What Causes Hair Loss in Men

Hair loss can feel like an unexpected and frustrating change. One that affects not only your appearance but often self-esteem. While losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is perfectly normal, for some, this shedding escalates into visible thinning or bald patches that don’t reverse on their own. From medication and medical conditions to stress and lifestyle choices, the reasons behind hair loss are as diverse as the people who experience it. The good news?

While not every cause is preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or slow the process. In this guide, we explore the most common causes of hair loss, who is most at risk, and what you can do to help protect your hair for the long term. Now we’ve put that disclaimer out there, let’s look at what causes hair loss and some of the ways you can keep it at bay.

Why might you be losing your hair?

On average, a person loses around 50 – 100 strands of hair a day and this gets replaced pretty much immediately. Hair loss is characterised by hair that doesn’t grow back once it falls out. Here are a few reasons you might be suffering from hair loss:

Certain medications: there are certain drugs with particular side effects that will lead to hair loss in some people. These commonly include antidepressants, chemotherapy and blood pressure tablets.

Alopecia: Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that can result in unpredictable hair loss – it’s generally characterised by patches, though in severe cases across the whole body can fall out and not grow back. Though the condition can affect men (and women) of any age, most cases occur before the age of 30.

Radiation: radiation therapy can result in irreversible hair damage, in some cases.

Who is most susceptible to hair loss?

There are factors that make you more likely to suffer from hair loss:

• If you’re entering your senior years
• Weight loss in a short period of time
• Genetics
• Medical conditions such as lupus
• Malnutrition
• Suffering from chronic stress

Is there anything I can do to lessen my chances of suffering hair loss?

There are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of suffering from hair loss:

• Be gentle when handling your hair. Those with very thin hair also tend to have hair that’s susceptible to hair loss through brushing and using curling irons and straighteners.
• Quit smoking. Research has shown there is a link to smoking where hair loss is concerned.
• Speak to your doctor about the side effects of any medication you are taking or are about to start taking.
• Wear a hat to protect your hair from UV light.

Baldness and Covid-19

A recent study found that bald men were far more likely to end up with serious Covid-19 symptoms. It is believed that androgens (male sex hormones such as testosterone), may play a part in hair loss and in increasing the ability of the virus to attack cells.

Unfortunately, if genetics is the cause of your hair loss, it’s unlikely you will be able to take preventative measure to keep the problem at bay. If you’re feeling low in confidence or self-esteem, there are some amazing charities out there who can lend an ear to listen. The NHS website also has a wealth of information if you need hair loss-related questions answered.