5 Early Warning Signs That You Might Be Losing Your Hair
Studies have found that all men will experience some amount of hair loss in their lifetime. The extent to which you lose your hair mostly depends on your genetics, but you should expect some degree of hair loss, whether it’s gradual thinning or total baldness.
For men, the most common type of hair loss stems from a condition called male-pattern baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia). Male-pattern baldness typically begins with a receding hairline and a bald spot at the crown of the head. By the time they’re 50, half of all men will experience some degree of male-pattern baldness. By age 70, that figure rises to more than 80%.
If you want to prevent or reverse male-pattern baldness, you need to be aware of the early warning signs so that you can act quickly and minimise permanent hair loss. Whether it’s a receding hairline or hair loss at the crown of your head, there are a number of specific indications that you may be experiencing the early signs of male-pattern baldness.
In this article, we will reveal five of the most common signs that you might be losing your hair. Get familiar with these signals so you can take a proactive approach to fighting hair loss.
You’re noticing that your hairline is receding
Often, men notice that their hairline is receding before they take note of other hair loss signs. Male-pattern baldness typically begins around the temples, where it will first begin to thin. Eventually, hair in this area may entirely fall out and leave you with a horseshoe-shaped hairline on your head.
If you see your hair fall out in this type of pattern, you are likely experiencing the early stages of male-pattern baldness. At this stage, it’s vital to keep an eye on your hairline and seek professional help if you’d like to prevent further hair loss.
You’re losing hair around the crown of your head
The crown of your head is another place where you’re likely to notice the early signs of male-pattern baldness. Unfortunately, since you can’t see the top of your head without the help of a mirror or photos, it can be challenging to pick up on changes that happen back there.
If you’re starting to suspect that you’re losing hair up top, take a couple of pictures of the back of your head as soon as you can. As time passes, you can compare the photos to point out hair loss. Just make sure that you take the pictures in the same location each time when your hair is dry. This ensures that the surroundings in your photo will remain consistent and you’ll be able to identify changes in your hair.
You’re experiencing excessive hair loss
There’s no need to panic immediately if you notice that your hair is coming off on your pillow or onto your clothing because some degree of hair loss is normal for everyone. In fact, an average person loses about 100 hairs per day.
However, there may be cause for concern if you are noticing excessive hair loss on a regular basis. Pay particular attention to how much hair you lose in the shower or while combing your hair after bathing, as that could indicate a more serious problem.
Your hair is thinner overall
If you have started to notice that your hair is thinning, don’t automatically assume that you’re going to lose all of your hair. Thinning hair is a normal occurrence within men (and women) during the ageing process, but it should raise some alarms if it doesn’t seem to stop.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to notice if your hair is thinning, since it can occur gradually. To determine whether your hair is thinning, experts recommend looking at photos of yourself over the years to compare how your hair appears and whether it’s lost fullness. When examining the photos, pay special attention to your hairline and the crown of your head (if possible).
Your scalp is itchy or flaky
You may have heard that dandruff can cause hair loss, but this isn’t entirely true. Dandruff isn’t a health condition, but rather a symptom of another diagnosis. Dandruff causes your scalp to itch and flake, which can lead you to scratch it and cause damage to your hair follicles – ultimately leading to hair breakage and loss.
But by itself, neither an itchy scalp nor dandruff causes hair loss. However, if you’re experiencing dandruff as well as hair loss, it may be a sign that you have another condition, such as scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or a fungal infection. In these cases, it is worth consulting a dermatologist, who can assess the condition of your scalp and recommend a course of action.
What steps should you take if you notice these signs?
For many men, hair loss is difficult to accept, even though it’s incredibly common. This is particularly true if the hair loss begins at an early age. Some people even experience anxiety, depression and other mental health issues as a result of male-pattern baldness.
If you’re coping with any negative thoughts associated with hair loss, you may find it helpful to seek counselling from a mental health professional. If you’re interested in exploring treatment options for male-pattern baldness, you can consult your GP or reach out to a clinic that specialises in men’s health issues.\
Men’s Health Direct is an online medical clinic that helps men understand and treat specific health issues, including hair loss, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. We aim to provide men with answers to their most sensitive health concerns confidentially and professionally.
At Men’s Health Direct, our team of licensed doctors create personalised hair loss treatment plans for each of our patients, while carefully monitoring their progress to ensure a great outcome. All of our products are available by prescription only, and our treatment plans comply with all relevant government regulations.
If you’re interested in learning how Men’s Health Direct can help you, get in touch with our team today by visiting our website.
