Hair loss in men is linked to various factors such as internal or systemic disease, a poor diet, thyroid deficiency, certain medications, radiation therapy for cancer treatment, etc. Hair loss can be classified into different kinds depending on whether it is patchy or localized in nature, or whether it occurs in small patches or the entire scalp. Patchy hair loss in men is usually caused by conditions such as alopecia areata, traction alopecia, trichotillomania, fungal infection and androgenetic alopecia.
Alopecia areata is a commonly experienced condition that usually starts as a small circle of total baldness. These patches usually grow back within 3-6 months even if you don’t seek treatment. However, the hair that grows back could sometimes be white in colour. Another variant of alopecia areata produces about 2-3 bald patches. These patches usually grow back only to be replaced by others. The most prevalent form is alopecia totalis which is characterized by a totally bald scalp.
Men (and women) who wear tight ponytails that pull at the hair roots are likely to get traction alopecia. Trichotillomania is characterized by the habit of pulling or twisting hair, sometimes without being aware of it. Hair loss due to trichotillomania results in broken hair. Fungal infection of the scalp largely affects children and is characterized by bald spots and broken hair.
Male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is usually caused by a genetic predisposition to it and the effects of hormones on your hair follicles. Testosterone - the male sex hormone - is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) due to the action of an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. High levels of DHT have an adverse effect on your hair follicles. Producing its effects on a hormone receptor present in the hair follicles, DHT slows down the production of hair and prevents further hair growth. This process slowly makes you go completely bald.
Alopecia areata is a commonly experienced condition that usually starts as a small circle of total baldness. These patches usually grow back within 3-6 months even if you don’t seek treatment. However, the hair that grows back could sometimes be white in colour. Another variant of alopecia areata produces about 2-3 bald patches. These patches usually grow back only to be replaced by others. The most prevalent form is alopecia totalis which is characterized by a totally bald scalp.
Men (and women) who wear tight ponytails that pull at the hair roots are likely to get traction alopecia. Trichotillomania is characterized by the habit of pulling or twisting hair, sometimes without being aware of it. Hair loss due to trichotillomania results in broken hair. Fungal infection of the scalp largely affects children and is characterized by bald spots and broken hair.
Male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is usually caused by a genetic predisposition to it and the effects of hormones on your hair follicles. Testosterone - the male sex hormone - is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) due to the action of an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. High levels of DHT have an adverse effect on your hair follicles. Producing its effects on a hormone receptor present in the hair follicles, DHT slows down the production of hair and prevents further hair growth. This process slowly makes you go completely bald.
