Are You Going Bald? These are Common Signs of Balding in Men
While both men and women can experience balding as a natural part of aging, most people aren’t too happy when their hair begins to thin and their hairline changes. If you are worried about going bald and want to be able to recognize the early signs of balding so that you can be proactive about maintaining your hair, keep reading. This article will provide you with all the information you need to know about the causes and signs of balding and steps you can take to slow the balding process and enjoy a fuller, thicker head of hair.
Why Do Men Go Bald?
Balding is an all too common condition for men. In fact, about 66% of men experience some hair loss by the time they turn 35. By age 50, a full 80% of men are dealing with hair loss. The causes of hair loss vary from person to person. Here are just a few of the most common causes of hair loss:
Genetics
For most men, the main cause of baldness, or androgenic alopecia, is genetics. One pervasive myth is that baldness is passed down through the mother’s side. While scientists have been able to link the baldness gene to the X chromosome, which does come from the mother’s side, the father’s genes also play an important role. If you have a bald father, you are more likely to develop male pattern baldness. Basically, if baldness runs in your family, on either side, you are more likely to experience hair loss well.
Medications, Nutrition and Other Health Problems
For most men, thinning hair and male pattern baldness are a natural part of aging. However, there are some circumstances where hair loss could be a sign of other problems. If you recently started taking a new medication and notice increased hair loss, you should consult your doctor. Poor nutrition, stress and other conditions, such as certain cancers, can also contribute to hair loss. That is why it is important to see your doctor when you notice any changes in your hair growth patterns. They will be able to run simple tests to rule out any potentially dangerous causes and help you establish a plan for dealing with your hair loss.
Hormones
The body produces several types of testosterone that are responsible for supporting different areas of the body. When testosterone and an enzyme known as 5ɑ-Reductase interact, a byproduct known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced. This byproduct directly influences hair growth.
If you are genetically prone to hair loss, then you will have more DHT bonds with the receptors in your hair follicles. This causes the follicles to weaken and shrink, which creates thinner hair strands and less hair growth overall. Eventually, the hair growth cycle stops completely and no new hair is produced.
Often times, hormonal levels will change as you age and cause DHT to shift as well. However, while age does play a factor in balding, hair loss can happen at any age.
Early Signs of Balding
Hair loss tends to slowly happen over time, which can make it difficult to notice subtle changes in your hair thickness or hairline. In fact, some people only begin to recognize changes after looking back at old pictures. During the early stages, you may notice that your actual hair strands aren’t as thick as they used to be and that your hair begins to recede at the temples. Another common sign is excessive hair loss after showering and grooming. On average, humans lose about 100 hairs per day, so there is no need to panic if you find stray hairs. Just be on the lookout for an increase in the number of loose hairs and be sure to seek medical advice if you think that your hair loss has noticeably increased.
Hair Loss Patterns
Hair loss tends to follow certain patterns of progress in the same way among men. In fact, doctors have created the Norwood scale to better understand how baldness tends to travel across the scalp. This scale, which ranges from 1 to 7 can also be used to identify the best course of treatment based on what stage of baldness you are experiencing.
The first stage represents a full head of hair. From there, hair will begin to recede around the temples. By stage 3, hair loss is more noticeable and the hairline will be far away enough from the temples to form an “M” shaped pattern. At this point, a bald spot will also start forming on the crown of the head. Stage 4 is characterized by a larger bald spot and a deeper loss around the temples. The stages will continue to progress and become more pronounced until the hairline creates a horseshoe shape where the crown bald spot and receding hairline actually meet and the entire top of the head is hairless.
Dealing with Male Pattern Baldness
If you know that you are genetically predisposed to balding, you can be proactive about looking out for the early signs of balding and working with your doctor to create a plan of action that best suits your needs. There are different treatments, including shampoos, medications, non-surgical and surgical options that can help to slow the balding process and help restore lost hair for a natural look that will help you feel more confident.
You can also contact the experts at Apollo Image Enhancement Center and learn more about cutting-edge solutions that will help you manage hair loss. With over 40 years of treating men throughout the Houston area, we have the skills and experience to provide you with customized solutions that can restore your hair and provide a totally natural look and feel. No matter what your budget or what stage of baldness you are experiencing, there is a solution for you. Start with a free scalp evaluation. All you have to do is fill out the consultation request form or call us directly at (713) 955-7732. We look forward to hearing from you.
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