How Hair Loss Can Be Avoided And Retained In Older Men

Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. Hair loss can affect just your scalp or your entire body. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone can experience hair loss, but it's more common in men. Hair loss happens to half of all men by the age of 50 years.

Although it is a natural part of the aging process for millions of men, hair loss can be psychologically distressing. Sudden or unexpected hair loss can sometimes indicate a more serious health condition that may need medical attention. Men normally lose their hair when three main factors interact: genetics, age, and hormones.

Also known as androgenetic alopecia, male-pattern baldness happens as hormone levels change over the course of a man's life.

Genetic factors also affect the likelihood of male-pattern baldness.

These factors contribute to the gradual shrinkage of the tiny cavities in the skin at the base of hairs, known as scalp hair follicles. Hair grows progressively shorter and finer until no new hairs grow.

Most white men develop some degree of baldness, according to their age and genetic makeup. Male pattern baldness affects up to half of all white men by the age of 50 years and up to 80 percent of men in the same group by the age of 70 years. Men with more first- and second-degree relatives who lose their hair have a higher chance of losing hair themselves. 

CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS

People who buy propecia australia typically lose about 100 hairs a day. This usually doesn't cause noticeable thinning of scalp hair because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.

Hair loss is typically related to one or more of the following factors:

Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually with aging and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair in women.

Hormonal changes and medical conditions: Several health conditions, including thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia, and secondary syphilis, can cause hair loss. While thyroid blood tests and other lab tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), on people who have ordinary hair loss are usually normal, it is important to exclude treatable causes of hair loss. According to Genetics Home Reference, hair loss in men has been linked to prostate cancer, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, or hypertension. It can occur as a reaction to stress or after an illness or major surgery, or as a side effect of some medications, such as anticoagulants, or blood thinners, and vitamin A supplements. Hair loss can also indicate a health condition, such as lupus, a fungal infection, or a thyroid problem. Medical conditions include alopecia areata which causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.

Medications and supplements. Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure.

Radiation therapy to the head: The hair may not grow back the same as it was before.

A very stressful event. Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary.

Certain hairstyles and treatments. Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Hot oil hair treatments and permanents can cause inflammation of hair follicles that leads to hair loss. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent

Other possible causes include:

• Iron deficiency
• Excess vitamin A, possibly as a result of retinoid drugs
• Severe chronic illness, such as diabetes or lupus
• Malnutrition
• Use of anticoagulants, or blood thinners
• Telogen effluvium, a disturbance of the hair growth cycle

A number of genetic changes have been linked to male pattern baldness, but only one has been confirmed by research, the androgen receptor (AR) gene.

Other research has suggested that an abnormal quantity of a protein called prostaglandin D2 in the scalps of some men could link to hair loss. Anyone who is concerned that hair loss may be a symptom of a health problem should see a doctor.

WAYS TO STOP HAIR LOSS IN MEN

1. Watch what you eat: Healthy eating habits can do wonders for creating thicker and fuller hair. Lean protein found in fish, lean meats, and soy supports hair growth, and nuts and seeds are packed with vitamin E and healthy fats to provide your hair with the oil it needs to stay soft and healthy. Even spices can help: Adding cinnamon to your food can help provide necessary oxygen and nutrients to your hair.

2. Use Vitamin for hair loss: Vitamins are not only healthy for overall well being but also good for your hair. Vitamin A encourages healthy production of sebum in the scalp, vitamin E betters blood circulation in the scalp to help hair follicles remain productive and vitamin B helps hair maintain its healthy colour.

3. Stay hydrated: Some 25 per cent of your hair follicles are made of water and when you’re dehydrated, new follicles may be weak.

4. Enrich diet with protein: Eating lean meats, fish, soy or other proteins promotes hair health and in turn helps curb hair loss.

5. Shampoo less often: Shampooing is not natural to the hair and no matter how natural a shampoo is, they can cause hair to grow weak over time. Men’s hair today is no different than men’s hair from thousands of years ago when there was no shampoo. Shampoo strips the hair of the needed oils causing it to thin and weaken, in addition to the rubbing and rinsing that can rip hair out of the follicle. Each shampoo washes out those scalp born nutrients that keep your hair looking full, healthy and shiny. Instead of washing your hair daily, try to only wash your hair 3 – 4x a week and never “rinse and repeat”. If your hair feels squeaky clean after a shampoo (aka – you’ve stripped it of all it’s oils), then you’ve overdone it.

6. Use a natural shampoo for men: The best hair loss shampoo for men is a natural shampoo that won’t strip your hair or scalp of needed nutrients or oils. No, they won’t lather as much as a generic drug store brand, but that’s because the ingredients needed to make a huge lather are highly toxic to the hair (despite feeling really cool). Avoid shampoos with chemicals and try to find a good shampoo for men with these natural ingredients: Aloe, Pro Vitamin B5 (or D-Panthenol), Protein and amino acids, Peppermint Oil and Tea Tree Oil

7. Avoiding towel drying your hair. This is one of the easiest hair loss solutions for men. When your hair is wet, it is highly susceptible to breaking and being pulled out of the scalp. Rubbing it vigorously with a towel does both of these things. Should you, instead, use a blow dry? No, this will dry out your hair making it dull and limp. The best solution is to lightly dry your hair with a towel and let the majority of the wetness air dry.

