How to end hair loss

Hair loss is typically a result of heredity, a medical condition or a hormonal change or imbalance. The most common cause of hair loss is hereditary hair loss, which typically occurs or worsens as you age. Hereditary hair loss in men is also called male pattern baldness or by its medical name, androgenetic alopecia. For men, the first sign of male pattern hair loss may be a receding hairline or bald spot.

Hair loss can also be caused by several medical conditions, including alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and trichotillomania. Alopecia areata causes the body’s immune system to attack its own hair follicles. This type of hair loss may be temporary or may need treatment if hair does not grow back. Stress, severe illness or another traumatic event can cause a temporary hair loss condition called telogen effluvium. Typically, after the stress or shock is reduced, the hair will grow back. Trichotillomania is a mental health disorder characterized by compulsive hair-pulling. This condition will last until sufficient mental health treatment is received.

Hair loss can be treated with medication, therapy or a combination, but determining the cause of your hair loss is the first step.

If you are experiencing new or worsening hair loss, see your doctor or or start a free hair loss consultation with Hims.

Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology
National Center for Biotechnology Information

It may be easy to determine the cause of hair loss, or a doctor may need to run tests to determine the root cause.

For men who are experiencing a receding hairline or hair loss that worsens slowly with age, the condition may be a result of male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is permanent hair loss type with no cure, but there are several treatments available to help slow hair loss and even regrow hair.

However, it is recommended that men who are suddenly balding with no apparent cause or pattern seek medical attention to determine the cause. These cases of sudden hair loss may be caused by a medical condition, such as alopecia areata, vitamin deficiency or the side effect of a medication. The good news is that these types of hair loss are typically temporary and resolve when the medical condition is treated.

Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology

While the best type of medical treatment depends on the cause of hair loss, male pattern hair loss can be treated with medications. Minoxidil, the generic of Regaine®, is a topical treatment that is applied directly to the scalp. Minoxidil is best for new hair loss or to treat mild to moderate balding because it works by stimulating hair regrowth. For men who are experiencing thinning hair, minoxidil can help to restore some hair density. Another medication for hair loss is finasteride, an oral medication that treats hair loss by blocking the hormones that inhibit hair growth. Finasteride can help to prevent additional balding and can even stimulate hair regrowth.

However, men experiencing hair loss due to stress, a mental health disorder or a vitamin deficiency should treat the hair loss by treating the root cause. With any hair loss, consult a doctor or other qualified medical professional to determine the proper treatment.

Sources:
MedlinePlus.gov

Hair growth is a process that involves both the growth of new hair and the shedding of old hair. Hair growth occurs in a process called the hair growth cycle, which has four stages: the anagen phase, catagen phase, telogen phase and exogen phase. During the anagen phase, a new hair grows under the skin, which is a process that can last for years.

The catagen phase is the regression and detachment of a hair follicle from the skin with an old hair. During the telogen phase, the new hair grows underneath the old, detached hair follicles. Finally, during the exogen phase, the old and detached hair falls out and the new hair shaft emerges.

Throughout the hair growth cycle, it is important that hairs are replaced at the same rate that they fall out to maintain hair density. If old hairs fall out, but the body does not have adequate new hair to compensate, hair loss and thinning will inevitably occur.

Sources:
forhims.co.uk

There isn’t a cure for hair loss, but there are effective medications and hair restoration treatments. While these medications or procedures may slow hair loss or even reverse balding, beware of any company claiming to “cure” your hair loss, as there is no complete cure for hair loss.

Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology