Hair loss in men can be caused by genetics or by the environment. Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is an inherited trait. According to Medline Plus, it affects more than half of men over the age of 50. However, stress or other autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata can also affect hair loss in men.
Hair loss can't always be prevented, but fortunately, there are some treatments and medications that can slow the process down.
Before you go out and buy specific supplements and tonics, learn which ones show promise in preventing or treating hair loss.
Here are several hair loss treatments you can talk to your doctor about.
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| Several Ways to Stimulate Men's Hair Growth |
What is hair loss in men?
It's normal to lose around 50 to 100 hairs every day. Usually, this loss is not visible because new hair grows to replace the lost hair. Hair loss and baldness occur when hair falls out too quickly, or new hair stops growing.
Depending on the cause of your hair loss, you may notice slowly thinning hair or sudden baldness. Hair loss can affect just the hair on your scalp or the rest of your body.
Causes of hair loss in men
Hair loss in men can be caused by:
- Genetics and family history: If your relative has hair loss, you are more likely to develop it. Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition in which people gradually lose their hair. This can appear as a receding hairline or a thinning patch on the crown.
- Medicinal conditions: Some medical conditions such as hormonal problems or autoimmune diseases cause hair loss. For example, thyroid problems, scalp infections, or trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) can cause thinning hair or baldness. An autoimmune condition called alopecia areata develops when the immune system attacks hair follicles resulting in bald patches.
- Medications and medical care: Hair loss is a potential side effect of some medications for conditions such as cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis.
- Stress: Chronic stress or stressful events can cause temporary thinning of hair.
Medication choice
1. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two medications to treat male pattern baldness:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine). Rogaine is available OTC as a liquid or foam. Apply to the scalp twice a day to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. Minoxidil takes 4 to 6 months to see results. Results also depend on the correct application and dosage.
- Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar). Finasteride is a pill you take every day. It is only available with a prescription from your doctor. The FDA states that generally, it takes at least 3 months of daily use to see results from the drug.
For minoxidil and finasteride, it may take up to 1 year to see results, and you will need to continue taking them to maintain the benefits.
Hair transplant
2. Hair transplant
Two of the most popular hair transplant procedures are follicular unit transplant and follicular unit extraction.
Keep in mind that both hair transplant procedures are considered surgeries, so they can be expensive and may cause some degree of discomfort.
There are also certain risks, including infection and scarring. You may need to do several hair transplant treatments to get the desired results.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
FUT is a more “classic” method. This involves removing some of the skin, usually from the back of your scalp, where there is a lot of hair. Then, a surgeon removes the follicle from the piece of skin. Finally, they re-inserted the hair follicles into the areas of the scalp that were experiencing hair loss.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
In FUE, a surgeon removes hair follicles directly from the scalp and transplants them onto the bald patches of the scalp. Direct hair implantation (DHI) is a modified version of this technique in which special tools are used to complete the procedure.
Laser treatment
3. Laser treatment
Laser treatment is thought to reduce inflammation in the follicles which prevents them from growing back for some types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata. For other types of hair loss, a 2014 review suggests that treatment from low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may promote hair growth through other mechanisms.
There is limited research to support the effectiveness of laser treatment for hair loss. But a 2016 review determined that LLLT is safe and effective when used to treat hair loss in men.
According to a 2019 review, more research on LLLT is still needed.
Lifestyle changes
4. Quit smoking
If you are a smoker, you have probably heard about all the negative effects smoking has on your lungs. But did you know that smoking can be linked to hair loss?
A 2020 study of 1,000 men found that the majority of those who smoked lost some amount of hair, compared to less than half of the participants who did not smoke.
If you smoke, quitting smoking can help reduce hair loss.
5. Massage the scalp
Not only does massage feel good, but it can also help with hair loss. Massaging the scalp stimulates the hair follicles.
In a small 2016 study, healthy Japanese men who received a 4-minute scalp massage daily for 24 weeks had thicker hair at the end of the study.
Research from 2019 has also found that scalp massage is associated with self-perceived increases in hair density.
6. Balanced diet
A balanced diet can help keep your hair in top condition. Make sure you include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats and lean proteins in your diet. Try to limit your intake of sweets.
A 2019 review related to certain vitamins and minerals found in food for healthy hair. Try adding this:
- iron-rich foods, including lean beef, nuts, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified whole grains, and eggs
- foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, flaxseeds, and walnuts
- high-protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Last but not least, make sure you drink lots of water.
7. Reducing stress
Stress can really affect your body, including your hair. Hair loss may be the result of a stressful lifestyle.
Strategies for reducing stress include:
- exercise regularly
- listening to music
- practising yoga
- meditate
- enough sleep
Alternative medicine
8. Oil
Some evidence from a 2014 mice study suggests that peppermint oil may aid hair growth. Rosemary oil has also been traditionally used to increase blood circulation to the scalp.
A 2013 reliable study found that rosemary leaf extract increased hair regrowth in mice.