8. Take Care of Your Scalp: As discussed earlier, Use a hair conditioner for men. Work a men's hair conditioner into your scalp and hair strands two to three times a week. Hair conditioner is important as it will deliver nutrients to your scalp and hair. Your scalp is the root of your hair growth. Take care of the scalp in order to encourage hair growth and thickness.

9. Avoid brushing wet hair: When hair is wet, it is in its weakest state. So avoid brushing wet hair because the chances of hair loss increases. But if you must comb wet hair, use a very wide-toothed comb. Also avoid brushing hair too frequently as doing so can injure hair and increase loss. Use your fingers to undo tangles, not a comb or brush.

10. Become a Silver Fox: Coloring your hair can cause irreparable damage to your hair follices. Every time you color your hair, you’re soaking your follicles with chemicals that irritate and damage them. Very often, men start coloring their hair from a young age and realize during mid-life they need to keep coloring their hair forever as it’s been destroyed beyond repair. Don’t do that. If you do color your hair, do it as infrequently as possible and try more natural solutions.

11. Keep it Cool: Hot showers feel awesome, but strip your scalp of essential oils that help the hair mature and grow. Lower the temperature of your showers for better hair.

12. Garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice: Rub one of the juices on your scalp, leave it overnight and wash it out in the morning. Do it regularly for a week and you will see noticeable result.

13. Rub green tea into your hair : Studies have shown that rubbing green tea into hair may help curb hair loss problem. All you need to do is brew two bags of green tea in one cup of water, leave to cool and thereafter, apply it to your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly after an hour. To see results, practice this regularly for a week to ten days.

14. Reduce Alcoholic Beverages : If you are experiencing hair loss than lessen your alcohol intake because drinking alcohol reduces hair growth. So decrease or eliminate alcohol to see an increase in hair growth. 15. Avoid Smoking : Smoking cigarettes reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp and this causes a reduction in hair growth.

16. Avoid Constant heating & drying : Don't subject your hair to frequent, constant heating and drying procedures. Heat weakens hair proteins, and constant heating and drying can lead to weakness and fragility that causes hair loss.

17. Keep your head sweat free: Men with oily hair, experience dandruff during summer due to sweating and the chances of hair fall increases. Using shampoos that contains aloe vera and neem can keep the head cool and prevent from dandruff. Also, men who wear helmet experience major hair loss in summer. As the sweat accumulates in the pores and weakens hair roots causing hair loss in men. So wearing a scarf/ bandanna over your hair or a terry cloth headband can prevent hair loss.

18. Keep away from chemicals: Harsh chemicals and permanent hair colour products could be damaging for hair health. When you are experiencing hair loss, it is advised not to colour your hair.

19. Schedule appointments with doctors regularly: Make sure you see a doctor regularly for your underlying illnesses and conditions. Talk to your doctor about a supplement. There are lots of supplements on the market for hair loss prevention and regrowth, though it’s important to talk to your doctor about which brands will be safe and effective for you.

20. Manage stress: High levels of stress can result in numerous medical hair loss conditions, including telogen effluvium (a condition that essentially pushes your hair out of your head), trichotillomania (a man’s urge to pull his hair out of his scalp), and alopecia areata (where your immune system attacks the hair follicles). It is best to manage this stress by reevaluating the parts of your life that are causing this tension while implementing stress-easing techniques such as practicing deep breathing or engaging in daily exercise.

TREATMENT

Many men see hair loss as a natural part of growing older, and they do not perceive the need for treatment. However, hair loss can trigger negative psychological effects, such as low self-esteem. In some, it can contribute to depression. Some treatments are available that may help reduce hair loss.

Medication

Minoxidil

Minoxidil, or Rogaine, is a topical treatment applied to the scalp. It is available over the counter (OTC) at pharmacies, usually as a lotion or foam. It is reported to work best on the crown of the head. It may take 3 to 6 months for results to appear, and the medication must be used indefinitely to preserve effects. Adverse effects include skin problems, such as itching and irritation, hives, swelling, sensitivity, and contact dermatitis.

Shampoo treatments

Two other treatments are available for male pattern baldness, both without prescription, in the form of shampoo:

Ketoconazole 2 percent, also known as Nizoral

Pyrithione zinc 1 percent, or Head and Shoulders

These are likely to be less effective than finasteride and minoxidil.

Transplantation

Hair transplantation involves taking hair from elsewhere and grafting it onto the scalp. Hairs in the lower part of the back of the scalp are more resistant to androgens, and so they are used in surgical transplants. The hair donated to balding areas remains resistant to the male hormones.

Surgery involves taking a strip of skin from another part of the head, complete with hair, to graft it onto the bald area transplanting individual hairs, which avoids scarring

The procedures are expensive and unlikely to be covered by most insurance providers.

I've always heard that the amount of hair your child will have is based off the maternal child's grandfather which is my dad. My father has always had tons of hair and I do, too. When my son was born, he had a head full of hair and we were all so proud of that. Now that my dad is getting older and is quickly approaching age 60, his hair is starting to thin out and is something we never expected to happen so soon because his hair has always been so thick. He's beginning to be self conscious of it and is saying he will either get the spray hair to fill in any noticeable gaps or shave his completely head bald. I'm not sure how he thinks this would make him feel any better about the sudden loss of hair, but I guess it makes him feel like it will help him get used to his new reality of going bald quicker. He has always been a rip the bandaid off quickly kind of person. Its amazing how much a person's hair shows about them, but it's getting easier for my dad to get used to it when he knows he has options and realizing this is all part of growing older whether he likes it or not. 

Adam Ryan