Hair Loss in Men: Treatments and Prevention

During their lifetime, the majority of adult men are affected by alopecia or even baldness before the age of 35. Although it is less taboo than alopecia in women, hair loss is not less painful for men. Beyond hereditary factors, hair loss in men can be caused or accelerated by our lifestyle and our state of health.

80% of men will lose their hair. For some of them, it will happen before the age of 35.

Why do men lose their hair?

The most widespread cause of hair loss, called androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), is a natural phenomenon, induced by hormonal and genetic reasons. Baldness is linked to an overactivity of an enzyme present in the body. This enzyme accelerates the life cycle of the hair, which only lives for 3 to 6 months instead of 3 to 4 years. Consequence: the hair falls out and ends up not growing back. Although it is not a disease in itself, baldness and hair loss in men can severely affect their confidence and self-esteem.

Genetics is not the only cause responsible for hair loss, other external factors exist such as stress or psychological shock. It is then called acute alopecia. It concerns both men and women.

Another common type of alopecia is alopecia areata: Although it can be hard to determine exactly the cause of this, in most people it is linked to hereditary factors or the presence of an autoimmune disease.

Both men and women can also suffer from localized alopecia: this is caused by a burn, alopecia or tumor of the skin. In this type of alopecia, the hair can grow back.

Finally, the last case of alopecia and the rarest, can be of congenital origin: it consists of an anomaly which can concern the composition of the hair or an absence of roots. Babies are born without hair and it will never grow. This type of alopecia has no treatment

How to prevent hair loss in men?

If it is impossible to avoid androgenetic hair loss, we can still slow down the process by taking good reflexes on a daily basis, or even by using anti-hair loss products. Here are a few useful tips to include in your daily routine that may slow down your hair loss.

Avoid wearing a helmet or other tight head gear for prolonged periods.
Stay away from styling products such as lacquer or gel. If you use it, be sure to brush your hair well at bedtime to remove all residue and let the hair breathe.
Use suitable shampoos: anti-hair loss shampoos will not regrow hair, but can limit, prevent and slow down hair loss.
Dietary supplements can also be of great help, especially in cases of acute alopecia.
Drug treatments based on minoxidil are available by prescription or topically available off the counter. These treatments will slow hair loss but may have side effects such as hypotension or tachycardia, so check with your doctor first and use as prescribed.

If hair loss persists, such as in cases of male pattern baldness, the ultimate solution is to get a hair transplant. It is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia and costs approximately between $2000 and $8000 depending on the size of the area to be treated and the method used. It consists of taking hair from the crown of the head and relocating it to the bald areas.