiation during treatment, this is a local treatment that causes hair loss only where the radiation targets.

In addition to chemotherapy that causes hair loss, those taking medication for high blood pressure, such as blood thinners and beta-blockers may also experience temporary hair loss. Even some antidepressants, anti-fungal antibiotics, and birth control will also cause hair loss.

Don’t worry, once medication and chemotherapy are stopped, your hair will naturally return.

2.2 Stress

Nervous tension, depression, fear, or severe insomnia can all cause neurological dysfunction, when the capillaries contract, the hair follicles don’t get enough blood supply, and the scalp is located at the top of the body, so hair is the easiest to fall out.

Psychological factor still can affect the growth cycle of the hair, the eyesight fatigue of a long time, overweight mental pressure, excessively nervous, impatient or anxious mood, stay up late, etc., all can bring about hair growth cycle to shorten, appear alopecia phenomenon, bring about early baldness.

Luckily, appropriate adjustment and relaxation can alleviate the symptoms of hair loss.

2.3 Lifestyle

Start talking about diet, firstly, long-term picky eating can bring about the lack of vitamin, cause metabolic obstacle and the lack of amino acid inside the body. As a result, the hair falls out due to malnutrition. Secondly, excessive smoking and drinking can also cause hair loss. Smoking will reduce blood circulation and weaken the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. When alcohol is consumed, it is metabolized into acetaldehyde, which directly affects the function and morphology of proteins in the body. These influences will lead to premature hair follicle into the rest period, form unconventional hair drop increase. Then, sugar or salt overdose, protein deficiency, B group vitamin deficiency, iron deficiency, zinc deficiency, insufficient or excessive selenium, also cause hair loss. Finally, if you take anabolic steroids to strengthen your muscles, you may lose your hair. Anabolic steroids have the same effect on the body as polycystic ovary disease (PCOS).

Stay up late for a long time will bring damage to the endocrine system and nervous system, and will affect the growth cycle, there is a great possibility to aggravate hair loss.

Haircare products such as perms and hair dyes are common causes of hair loss. Ironing your hair regularly, using chemicals that are harmful to your hair, such as styling foam and hair dyes, or tying your hair too tightly can cause hair to fall out.

When you notice that you are excessively losing hair, the first step is to identify its cause and then seek the possible treatment. Hope this information given on this page will give you some ideas of what to discuss with your doctor and then decide the best treatment.