Exploring the Main Causes of Male Pattern Hair Loss

Receding hair loss takes priority in personal grooming, affecting appearance, self-esteem, and confidence in men. So, it's unsurprising that alarming trends increase interest in male pattern hair loss.

According to a recent 2022 beauty poll in Singapore, 44% of participants saw hair loss as a significant issue, surpassing concerns about frizziness and dry hair. A Cleveland Clinic study further confirms this concern. It shows that almost 70% of men believe hair loss to be concerning.

It's only natural for men to be curious about the widespread phenomenon of hair health. And by understanding hair loss factors, they can pick the best hair loss treatments in Singapore.

Let's explore the main causes of hair loss in men and creative remedies to bolster your confidence.

What is Male Pattern Hair Loss?

Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss, is a massive issue for men. Shrinkage and a shorter growth cycle occur due to hormonal changes, the androgens’ effect on hair follicles, and genetic predispositions. The progressive trajectory causes hair thinning and eventual loss, usually in the scalp's front temporal and vertex portions.  

The progressive onset of hair loss varies from person to person. Some experience early signs and fast deterioration, while others will lose hair slowly over time. Male pattern baldness affects up to 50% of males, and the likelihood increases with age. Some 25% of men show first signs of hair loss before age 21, half by age 50, and approximately 25% after 50.

Is Male Pattern Alopecia a Sign of Something Serious?

Can hair loss be a sign of something serious?

Male pattern alopecia points to underlying health conditions or imbalances, making it essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis. Also, it’s crucial for men navigating self-image concerns to understand the psychological effects of hair loss.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If constant hair loss causes distress, or if hair loss occurs suddenly or in patches, seek medical attention. You'll need immediate treatment in case of a receding hairline due to alopecia. Identifying health issues is critical to a viable remedial treatment.

The psychological impact of male pattern baldness

Hair loss comes with a significant impact on self-esteem and well-being, causing anxiety, embarrassment, and depression. 

Approximately 25% of men with androgenetic alopecia find hair loss to be very distressing, while 65% report mild to moderate emotional distress.

Society's pressure to retain hair worsens these issues, affecting relationships in everyday activities. Seeking help from family and friends or professional mental health caregivers is critical for coping. Knowing how gender, age, and cultural context influence these effects is essential to providing comprehensive care.

Notwithstanding the age or cultural factors, it's essential to recognise the emotional impact of male pattern hair loss and seek compassionate support.

Identifying Patterns and Stages of Baldness

The Norwood scale, a famous classification for male pattern baldness, identifies seven stages of male pattern alopecia progression: 

• No Hair Loss: Patients in stage one have no balding except for unnoticeable hair loss near the temples.
• An M-Shaped Hairline: Men in the next stage will start noticing a receding hairline.
• A U-shaped hairline: Patients show warning signs in stage 3. Hair health professionals clinically diagnose these as 'balding'. 
• Severe Frontal Hair Loss: In stage 4, the hair on the crown will turn very sparse, patchy, or completely bald.
• Near-Total Hair Loss atop the Scalp: In stage 5, the hairline will almost come to the bald spot on the crown.
• Total Hair Loss on the Top of the Scalp: Full baldness will mark the 6th stage of the Norwood scale on the top of the scalp.
• Thinning of the Remaining Hair: This stage is most severe for hair loss in men. It leads to a thinner and more brittle state for the remaining hair.
• Norwood class A: In the class A variation, the hairline recedes evenly without leaving a patch of hair in the middle area, and there isn't a bald spot at the vertex. Instead, the hairline moves straight from front to back.

Early detection and intervention are vital to successful male hair loss treatments in Singapore and elsewhere. Doing so helps to maximise the outcomes, especially preserving hair density.

"Once hair loss begins, it doesn't stop," says Ben Friedman, M.D., a dermatologist for Henry Ford Health. "But if maintaining a full head of hair is important to you, it's important to take action as soon as you notice your hair thinning."

Identifying common causes of male pattern hair loss, like genetic predispositions, lifestyle habits, and hormonal imbalances, is critical. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for developing specific approaches to manage and reverse hair loss.

