If you’re worried about thinning hair, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, as many as 85% of men will experience hair thinning by their fifties. Below, we explain why your hair might be thinning and introduce you to some potential solutions that could help you maintain a full and healthy head of hair for longer.
Hereditary
The primary cause of hair loss in men is due to a hereditary condition known as male pattern hair loss. For most men, male pattern hair loss occurs gradually over a period of time. It develops in patterns, with most men noticing a receding hairline or bald spots in and around the temples. In the UK, most men experience some degree of male pattern hair loss by the time they reach their sixties, while others will experience signs of thinning in their twenties or thirties. The root of this hair loss is a hormone called DHT, which can speed up hair loss for those men who are sensitive to it.
Medical conditions
Some people have thin hair as a result of certain medical conditions. For instance, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to unpredictable hair loss, which might see you lose your hair in patches. What’s more, the condition can appear suddenly, and its causes aren’t particularly well understood by researchers. It differs from male pattern hair loss, which is a gradual process that occurs over time.
Medications
Certain medications or supplements can lead to hair thinning. Drugs that cause hair loss interfere with the hair growth cycle, resulting in conditions known as telogen effluvium or anagen effluvium. The most common type of hair loss associated with medicine is telogen effluvium, which causes the hair follicles to go into their resting phase. In fact, research shows that it can lead to the shedding of as much as 70% more than the standard 100-150 hairs that most people lose in a day. People undergoing chemotherapy are likely to experience the effects of telogen effluvium.
Lifestyle
Another reason why your hair might be thin is a direct result of your lifestyle. Nutrient deficiencies caused by a poor diet can lead your hair to thin, particularly if you’re not getting enough protein, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and biotin. Studies have also found that there is a relationship between smoking and hair loss, which is yet another reason to try and kick the bad habit. While your lifestyle choices alone aren’t typically enough to cause your hair to fall out, they certainly contribute to the health of your hair. As such, following a nutritious diet and living well will contribute to maintaining a head of healthy hair.
How to treat thinning hair
The good news is that you can do something about your thinning hair, particularly if you fall into the category of hereditary male pattern hair loss. Finasteride and Minoxidil are two medications that have been clinically proven to effectively treat male pattern hair loss. Both medications feature in our popular Full Works treatment plan, which could be an effective solution if you’re noticing the early signs of male pattern hair loss. To find the right plan for you, start your free consultation today.
The verdict: Why is my hair so thin?
There are several reasons why your hair might be thinning, but male pattern hair loss is the primary cause for the vast majority of men. If you’re experiencing the early signs of male pattern hair loss, a Sons treatment might help you wrestle back control of your hair. However, if you think that you might be losing your hair as a result of one of the other conditions introduced above, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to run through your symptoms in detail.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
