Hair fall is more common in men than women. Multiple reasons contribute to hair loss; however, two major ones are –genetics and nutritional deficiencies.
Male pattern baldness affects more than half of the male population over the age of 50. Androgenetic alopecia, a genetic disorder, is an inherited nightmare.
Before you go out and get your hands on every product or therapy that says 'can prevent hair loss,' let us tell you hair loss can never avoid that hair loss. But some treatments and cures can help to delay the process.
Below are some of the hair regrowth treatments for men which can help them regain their crown full of hair.
What Is Hair Loss In Men?
Did you know that the American Academy of Dermatologists considers scalp hair loss of 50 to 100 strands per day to be normal? The loss isn't even noticed because the healthy growth of hair replaces it. Trouble arises when the loss overpowers growth. Hair loss and baldness occur when hair falls out too rapidly or when new follicles cease to develop.
You may see gradually decreasing hair or a sudden bald patch, depending on the reason for the hair loss. Hair loss can affect either your scalp or your entire body.
Causes Of Hair Fall
There are many reasons for hair fall to occur in men. Below are a few common ones:
Stress:
Stress-induced hair loss, significantly less common than male pattern baldness, is known as Telogen effluvium and is a surprisingly common condition. Exaggerated hair shedding due to stress is typical after a shock or stressful incident, either mental or physical. Hair thinning can be caused by factors such as surgery, sickness, severe weight reduction, or trauma. Fortunately, the hair loss is not permanent here. If identified, hair can regrow in 2 to 6 months.
Medicine:
Certain medicines can affect the growth of your hair and cause it to fall. Hair loss is commonly associated with cancer-treatment drugs such as chemotherapy. Other drugs used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), heart problems, and skin diseases such as acne might cause it.
Chemotherapy medicines, for example, can induce anagen effluvium, a kind of shedding that occurs when the hair shaft (the portion of the hair that grows out from the scalp) is shattered.
Certain hormonal drugs can also cause hair loss if quickly discontinued.
Genetics:
If your ancestor(s) suffer from hair loss, you are more likely to get it yourself. Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is a hereditary disorder in which people gradually lose their hair. It may manifest as a receding hairline or thinning patches on the crown of the head.
Hormonal Imbalance:
Androgenetic alopecia is associated with an increase in an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excess male sex hormone production can cause a hormonal imbalance, affecting hair follicle health and inhibiting hair growth. It may also shorten the lifespan of a hair. It is also one of the main causes of Male pattern baldness.
Nutrient Deficiencies:
A lack of one or more essential nutrients, such as zinc, iron, biotin, protein, and so on, can lead to deficiency and harm your hair. A lack of iron can cause iron deficiency anemia. Crash diets and sudden weight gain or loss can put a lot of pressure and stress on the diet. This can result in serious problems such as Telogen effluvium.
Nutritional deficiencies can reduce the thickness of your hair, cause damaged and dry hair, and even cease hair growth.
Stress:
One of the most common causes of male hair thinning is stress, which can have a negative impact on the health of your hair. Fortunately, the damage is not permanent. After being diagnosed, hair can regrow in 2 to 6 months. However, the physiological damage it causes can lead to mental health issues such as despair and anxiety.
Stress increases the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Telogen effluvium is a term used to describe stress-induced hair loss, which is far less common than male pattern baldness.
Hair Regrowth Treatment For Men
There are many options to look at, and one can discuss them with their doctor.
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Lifestyle Change
Quit Smoking:
You've probably heard about all the terrible effects smoking has on your lungs. But did you know that smoking is linked to hair loss?
In 2020, a research study was conducted on 1,000 males. The results were shocking, and it was discovered that most of those who smoked had some degree of hair loss compared to fewer than half of those who did not smoke.
Quitting smoking is one of the best hair fall treatments for men.
Massage:
After a tiring day at work, doesn't it just feel wonderful to get massages? Head massages have more benefits than just relaxing your body.
Massaging can stimulate blood flow and thus strengthen the follicles. Two studies prove this. In 2016, a small study was conducted on a Japanese man who received 4 minutes of scalp massage every day for 24 weeks and had thicker hair at the conclusion of the research.
According to another research conducted in 2019, scalp massages are connected with self-perceived increases in hair density.
Balanced Diet:
Your hair is made of a structural protein called Keratin. Therefore, a balanced diet is much needed to keep your hair healthy and in shape.
Limit sugar consumption and incorporate a mix of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins into your diet.
According to a 2019 study, some vitamins and minerals in the diet are linked to good hair. Try to include these:
- foods high in iron: such as lean steak, beans, green leafy vegetables, and iron-fortified cereals.
- Omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods include salmon, mackerel, tuna, flax seeds, yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts.
- Meals rich in protein, such as lean meats and shellfish
Lastly, make sure you're drinking lots and lots of water. Your body needs a lot of water to function, or else you might start noticing an itchy throat, dehydration, dry and cracked skin, and poor hair health in the long run.
Reduce stress:
Stress may be highly damaging to the body, especially the hair. A hectic lifestyle may cause hair loss and lead to Telogen effluvium.
