Common causes of male hair loss

Male hair loss statistics are staggering, and behind the numbers there can be a lot of stress and embarrassment as you face up to changes in the way you look.

As many as 40% of men in their thirties experience hereditary hair loss. And if your hair is thinning, or you’re starting to go bald, it can feel like you’re losing a piece of your identity.

Any big changes in our physical appearance can be unsettling, and hair loss often brings with it a loss of confidence or anxiety about how you present yourself to the world.

Understanding the cause of your excessive hair loss can help you to take control of the situation and make the best choices for you, and once you understand the causes of your own hair loss better, you can make decisions about how to manage strengthening your hair, regrowth or hair loss treatments.

How much hair loss is normal?

A certain amount of hair loss is absolutely normal! The average hair loss for men is 50 and 100 hairs per day. You might notice shedding hair in the shower, or when you are brushing your hair – though in fact, if your hair is short, you may not notice it at all.

But, if your hair is maintaining its thickness thanks to new growth, there’s nothing to worry about.

What causes hair loss in men?

If you’re suddenly losing large clumps of hair, or you notice bald spots, it’s a different matter. Hair loss can be caused by everything from family genetics, to shock and underlying conditions, and so it’s worth taking the time to look into the causes of your hair loss, so you can make good decisions about your next steps.

1. Genetics: Your family history is the biggest predictor of thinning hair. Male pattern baldness means that if other men in your family have had hair loss, you are more likely to experience it as well.
2. Hormones: You can blame your hair loss on testosterone, at least in part. That’s because cells in the scalps of men who are genetically disposed to hair loss convert that essential male hormone into another hormone known as DHT. It causes male hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop growing hair. Thyroid issues can also contribute to men’s hair loss.
3. Medical conditions: Male pattern baldness has also been associated with medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, enlarged prostates, diabetes and obesity, and so it makes sense to pay close attention to your overall health when hair loss becomes a problem.
4. Medications: A variety of drugs are linked to hair loss including those used to treat arthritis, depression, high blood pressure, heart problems and, of course, cancer (though hair that is lost during cancer treatments typically returns).
5. Stressful events: If you suffer a big shock to the system, caused by emotional or physical stress, it can trigger hair thinning. So-called trigger events can include surgery or a death in the family. Often, the resulting hair loss can take weeks or months to become apparent, but it’s a sign that your whole system has experienced a great deal of stress.
6. Scalp disorders:  Ringworm (a fungal infection) and folliculitis (the inflammation of hair follicles, often caused by a bacterial infection) are among the conditions that can cause hair loss in men. Common conditions, like psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp may also lead to hair thinning.

Some studies have linked poor diet and smoking to hair loss. The science is not conclusive on those factors as potential causes, but taking action to improve your overall health is always going to make sense and won’t do any harm for your hair loss situations!

It can also make sense to try some of the innovative products that are emerging to help men with thinning hair.

Here at Manly, we have researched all the male hair loss products on the Irish market to bring together the most effective, clinically proven treatments for men’s hair loss.

Our range offers you solutions from shampoos to serums and supplements so you can make the most of the hair you have and choose the right treatments to suit you situation.