Hair loss in men often shakes one’s own understanding of masculinity. Bald spots are therefore tried to be concealed and one wonders where the hair loss is coming from. We will show you the causes of hair loss in men and what treatment options are available.
More and more hair is accumulating in the sink or comb and you are starting to panic? Do not worry! We lose 50 to 100 hairs every day. There are also phases in which we naturally lose more hair. This is usually not a cause for concern.
Table of Contents
When do you start talking about hair loss?
Individual hairs fall out every day in the shower or when combing. But when should hair loss start to give us cause for concern? “From a medical point of view, hair loss is when a person loses more than 50 to 100 hairs a day . If there is a suspicion that more hair is falling out than normal during the day, a doctor should definitely be consulted to clarify the underlying cause of the hair loss,” says Dr. Murat Dağdelen , specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery and founder and medical director of DiaMonD Aesthetics in Düsseldorf. In an interview, he explained to us what the unpopular topic of “hair loss” is all about and how it can be counteracted.
If you lose more than 100 hairs per day, you cannot grow back enough to compensate for the loss. From then on one actually speaks of hair loss. There is not just one type of hair loss in men, but several, each with different causes.
What types of hair loss are there in men?
About 30 percent of all men over the age of 30 are affected by hair loss. From the age of 50 it is even 50 percent. By the age of 80 at the latest, 80 percent of all men will experience some form of hair loss.
Hereditary hair loss
Hereditary hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common . “Approximately a third of all men between the ages of 25 and 40 are affected. However, the high level of hair loss can also occur in men from the age of 16 and is noticeable through the increasing development of a receding hairline,” says Dr. Murat Dadelen. Genetics are responsible for 95 percent of all male pattern baldness cases. The male sex hormone testosterone is to blame . Affected men have high levels of a certain form of testosterone (dihydrotestosterone or DHT) that promotes hair loss.
Other types of hair loss
However, non-hereditary factors can also play a significant role in the development of hair loss. This is mostly diffuse hair loss , an even loss of hair on all parts of the head. Lifestyle, including diet, stress in everyday life or the intake of medication can have a negative effect on the head of hair. Certain diseases, organ malfunctions or therapies can also cause increased hair loss.
Causes of hair loss in men
Hair loss in men is usually genetic, but there are a number of possible causes:
- Genetics
Androgenetic alopecia is caused by increased testosterone levels. The typical receding hairline is the result. - Alopezia Areata
Within weeks or months, this disease leads to severe, mostly circular hair loss of up to 30 percent of the main hair. - Nutrient deficiencies
The minerals iron and zinc as well as the vitamins H, B12 and folic acid are particularly relevant. If they are missing, temporary or even permanent hair loss can be the result: “ Short-term crash diets or eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia) lead to an increased lack of iron, zinc, biotin and protein in the body, which has negative effects on the body hair growth,” says Dr. Murat Dadelen - Disturbed thyroid function
The thyroid affects not only our metabolism. In the case of a hormonal imbalance, it can also be to blame for hair loss: “In many of those affected, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland is the trigger for unwanted hair loss, which can make the hair thinner, duller and weaker overall,” says Dr. Dadelen. - Stress
- chemotherapy
- Autoimmune diseases
Disorders of the immune system can also be responsible for hair loss, although the exact mechanisms are still unknown: “If round, bald spots form in different areas of the head or eyebrows, this is circular hair loss . An exact cause is not known to this day, it is very likely that this is due to the disruption of the immune system,” says Dr. Dadelen.
Also interesting: 5 habits that cause hair loss >>
Treatment options for male hair loss
Before any treatment, the cause of the hair loss must always be clarified. For an appropriate diagnosis, you should go to the dermatologist. There are now even special hair consultations for those affected. Depending on the cause, a suitable treatment will be discussed there. There are the following ways to combat hair loss in men:
- PRP lifting or “vampire lifting”
When hair loss is just beginning and not very advanced, there are “special treatments that stimulate hair growth and can counteract the risk of baldness. In the fight against hair loss, the “vampire lifting” (or PRP lifting) can be mentioned. The procedure involves an endogenous anti-aging agent in the form of a high-quality serum without additives. When injected into the scalp, the high-quality serum stimulates hair growth,” says Dr. Dadelen. - Medications and tinctures , such as minoxidil or sandalwood
These are not effective for everyone and should only be taken or used in consultation with a dermatologist . - Cortisone
injections Cortisone injections into the scalp can help with autoimmune diseases and scalp inflammation. - Change in diet and, if necessary, dietary supplements
However, a doctor should have diagnosed the nutrient deficiency with a blood test in order to avoid taking tablets unnecessarily! - Hair transplantation
In the case of severe or advanced hair loss, a hair transplantation is often the only solution. This can be done with your own hair, but unfortunately does not help with inflammatory diseases of the scalp.