Some of the simple stress-reduction techniques include:
- listening to music
- exercising on a regular basis
- Yoga practice
- Meditation
- Enough sleep
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Plant-Based Ingredients:
Some of the below options are best suited for natural hair regrowth treatment for men
Biotin:
Stimulates keratin formation in hair and accelerates hair follicle development. Biotin is a vitamin that occurs naturally in foods such as:
- Oats
- Onions
- Nuts
- sweet potatoes
There is some evidence that taking biotin can help reduce hair loss. Still, most studies have been done on women deficient in biotin.
However, there is a lack of evidence that supplementing with biotin has a discernible benefit in healthy persons.
Bhringraj:
Bhringraj oil is derived from a plant widely known as a false daisy in English. The herb belongs to the sunflower family and thrives in damp environments such as Thailand, India, and Brazil.
Bhringraj oil combines bhringraj plant leaves with a carrier oil and heats them. It is available in powder form and capsule.
Ayurveda is an Indian practice that strives to balance and heal the body via diet. Bhringraj is supposed to encourage hair development, strengthen hair, and prevent greying and dandruff.
The FDA has authorized two drugs for the treatment of male pattern baldness:
Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) is a prescription medicine you can take regularly. According to the AAD, Finasteride has been shown to slow further hair loss in 80% to 90% of men who use it. If this medication works for you, you should see results in about 6 months.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is offered over the counter. Apply it twice daily to the scalp to promote hair development and prevent hair loss. It might take 4 to 6 months to notice benefits with minoxidil. The outcome is also dependent on the correct application and dose.
It may take up to a year to notice the effects of minoxidil and finasteride. However, you must be consistent to see results. Note that these medications work only up till a particular stage.
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Hair Transplant
Remember that both hair transplant treatments are considered surgery, which may be costly and uncomfortable.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE) are the two most common hair transplant methods.
There are other hazards, including infections and scars. You may need to undergo numerous hair transplant treatments to achieve the desired result.
FUT is the more "traditional" technique. It entails removing some skin, usually from the back of your head, where there is a lot of hair.
FUE involves a surgeon removing hair follicles from the scalp and transplanting them to bald areas of the scalp. Direct hair implantation (DHI) is a modified variant of this method. The treatment is completed using a specialized instrument.
Male pattern baldness does not necessitate hair transplants for everyone. When discussing MPB, clinicians use the Norwood scale as a measurement. If you are in stages 1 to 4, you can treat your symptoms with medication and scalp care. If you are past stage 5, you may require hair transplant surgery.
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Hair Care:
Hair care is of utmost importance if you are going through hair thinning. When brushing or styling your hair, try to be as gentle as possible. Twisting, twirling, or tugging your hair tight all the time might cause hair loss.
If you're concerned about hair loss, try avoiding the following:
- Braids, Pigtails, cornrows, and buns are examples of tight hairstyles.
- Perms and hair straightening procedures contain chemicals.
- Bleaching your hair with hot curling irons or straightening irons
Get expert assistance if you use chemicals or bleach in your hair. Please do not attempt to do it at home.
Suppose you've seen thinning hair or have a family history of male-pattern baldness. In that case, you might be unable to stop your hair loss entirely. You may still be able to delay or prevent some hair loss.
Some preventive techniques that can help you are –
- Trying to find the cause of the stress and reduce it.
- Maintaining overall health by adapting to a nutritious lifestyle.
- Massaging the scalp regularly.
- Quitting smoking or drinking.
- Avoid touching or pulling your hair, etc.
Takeaway:
Regardless of the problem, we suggest you take a hair test at Traya Health to understand your scalp issues better. The hair test is an elaborate online questionnaire where you are asked to fill in all the details and upload images of your scalp.
Our professionals then give you a detailed diagnosis as per your hair type. A personalized package for your problem is delivered to your doorstep with a prescription by our doctors. We also give you a health coach to help you achieve your goal consistently. They support you in staying motivated long enough to see the results.
Do you need assistance with your hair loss? Visit our website now for additional information and effective treatment!
FAQ:
Q1 - Is It Possible To Regrow The Lost Hair?
It all depends. A new hair cannot develop if a follicle is closed, gone, scarred, or has not created new hair in years. However, if the follicle remains intact, it is possible to regenerate the hair—or to increase the health of the existing weaker hairs.
Q2 - Can Lost Hair Grow Back For Men?
Several natural therapies may be used to regenerate hair depending on the hair type and stage of male pattern baldness. However, surgery is the only option if the baldness pattern has progressed beyond stage 4. To better understand your hair journey, consult your doctor or do a Traya hair test.
Q3 - How Can I Regrow My Hair Male?
Male-pattern baldness has no cure, but certain drugs can slow it down. Minoxidil is an over-the-counter, FDA-approved medication that you apply to your scalp. It decreases hair loss and helps some men grow new hair. However, doing so without contacting an expert or a registered doctor is not advised.
Q4 - How Can I Regrow My Hair Naturally For Men?
Medication and surgery are two options for treating hair loss. You might be able to stop or slow hair loss. Without therapy, hair may regenerate in some situations, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), within a year.
Q5 - How Can Men Regrow Their Hair Again?
Depending on the hair type and the stage of male pattern baldness, there are multiple natural remedies one can use to regrow the hair. However, if the baldness pattern has crossed stage 4, surgery is the only solution. Take to your doctor or take a hair test at Traya to better understand your hair journey.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31144371/
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/shedding
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/male-pattern-hair-loss-treatment
