First, I want to say this: Im glad youre here. Hair loss is something that most guys will experience in their lives, and if more of us talked about it instead of joking about it, maybe wed all have better information. According to the American Hair Loss Association, two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of appreciable hair loss, with 85 percent of men significantly thinning by the age of 50. About 25 percent of men who experience hair loss begin the process before they reach the age of 21. In other words, this is a nearly universal experiencewhich makes the stigma surrounding hair loss all the more confusing.

Odds are, if youre reading this, you are quite literally already balding or thinningeven if you dont think you can see it. But dont panic! First, its possible to look great bald. But secondly, theres a lot you can do.

There are so many triggers that can create balding, so its important to have a clear understanding of what actually impacts the process, says Palm Beach trichologist Bridgette Hill. (A trichologist is a hair and scalp specialist who is not a doctor.) There is no reason that balding has to be a reality in the 21st century.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, lets start at the root of hair loss.

What causes balding?

Balding is primarily genetic. But contrary to all those fun factoids youve heard about it being your mothers father (or was it your fathers mother?) who caused your current situation, there's no strict rule to determine who is going to lose it.

What science can confirm is that the exact trigger for male-pattern hair loss is a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, otherwise known as DHT. This comes from testosterone thats naturally in your body, but if you have male-pattern hair loss, what youve inherited is a sensitivity to DHT in your hair follicles, says Dr. Alan Bauman, a full-time, board-certified hair restoration physician. Basically, he explains, this sensitivity to DHT causes a miniaturization of the hair follicle, which leads to the overall weakening of hair growth. This manifests itself as that all-too-common receding hairline and thinning in the crown of your head (the bald spot).

But trichologists and doctors alike also assume that, beyond genetics, lifestyle factors also contribute to hair loss. Something men dont really talk about is emotional health and wellbeing, but thats a trigger, Hill says. So is your dieta lot of times, men have high-protein diets without lots of greens or folic acids, which are essential in making hair follicles and protein. Dr. Bauman also adds that poor sleep, some medications, and smoking may worsen things, too.

Another interesting cause of balding may very well be in your protein shake. When Dr. Bauman assesses a patients risk factors, he looks for the typical things: inflammation of the scalp, sleep schedule, diet, and mental health. Now, he also asks about a patients intake of excess testosterone, which could come from supplements. Ive been doing this for 25 years and have treated about 30,000 patients, he says. We noticed a common thread of hair loss among guys in their 20s or younger who are in their workout regimen, taking bodybuilding supplements. Some clinical research has shown that creatine supplementation, for example, increases the level of DHT in the bloodstreamwhich means it can exacerbate hair loss in anyone with a genetic sensitivity.

It all starts with the scalp.

Theres also the mechanical element of hair loss, which really lies in how we take care of our scalp. If you want to ensure that you hold onto the hair you have for as long as possible, you have to start getting just as serious with your head as you are about your face. Look at it this way: Your face shows signs of aging through wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging. Your scalp shows signs of aging through thinning and balding.

Continue reading here:
How to Prevent Hair Lossand When to Give Up - GQ

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