Hair loss is experienced by both men and women, but this is more commonly associated with men. Male pattern baldness is said to have no known cure and can only be reduced or managed with some OTC treatment.
The causes of male pattern baldness can be pointed to ageing and heredity, but there are also some other causes such as hair treatments, hormonal changes, and also health conditions that can trigger the onset of MPB.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness – Environmental and Genetic Factors
An average person would normally shed around 100 hair strands a day. This isn’t seen as a threat at this point because new hair would also be simultaneously growing and replacing the lost hair. Nevertheless, the danger of hair loss is apparent when the hair growth cycle is disrupted at some points or when there is damage to hair follicles.
Heredity
It’s not just assets that you inherit from your family as male pattern baldness can also be rooted in your family tree. This would usually go in tandem with ageing and start off as bald spots or receding hairline in men.
Hormones
Your hormones can be blamed for hair loss or male pattern baldness. Different hormonal changes and fluctuations associated with stress or having medical conditions such as thyroid problems can cause a number of hair and scalp conditions such as trichotillomania, alopecia areata, and male pattern baldness; to name some.
Medications
There are certain medications or drug treatments that can trigger side effects such as hair loss. These are drugs that are commonly used for treating depression, gout, hypertension, heart ailments, arthritis, diabetes, gout, and cancer.
Radiation or Chemotherapy Treatment
Hair loss is one of the side effects of undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Sadly, normal hair growth may not be achieved after treatment.
Stress
Exposure to extremely stressful events can trigger hair loss or male pattern baldness. However, hair loss following stressful circumstances is only temporary.
Hair Treatments
Hair colour, perms, or hot oil treatments may cause hair loss. Also, certain hairstyles that require pulling your hair tight may cause traction alopecia. Inflammation of the hair follicles can result in scarring which could render permanent hair loss or male pattern baldness.
Weight Loss
Whether you are attempting to trim down excess pounds or have a medical illness that causes weight loss, then hair loss is absolutely normal. The loss of essential nutrients in the body due to a considerable amount of weight loss can lead to male pattern baldness.
At this point, if you have a high risk of having male pattern baldness, then you should do the following:
- Avoid excessive hairstyling
- Use gentle hair treatments
- Shied your hair from ultraviolet light
- Use a wide-toothed comb to avoid scarring or pulling your hair out
- Stop dangerous vices like smoking
While there is still no known cure for male pattern baldness, there is a way to get around this condition. Prevention is albeit better than cure. Overall, having a healthy and active lifestyle will help you toughen your defences against hair loss.