What causes hair loss in men?

Baldness is a common concern, with the average male shedding 50-100 strands of hair daily. However, hair loss becomes noticeable when new hair falls short to replace the fallen strands. 

So, what causes patches of hair loss in men?

Let's look at the common causes of hair loss that affect men's hair health and how patches of hair loss interact with genetic, medical, nutritional, and psychological aspects.

Hormonal Imbalances and male pattern hair loss

The most common causes of male pattern hair loss are hormonal imbalances, particularly those involving dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a potent androgen originating from testosterone. It links to the receptors on scalp hair follicles and miniaturises them, triggering them to shrink. DHT causes the growth of smaller, more refined hair strands and, eventually, hair loss, particularly in people with a genetic predisposition.  

DHT (male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone) carries close associations with hormonal imbalances, playing a pivotal role in consistent hair loss (male pattern baldness) on the crown and temples of the head. Genetic factors, ageing, and health issues like thyroid disorders, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), medications, and eating habits may impact hormone levels and contribute to hair loss.

Understanding the role of hormonal imbalances and DHT in hair loss proves essential for developing targeted treatments that can slow or reverse the process, boosting men's confidence.

Which vitamin and mineral deficiency causes hair loss?

Maintaining sufficient mineral and vitamin levels is critical to fostering hair health and decreasing the risk of hair loss in men.

Which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss?

Vitamin D, biotin (Vitamin B7), iron, and zinc are all essential for healthy hair.

Because vitamin D stimulates hair follicles, a lack of it can decrease hair density and loss. Similarly, while a lack of biotin is uncommon in men who consume the standard Western diet, it can result in balding and loss, emphasising the value of consuming an ample quantity of this vital nutrient. Insufficient iron is more common in women, yet it can also impact men and disrupt the hair growth cycle, resulting in more significant shedding.

Addressing these critical mineral and vitamin deficiencies via changes in diet or supplementation can assist men in maintaining healthy hair.

Stress and Hair Health

Stress harms your physical and emotional well-being, affecting your hair health. High stress levels trigger the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which hinder the hair growth cycle.

Telogen Effluvium (TE) is an enormous cause of stress. It affects hair health due to cortisol, prematurely driving hair follicles to the relaxing phase, leading to increased shedding and overall scalp thinning. Effective stress management techniques like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), a balanced diet, and a healthy scalp environment can all help reverse male pattern alopecia. 

Recognising the link between male pattern hair loss and stress is significant in effectively managing stress for their overall well-being. It's even more critical now as hair loss has increased with higher stress levels, causing hair to shed faster in the post-COVID-19 environment.

What illnesses cause hair loss?

Illnesses that cause hair loss include:

Systemic diseases and fungal infections in the scalp,

• Thyroid disorders leading to significant hair loss,
• Telogen Effluvium, a common cause of hair loss due to extended illness, serious surgery, or hormonal changes, resulting in apparent shedding without large bald spots,
• Certain medications lead to side effects like baldness. For example, drugs like lithium beta-blockers, and chemotherapy agents trigger abrupt hair loss across the entire scalp.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus, syphilis, and nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, iron, zinc, or biotin, can cause hair loss symptoms.
• Hairdressing measures or psychiatric disorders like trichotillomania cause traumatic alopecia.
• In numerous instances, habitual hair-pulling is the leading cause,
• Androgenetic alopecia, a genetic pattern of hair loss, is a prevalent hair loss condition among men. It frequently follows a male pattern due to genetic predispositions, male hormones, and ageing.

Other causes of hair loss in men include autoimmune diseases and tinea capitis, including alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss.

How Lifestyle Changes Impact Male Pattern Hair Loss?

After understanding the common causes of alopecia, we need to address another critical question.

How to prevent hair loss?

Answer: lifestyle factors!

So, let’s explore men's hair health in terms of key lifestyle factors. 

Diet and Hair Growth 

A well-balanced diet is necessary for proper hair growth since it provides the nutrients required to support hair follicles and generate keratin. Protein-rich foods will benefit your hair structure. These foods consist of lean meats, eggs, fish, and legumes. Additionally, minerals such as zinc, iron, and selenium and vitamins A, C, E, and B-complex vitamins promote scalp circulation and collagen creation. Proper hydration is also essential for avoiding scalp dryness and encouraging hair growth.

