By the age of 50, around 85% of men will have faced some form of thinning hair. However, for many men, the signs can start earlier – around 25% of men who have hereditary male pattern baldness will start showing signs by the time they are 21. However, both men and women can experience hair loss, particularly as they age.
For those who wish to treat their hair loss, it can be important to spot the early signs. Most hair loss treatments work best at keeping the hair you currently have; the earlier you start treatment, the better able you will be to treat it.
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Early Signs of Hair Loss
The classic signs of hair loss are mostly related to androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss), though we will touch on other types of hair loss as well.
Androgenetic alopecia (also known as androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness) is caused by your body converting testosterone into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This process is vital for various functions, including prostate health and body hair growth; however, it also causes the hair follicles on your head to shrink by restricting their blood flow. In turn, this leads to the follicles slowing production of hair, before being unable to produce hair at all and dying off.
Other forms of hair loss can be caused by many different factors, from poor nutrition and stress to medication side effects and even the hairstyles you wear.
Receding Hairline
The most common symptom, most men will see some of their hairline receding as they age. In most cases, hair loss here begins at the temples and moves backward, forming a distinctive “M” shape. While this can be a normal consequence of ageing, seeing it earlier can be a sign of oncoming hair loss.
Widening Part
You may also notice the parting of your hair getting wider over time. This can have multiple causes, including over-styling and stress, but the most common cause is the thinning of the hair. This can be an indicator of female pattern hair loss.
Thinning of the Hair on the Top of the Head
As above, this can be a common enough consequence of ageing, but spotting it early can help you treat hair loss. Note that you naturally shed hair; on average, you will lose between 50-100 hairs each day, as your follicles let go of older hairs and grow new ones in their place.
In some cases, thinning on the top of the head may be caused by telogen effluvium, a form of hair loss caused by severe stress or changes to your body. It can also be caused by certain hairstyles, which are tight enough to pull on the hair in the follicles (leading to traction alopecia).
Hair Thinning All Over
In male pattern baldness, the hair loss is normally focused on a few key areas around the hairline and the crown; generalised thinning is more likely the result of another issue of medical condition, such as poor nutrition or damage.
Clumps of Hair Falling Out
Male pattern hair loss tends to be a more gradual process; as hair follicles slow production and die off in small groups, you will notice your hair thinning. Sudden hair loss or clumps of hair falling out leading to bald patches or bald spots point towards another cause, such as alopecia areata (caused by your own immune system attacking the hair follicles or by high levels of stress) or infections of the scalp.
These forms of hair loss can be treated by removing the underlying cause, and can be either temporary or permanent.
Losing Body Hair
Similar to the above, male pattern hair loss normally does not cover the loss of body hair. This is most likely due to another condition, such as alopecia areata or an infection of the affected area. If you experience the loss of body hair, particularly in large patches, speak to your doctor.
Not Early Signs of Hair Loss
While there are many signs that you may be facing hair loss, there are some normal factors which can be misinterpreted.
Dandruff and Scalp Problems
Many people will face dandruff at some point. While some scalp infections can slow hair growth and lead to some hair loss, these are often reversible with treatment.
Widow’s Peak
A widow’s peak is a naturally-occurring variation in your hairline. The distinct V-shaped hairline does not make you any more likely to experience hair loss; it is simply caused by the fields of your hair line being misaligned during development.
Split Ends or Dry Hair
Split ends happen when the tips of your hair become frayed, caused by hair being dry or broken. While it may be a sign to get a haircut, or invest in better conditioner, it is not a sign of potential hair loss.
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Conclusion
As with many other conditions, hair loss can affect different people in different ways. Some men will face all of the above early signs, while some will not.
If you are concerned about your hair, or feel that you may be showing some signs of hair loss, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Simple Online Pharmacy also provides a selection of hair loss treatment options, including Propecia (and generic finasteride), Avodart (and generic dutasteride), and oral minoxidil.
