Going bald? Don't worry, so are approximately 50 million other American men. But just because pattern baldness is common, doesn't mean you have to live with hair loss! Understanding the underlying causes of hair loss and the many remedial options available at clinics like Mane Image is the first step toward fighting hair loss and reclaiming your hair.
Here are the top ten facts balding men should know!
1. You're Not Alone
Baldness is wide-spread. The American Hair Loss Association (ALHA) estimates that two-thirds of men will see thinning hair by the age of 35. Additionally, almost 90% of men will experience noticeable hair loss by the age of 50!
2. Hair Loss Can Happen at Any Age
Although the ALHA highlights certain age ranges in its analysis, hair loss can occur at any stage in your life. It's estimated that about 25% of men who experience androgenic alopecia will start to experience thinning before the age of 21. The growth of your hair is ever-changing and influenced by tons of minute factors so hair loss can be triggered at any point in your life.
3. Signs of Pattern Baldness
Not sure if you're experiencing hair loss or just paranoid? Watch for the signs! Male pattern baldness typically starts at the hairline. If you notice your hairline starting to recede, it's time to take action. The receding hairline typically takes on an "M" shape. This characteristic shape has been linked to the increased sensitivity of your follicles at the temples and crown to the hormone DHT. (More on that in a moment.)
4. Genetics
Genetics determine 80% of hair loss. You've probably heard the myth that baldness can be blamed on your mother's genes. Wrong! Though your mother's DNA has a stronger influence, both sets of genes have the potential to trigger hair loss. Take a look at your male relatives on both sides of your family and make note of who experienced baldness, to what degree, and when they began seeing thinning.
5. The Hormone Factor
Hormonal imbalance is another factor that's often linked to hair loss. Though it was long believed that high levels of testosterone were to blame, it turns out dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the real culprit. DHT is a derivative of testosterone that occurs when the hormone interacts with the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT can attach to the hair follicles, causing them to shrink and stop producing healthy hair.
6. Indicator of Health
Hair loss could signal underlying problems in your overall well-being. From poor diet, lack of sleep, and extreme stress, hair loss can be triggered by any number of external stressors as well as by hidden health problems like thyroid diseases and autoimmune diseases. In fact, baldness has been linked to a 70% increase in the risk of heart disease.
7. Ethnicity Can Be a Risk Factor
Yes, your ethnicity could be an indicator of whether you will experience hair loss. Asians, Inuits, and Native Americans are the least likely group to see hair loss. African hair is the second-most-likely group to experience hair loss while Caucasians are most likely to see thinning hair at some stage in life.
8. Your Hair Grows in Cycles
Due to the cyclical nature of your hair's growth cycle, it is likely you will likely see different periods of thickness and texture throughout your life. However, if you start to see noticeable hair loss, your growth cycle has likely been disrupted. When this happens, your follicles remain in their dormant phase for a prolonged period of time. Restarting the cycle is the key to combating hair loss.
9. Hair Loss Starts at the Follicles
Your hair is predominantly made up of a protein called keratin and is mostly dead cells. The blood vessels at the base of your follicles are in charge of growth, feeding your follicles and roots with essential nutrients. If you want to stop hair loss, start by taking a closer look at the health of your follicles.
10. Mane Image Can Help!
Hair loss is not your future! Hair loss solutions like those offered at Mane Image are scientifically and technologically advanced, providing proven ways to jumpstart healthy hair growth. From surgical hair restorations to laser hair growth therapy and trichology, we have all the tools you need to turn your back on hair loss and reclaim your hair. If you would like to learn more, please contact us! We can't wait to help you get started with a free consultation.