Blood Circulation and Hair Growth

Regular exercise enhances overall health and stimulates healthy hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp. Cardiovascular activities like cycling, jogging, and swimming improve oxygenation and hair follicle circulation. Exercise additionally mitigates stress, which can cause hair loss, and promotes scalp health by flushing follicles through sweating.

Environmental Factors and Hair Damage

Environmental pollutants, like particulate matter or chemicals, can damage hair follicles, disrupt the growth cycle, and cause oxidative stress, leading to dryness and breakage. Daily clarifying shampoo and hats can safeguard your hair from pollutants while preventing pattern alopecia.

Habits and Hair Loss

Healthy habits are instrumental in reducing male pattern hair loss risks. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are detrimental to hair health because they:

• Reduce blood flow to the scalp,
• Introduce toxins,
• Disrupt hormonal balance,
• and impair liver function.

So, try your best to quit alcohol and smoking. These measures will fix hair loss causes like hormonal imbalances and improve quality hair health. A healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and stress-management processes.

Implementing these habits into your routine will help you maintain healthy hair. Remember that you can treat hair loss with surgical procedures and topical medications. However, beware, as these solutions come with limitations.  

A Natural Two Herbs Solution for Male Hair Loss Treatment

Two Herbs offers 100% natural, safe, and affordable solutions. These solutions are gentle yet successful approaches to treating male pattern hair loss for fuller, thicker hair. 

Riff Lim Kian Hong, a trichologist, founded Two Herbs in 2004. Combining Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs from the Himalayas, Two Herbs promises the best hair loss treatment in Singapore. Ingredients such as Korean Red Ginseng and Amla work in unison to nourish the scalp and stimulate hair growth. 

Testimonials from happy customers and clinical studies vouch for their expertise in hair loss treatment in Singapore. As a prominent provider, they offer top-notch herbal care to improve hair health. The application is straightforward: massage the treatment into the scalp as directed for the best results. Although generally safe, minor side effects, such as scalp irritation, can pop up from time to time.  

Bid farewell to male pattern baldness and welcome confidence with the Two Herbs male hair loss treatment. Take the first step to maintaining healthier, fuller hair by accepting the potency of herbal care.

Debunking 5 Hair Loss Myths 

Alopecia is a prevalent issue, but misinformation regarding the causes of hair loss persists.

Let’s debunk some common myths.

Wearing hats causes male pattern baldness

Contrary to popular belief, wearing a hat does not cause male pattern alopecia. One study saw minimal hair loss among men who wear hats regularly. However, filthy hats can cause infections, so frequent washing is necessary. 

Women Have More Hair Than Men

Men grow more hair on average than women. While women tend to style their hair a bit longer, men's hair can grow just as long.

Does creatine cause hair loss?

Despite speculation, scientific evidence does not support the claim that creatine causes hair loss. While early studies suggested a link between hair loss and creatine, later studies failed to replicate those findings.

Haircuts

Haircuts do not affect your hair's growth rate and thickness. Whether you like long or short hair, the frequency of haircuts does not affect the development cycle in any shape or form.

Shampoo

While scalp hygiene is essential, shampoo type is unlikely to influence hair loss. Nearly all sulfate shampoos are harmless when you use them properly. Decide based on your hair type and scalp situation rather than just focusing on shampoo for hair loss.

By dispelling these myths, people can make more informed decisions on appropriate hair loss treatment in Singapore regarding their hair care and look. 

Conclusion

We dug deep into the leading causes of hair loss in men, identifying genetic predispositions and environmental factors. We also made suggestions to adopt habitual changes. Remember that early detection and treatment are vital in personal grooming. Taking proactive measures to maintain healthy hair is the best way to handle male pattern hair loss in men.

All set to take control of your hair's health? 

Two Herbs' holistic herbal hair loss treatment in Singapore allows you to benefit from the natural power of herbal care. Check out Two Herbs to learn more and begin your journey to happier and fuller hair.