Male Hair Loss: Why Do Men Lose Hair As They Get Older?

October 2018 | Reading time: 3 minutes

Male hair loss is a worrying experience at any point in life. However, male hair loss is more prominent with age, especially with the anxieties of modern day life. Thankfully, there are now ways you can treat hair loss, such as undergoing a hair transplant, or Laser Hair Rejuvenation. Yet before you decide to have any treatment, make sure you know a bit more about hair loss, and how to identify it so you can take action at the right time. To save you the trouble, we’ve done some research for you!

We all experience hair loss to an extent, as we lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. New hairs grow and replace those that fall out, however, you may notice that you lose more hairs than average. If you notice more hair loss than usual, don’t panic – this could be temporary. Reasons such as stress, illness, weight loss, iron deficiency, or cancer treatment can be responsible for this. Often it is difficult to determine if hair loss is temporary or permanent. You may wish to consult a doctor to dispel any worries.

Male Hair Loss

A common cause of male hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, known as male pattern baldness. Alopecia UK estimates that roughly 50% of men over 50 experience male pattern baldness, caused by a mixture of genes and hormones. The hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) shrinks the hair follicles, a process called miniaturisation. This causes the hair to thin, before stopping the growth phase of the hair follicle entirely, so no new hair grows.

This type of male hair loss is identifiable through receding hairlines and hair loss from the top of the head. This varies from person to person, so it is not unusual to experience hair loss from other areas of the head. Unfortunately, once the follicles stop producing hair, this hair loss is often irreversible. At this point, follicles are too damaged and cannot be repaired.

There are a lot of myths about hair loss. For instance, people say that wearing a hat leads to baldness, and using too much shampoo encourages hair loss. These are not true! If you think you are experiencing hair loss, then consult a doctor to find out how this will progress. If you want to undertake treatments, the best time to do it is in the early stages of hair loss. Although the hair follicles are inactive, they are repairable.

It is important to bear in mind that male hair loss is a different experience for everyone, not just in how it occurs, but how it makes you feel. If hair loss causes you to feel upset and down, then don’t waste time before consulting a professional for advice.