The time when men started losing their hair in their 50s and 60s seems to have long gone. The current generation is facing the same beast sooner. The feeling is so obnoxious that it feels as though someone has flipped a switch inside of you that turns on the shame about potentially going bald. It begins with the finding of hair on a pillow and then comes the gradual realization of a receding hairline—all of which point to baldness shortly.
Baldness has become taboo in the current generation. So much so that baldness has become a sensitive point of discussion in male friendship circles, and talking about baldness makes you sound uncannily rude. Let’s just face it! Bald people are masked and portrayed as plain as pikestaff in modern society, and this forces them to shy away from reflecting upon their bodies and understanding their hair patterns thoroughly.
What causes hair loss in men?
Genetics:
Genetics can sometimes have a significant impact on the onset of hair loss. The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes baldness, predisposes some men to it genetically. It is generated from testosterone and contributes to the development of male features throughout puberty. A high amount of DHT has been proven to cause the thinning of hair follicles and result in baldness as we age.
Stress:
Stress causes a temporary hair loss condition known as telogen effluvium, which may even get worse. Stress can cause hair follicles to enter a "resting" state when they do not create new hair strands. Hair can come out more easily over time, even if you're merely washing, brushing, or caressing it.
Hormonal Fluctuations:
Hormonal fluctuations in men can cause hair loss. When androgens such as testosterone and DHT vary, hair follicles shrink and the hair development cycle is shortened, resulting in hair loss and thinning. Research suggests that hair loss can be caused by a lack of testosterone. Hair loss due to hormonal imbalance is, however, temporary.
Improper diet without the intake of vitamins:
Sometimes, not receiving enough critical nutrients might hurt your body’s ability to produce thick, healthy hair. Iron deficiency is often associated with hair loss. If your iron intake is inadequate, you may develop iron-deficiency anemia, a disorder that frequently impacts hair development. Deficiencies in iron and other vitamins might cause your hair to lose thickness, become brittle, or simply stop growing as it should otherwise.
When should you worry about your state after hair loss?
Hair loss can accompany or follow an episode of tension, anxiety, fear, or heightened stress. It's natural to be concerned about hair loss, whether you've noticed indications of thinning hair or patchy hair loss or you're simply frightened because baldness runs in your family.
But you may have a problem if your anxiety escalates into compulsive activity or a phobia. Peladophobia is a fear of losing one's hair. It is believed to be the result of a combination of external traumatic events and a hereditary predisposition, such as phobias running in the family. Typically, an event stimulates memories of past trauma, causing the phobia's symptoms to manifest.
Early hair loss symptoms, such as those that appear in a teen or young adult, can be upsetting to some extent. But anxiety increases when someone is made fun of for losing their hair. As a result of this gradual decline in self-assurance, peladophobia may manifest.
How can you treat hair loss?
Hair loss is often a worry and a problem if it occurs early in your life. When a problem presents itself, it gives room for solutions as well. The following are ways to treat hair loss:
Make changes to your diet:
Changes in your diet and daily routine can help you keep your hair and regrow any hair you've lost. This usually entails adopting minor dietary modifications or taking supplements to enhance your intake of important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
You are most likely to face hair loss if you are deficient in vitamin A. Thus, you have to eat foods high in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A. Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and kale are all vegetables that are high in beta-carotene. Eggs, yogurt, and milk should also be included in the diet.
High-GI (glycemic index) foods, including the likes of refined wheat, bread, and delicacies with added sugar, should be avoided and not included in the diet. This is because these can cause hormonal imbalances by causing an increase in insulin and androgens, which bind to hair follicles and cause hair loss.
Medication:
Men can combat hair loss to a fair degree with FDA-approved medications. Finasteride is one such medication that comes in the form of a pill that you take daily to prevent hair loss. According to the FDA, it will take at least three months of regular administration to see results from the medicine. Finasteride has been demonstrated to reduce additional hair loss in approximately 80% to 90% of men who use it.
Minoxidil is another drug that comes in liquid or foam form. It has been demonstrated to prevent hair loss, stimulate hair growth, and strengthen existing hair strands. But keep in mind that both of these medicines are only available with a doctor's prescription.
Containment treatment to reduce stress:
Hair loss, balding, and hair thinning are all symptoms of stress, especially stress brought on by worry. In time, hair-related symptoms can be relieved by reducing stress and worrying behavior. One of the most effective methods for reducing and eliminating nervous behavior is containment.
Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are all effective relaxation and stress containment treatments.
If self-care techniques aren't necessarily working, you can look for reinforcement in the form of therapy or counseling. Therapy may also be beneficial if you feel overwhelmed or confined or if you worry excessively.
Break the taboo about baldness!
When men lose their hair, they are frequently derided for attempting to conceal the truth. But there is no reason for a bald man to shy away or back off from exposing his baldness. You’ll always encounter people calling or pinpointing you as a ‘bald guy’, say, for example, in a restaurant where you’ve ordered something and one of the waiters goes on to say "Rice for the bald guy over at that table". Remember that when people look at you or call you out for your baldness, it is because you are unique in your way. There is nothing negative about this as long as you are aware that you are much more than just what your hair suggests.
Baldness is not a turn-off by any means. Just keep your hair relatively short and learn to enjoy it. Don't dwell too much on the receding hairline; there are countless things for you to achieve.
Conclusion
We live in a world where lustrous hair is glamorized with vitality and youth, and baldness is regarded as something to be concealed or ashamed of. Well, just do not pay heed to this because this is absolute nonsense. You’ve got greater things to achieve in your life than just dwelling on your physical appearance.
Let’s face it! Hair loss is natural and sometimes inevitable. It boils down to accepting it as a part of your life. You can always turn to the ways to treat hair loss mentioned above if they are feasible. You will always find that your life improves dramatically when you stop worrying about losing your hair and learn to embrace it.