Hereditary hair loss can be recognized by the familiar pattern of thinning inlets and crown. In these areas, the hair becomes thinner and thinner, until almost only hair grows on the sides and back of the head. The name says it all. Your genetic predisposition determines to a large extent whether you will have to deal with this hair loss and to what extent. The age at which it begins, the speed at which it develops and the final stage is strongly genetically determined. A strong indication that you are genetically burdened with hair loss is if your maternal grandfather went bald early.
Table of content:
- How does hereditary hair loss occur?
- What can you do against male hereditary hair loss?
- The right treatment: when do you need to start?
Hereditary hair loss is common among men. 20% of people in their twenties experience hair loss. The percentage increases with age. Half of those in their fifties have hair loss. Finally, 70% of men have to deal with it. So you are certainly not the only one. But that doesn't make it any less annoying.
How does hereditary hair loss occur?
Fortunately, much scientific research has been done on the biological processes that cause hereditary hair loss. Androgen receptors play the main role here.
Your genetic predisposition determines how many androgen receptors you have on your hair follicles. The hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, attaches to these receptors. DHT damages the hair follicles.
The attachment of DHT gives a hair follicle a shorter growth phase and reduces the shaft of the hair follicle. Eventually, the hair follicle shrivels to the point that it produces only a tiny (invisible to the eye) vellus hair.
Only the hairs on top of your head can have these receptors. As a result, you can get bald inlets and crown, while the hair on the side and back of your head remains unaffected.
What can you do against male hereditary hair loss?
Hair loss in men is often seen as insurmountable. This is unjustified. Acceptance and the razor are not your only options.
In fact, there is not only a lot of scientific research on how this hair loss occurs, but also on how these processes can be stopped. And how hair growth can be improved. As a result, there are good treatments available today.
DHT inhibition
The hormone DHT is thus the main culprit. This hormone is formed, under the influence of an enzyme 5-alpha reductase, from the male hormone testosterone. This process takes place in the hair root follicle of the scalp.
The conversion of testosterone to DHT can be reduced. The drug Finasteride, for example, does this. It has therefore become a well-known hair growth drug. Unfortunately, there are also major drawbacks to the drug Finasteride. Fortunately, there are also natural plant extracts that achieve a similar result without side effects. Well-known extracts are Saw Palmetto, Beta-sitosterol, Ecklonia Cava, Isoflavones and Polyphenols.
Stimulate growth processes
For example, a classic hair growth drug, Minoxidil, does this. It improves the blood flow to the hair follicle, which means that the hair follicles receive more oxygen and building materials. This causes more hair follicles to go into the growth phase for a longer period of time, resulting in more and thicker hair. The disadvantage of Minoxidil can be that people experience side effects such as headaches or skin irritation.
Meanwhile, updated versions of Minoxidil have been developed, such as Neoxyl and Nanoxidil. The lotions with these ingredients often have a broader effect and produce virtually no side effects. In addition, they are also more pleasant for the scalp because no nasty solvents are used.
Building substances
Several essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins are necessary for healthy hair growth. Although a deficiency is not the cause of hereditary hair loss, hair growth is already struggling in hereditary hair loss. By getting enough building substances, you give your hair a strong basis to grow optimally.
The amino acids L-carnitine, L-cysteine and taurine the human body itself can not produce and must therefore come through the diet. These amino acids improve hair growth by improving the transport of nutrients to the hair root and increasing energy production. Selenium, Zinc, Folic Acid and Biotin are also necessary for maintaining healthy and strong hair.
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The right treatment: when do you need to start?
It is important to start a hair loss treatment as soon as you see that the hair on your inlets or crown is thinning. Because when hair loss becomes visible, 50-70% of the hair is already gone. If you are quick to react, then retaining the existing hair will be easier than when the hair loss has been going on for longer. In addition, regrowth will be faster and easier for some than for others. So starting early is really advisable.
What products are there?
Hereditary hair loss in men can be treated through different types of products. The main ones are shampoo, lotion, nutritional supplement and laser therapy. If the hair loss has become more severe, the combination of several products is needed for visible results.
- Shampoos and conditioners against hair loss are a good basic treatment for beginning hair loss.
- Lotions with different active ingredients completely soak into the scalp where hair thinning occurs.
- Nutritional supplements work from the inside, stimulating growth processes and inhibiting the process of hereditary hair loss.
- Laser therapy is approved by the US FDA as an effective treatment for hair loss. Red laser light stimulates the energy balance in the hair follicles.
What can you expect?
Having the right expectations is important. A realistic time frame to evaluate the initial effect of a hair loss treatment is 3 to 6 months.
The treatment activates more and more hair follicles that are in the resting phase, so that new hairs begin to grow again. Hair only grows something like 1.25 centimeters per month. You will then initially notice that your hair loss is reduced. But in the meantime, new hairs are also growing. But these must have gained some length to stand out in your hair. The full effect often doesn't show itself until after 12 months. The "regrowth" of hair is generally more difficult to achieve than combating hair loss and thinning hair.
Beginning hair loss
Recognizable by:
In beginning hair loss, the thinning of the hair is visible only upon careful inspection. Because it is only when more than half of the hair is gone that hair thinning begins to be noticed. The hair at the inlets and / or crown grows less strong and long. Better hair growth, healthier hair and/or combating hair loss is desired.
Moderate hair loss
Recognizable by:
It is important not to let hair loss continue undisturbed. Preventing hair loss is easier than letting lost hairs regrow. Want to go for maximum results and regrowth? Then check out the treatment for "advanced hair loss".
Advanced hair loss
Recognizable by:
- Hair loss is clearly visible
- Hair loss is increasing rapidly and/or has been going on for a long time
Camouflage
Suitable for:
- Thinning hair
- Exposed scalp