Coconut oil, castor oil and olive oil are also highly recommended. But according to a 2020 review, research on its benefits for hair growth is limited.
9. Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries.
Although research is limited on saw palmetto's ability to treat hair loss, a 2020 review found that it may aid hair growth with few side effects.
10. Biotin
Biotin is a vitamin found naturally in foods, such as:
- nuts
- sweet potato
- egg
- Onion
- oats
There is some evidence that taking biotin will help slow hair loss, but most of the research has been on women who are deficient in biotin. However, there is a lack of evidence that supplementing with biotin actually has any real effect on healthy individuals.
11. Onion juice
A small 2014 study showed that using onion juice as a topical treatment resulted in significantly more regrowth than just tap water in people with patchy alopecia areata. More research is needed on people with male pattern hair loss.
12. Bhringraj
Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), also called false daisy, is a species in the sunflower family. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is known as a herb that supports hair growth.
Studies, take one from 2008 for example, have shown results that herb extracts exhibit better hair regrowth than minoxidil. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
13. Green tea
Another claimed herbal remedy for hair loss is green tea.
In an older 2005 study on mice, the polyphenolic compounds present in green tea showed promise as a natural remedy for hair loss. But there have been no studies in humans to confirm this effect.
14. Hibiscus
Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is widely marketed in India for hair growth. Older A 2003 study in mice showed a positive effect on hair follicles, but no studies have been conducted in humans.
Hair care tips
15. Be gentle with your locks
Try to be as gentle as possible when brushing or styling your hair. Constantly twisting, twisting or pulling your hair can cause hair loss.
If you are concerned about hair loss, you may want to avoid the following:
- tight hairstyles, such as pigtails, cornrows, braids, and buns
- a chemical used in perm treatments and hair straightening
- hot curling iron or straightening iron
- bleach your hair
If you use chemicals or bleach on your hair, seek help from a trained professional. Don't try to do it yourself at home.
See a doctor
16. Do an inspection
In addition to your genetics, several medical conditions can cause hair loss. You can treat hair loss by treating the underlying condition.
The following conditions can cause hair loss:
- diabetes
- lupus
- lichen planus
- sarcoidosis
- scalp psoriasis
- alopecia areata
- thyroid condition
- eating disorders, due to poor nutrition
- iron deficiency anaemia
- hair-pulling disorder, known as trichotillomania
- Celiac disease
- syphilis
If you have any of these conditions, or if you experience any other symptoms besides hair loss, make sure you talk to your doctor about the underlying condition. Your hair loss will improve as your condition improves.
17. Discuss your medication with your doctor
Certain medications can cause hair loss. Examples include:
- chemotherapy and radiation treatment
- some blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- some depression medications
- drugs used to treat high blood pressure
- some heart medications
- uric acid medicine
- isotretinoin (Accutane), acne treatment
Warning : Talk with your doctor before stopping or changing any medications you are currently taking.
How to prevent hair loss
If you start to notice thinning hair or have a family history of male pattern baldness, you may not be able to completely stop your hair loss. Still, you may be able to slow or prevent hair loss.
Try these tips to help prevent hair loss in men:
- Find ways to lower your stress level
- Take care of your overall health with a healthy diet and exercise
- Avoid hairstyles that pull and tug on your hair
- Use hair products to prevent hair loss
- Avoid smoking
- Try a scalp massage
- Talk to your health care professional to see if there are medications or medical conditions that can increase hair loss for you
How much does hair loss treatment cost?
The cost of hair loss treatment depends on which treatment you decide to try.
For example:
- Rogaine costs around $40 to $50 for a 3-month supply.
- Propecia costs around $70 for a 1 month's supply.
- Hair transplants cost from $4,000 to $15,000.
Generic drugs, as well as OTC supplements, tend to be less expensive.
When to call a doctor
Call your doctor if you:
- experiencing sudden hair loss
- think medication might be causing your hair loss
- also had a rash
- have scaly skin
Frequently asked questions about hair loss treatment for men
Which hair loss treatment is best for me?
Talk to your doctor to find out which hair loss treatment is best for you. While OTC and home remedies may work for some people, they may not work for everyone.
Does hair loss treatment work?
Some people find success with hair loss treatments, such as OTC medications, prescription medications, and home remedies. However, they don't work for everyone.
For example, Rogaine works best for people with hereditary baldness on the back of the head, just below the crown.
Hair transplants are usually more successful than OTC products. However, if you are experiencing widespread thinning or baldness, or if your hair loss is caused by chemo or drugs, it will not be as effective.
What happens if I stop hair loss treatment?
It depends on the treatment you use. If you are taking OTC or prescription drugs, such as Rogaine or Propecia, you must continue to take them indefinitely to maintain results.
How can I treat hair loss permanently?
Hair implants are usually permanent. However, you may need multiple implants depending on your goals.
Takeaway
There are several treatments you may want to try for hair loss. This includes OTC and prescription medications, hair implants, and home remedies.
Talk to your doctor first. They can help you find out the cause of your hair loss and what the best treatment options are.