Hair loss among men is common, so it can be easy to put it down to your genetic makeup. However, is there another reason your hair is thinning or being lost? The answer is often about your circumstances, but we want to help you find out.
Here, we will look at how hair loss due to stress and genetics differ so you can get to the bottom of the problem and find the appropriate help.
Male Pattern Hair Loss
Losing hair because a parent or grandparent has done so and the genes have been passed on to you is the most common form of hair loss, affecting millions up and down the country throughout their lives. The condition is referred to as androgenetic alopecia and can happen to men at any point in their adult lives.
Usually, male pattern hair loss is identifiable by a thinning crown, where more of your scalp will be visible than before, or a receding hairline, often at the temples. Gradually, these signs will worsen unless you contact a hair loss specialist to address the issue.
Telogen Effluvium
Our bodies do strange things when we're under a lot of stress or anxiety; sweaty palms and an increased heart rate are two common symptoms, but did you know you can lose hair when your stress levels are too high? The excess stress in your system tricks your body into mistakenly attacking your hair follicles, which can lead to hair loss or thinning.
Because telogen effluvium is less gradual than male pattern hair loss, it doesn't manifest similarly. For example, patchy areas can appear at any part of your scalp and won't regress consistently, like androgenetic alopecia; this is a clear indicator that stress is the reason for your hair loss.
Aim to reduce your stress levels before it gets to this point by speaking to a colleague about reducing your workload, finding time to relax more, exercising as much as possible, and practising mindfulness or meditation.
How to Treat Any Form of Hair Loss
No matter the reason you're losing hair, there's often a solution to the problem. Most people are prescribed one of two medications to fight the effects of hair loss: Minoxidil or Finasteride (or both).
Topical Minoxidil is applied directly to your scalp to dilate the scalp's blood vessels so better nutrient absorption can occur and generating increased blood and oxygen to the area is possible; this should reverse the miniaturisation process and make hair regrowth an increased possibility.
Oral Finasteride, however, halts testosterone from converting to DHT in your body so your scalp won't be subjected to it as much; this androgen is formed naturally during adolescence, but restricting its effects as an adult can prevent you from losing hair.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
