Did you know that male pattern baldness accounts for over 95% of hair loss in men? Around 25% of men that suffer from this condition start losing their hair before the age of 21.
No matter your age, you may be experiencing male hair loss sooner than you’d like. Even though male pattern baldness is common, it is not the only reason men lose their hair.
To find an effective solution, you need to get to the bottom of the cause. For quick methods, consider the effective solutions for male hair loss in this guide.
Prescription Drugs
One of the methods for fighting male hair loss is prescription drugs. According to the FDA, there are two drugs approved to treat male pattern baldness.
Finasteride, also known as Propecia or Proscar, is a daily pill only available through a prescription from your doctor. If you are looking for over-the-counter (OTC) solutions, the second drug the FDA approved is Minoxidil.
Minoxidil, or Rogaine, is available as an OTC drug. It is not a pill, but instead a liquid foam that should be applied to the scalp twice a day to help prevent hair loss and even grow hair.
Both of these drugs don’t lead to instant results. These hair loss treatments will take around a year to kick in. If you want to maintain the benefits from these drugs, you must keep taking them.
Keep in mind that certain medications can cause hair loss. If you are currently taking any of the following, you may need to stop or change your medicine to prevent hair loss from occurring:
- Blood thinners
- Depression treating drugs
- High blood pressure medications
- Heart medications
- Gout medications
- Isotretinoin (Accutane)
If hair loss is a concern because of something you are prescribed, don’t stop taking it without the consent of your doctor. Often, other options will give you the desired results while not causing symptoms of hair loss.
In some cases, you may have to wait until you have finished your treatment. However, once the treatment is over, your hair should begin to return to normal. In the meantime, you can try realistic men’s hair pieces.
Hair Transplants
A common treatment for going bald is a hair transplant. Although there are different kinds, the two most popular are follicular unit extraction and follicular unit transplantation.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
During the FUE process, hair follicles are directly removed from the scalp and placed on the bald parts. A doctor can tell you which hair transplant treatment is right for you.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
FUT is the more traditional hair transplant method. During this process, some skin will be removed from the back of the scalp where there is enough hair.
After removing these follicles, they will be inserted on parts of the scalp where hair loss is occurring.
Both of these methods are considered surgeries so an individual may experience pain and have to pay a hefty price. As with any surgery, there are risks. The most common for a hair transplant being scarring and infections.
To reach the desired outcome of hair transplant surgery, you may have to undergo multiple treatments. This goes for both methods.
Scalp Massages
You never need a real reason to get a massage because they are just so relaxing. However, if you were looking for a reason to get a scalp massage, you should know that it can help with male hair loss.
When you start seeing hair loss signs, schedule an appointment with a massage specialist. A massage on the scalp can help stimulate hair follicles to aid in hair growth.
Better Diet
If you don’t have a well-balanced diet, you could be experiencing male hair loss as a result. A diet should consist of the following:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Whole grains
- Unsaturated fats
- Lean proteins
You should also limit your sugar intake especially if you have a sweet tooth. You will also do well by adding iron-rich foods and high-protein foods to your diet.
Fish, eggs, flax seeds, and other items rich in omega-3 fatty acids will help with hair growth as well. Last, but definitely not least, drink plenty of water each day.
Reduce Stress
Stress can cause a lot of unwanted symptoms throughout the body including hair loss. To reduce the amount of stress you have consider listening to music, doing yoga, or meditating.
If you don’t regularly exercise or get enough sleep, you could be causing your own hair loss. Ensure these steps are part of your normal routine.
Visit the Doctor
If visiting the doctor isn’t already something you’ve done to treat hair loss, now is the time to do so. Many people think they experience hair loss as a result of genetics, but that is not always the case.
The truth is that different medical conditions can cause male hair loss. If you have an underlying condition, it is best to get to the bottom of it fast before it gets worse.
These are a few of the conditions that can cause male hair loss:
- Diabetes
- Lupus
- Scalp psoriasis
- Alopecia areata
- Thyroid conditions
- Eating disorders
- Iron deficiency
- Celiac disease
- Syphilis
You should be concerned if you are experiencing hair loss along with other symptoms. A doctor can provide you with the correct treatment once they have ruled out underlying conditions.
If you do have one of the conditions, your hair loss will improve as the condition begins to improve. This is why it is essential to receive help as soon as possible.
Finding the Solution to Male Hair Loss
Finding the solution to your individual male hair loss will greatly depend on the cause of it. To begin, try the techniques in this guide. Most of these methods are easy to implement in your day-to-day life.
If you try out these solutions and don’t see any change in your hair loss, visit your doctor to get to the bottom of it. Hair loss is not always genetic and may be caused by an underlying condition.
Find your solution now with the help of this guide. For more answers on men’s health, check out the other posts on our blog.
