We all know that hair loss is not uncommon. It affects a lot of people, although men suffer from it more than women. In fact, statistics show that 60% to 85% of all men will experience hair loss before they turn 60! Why does this happen though? Unfortunately, there are no simple rules to help determine who is at risk for hair loss. However, scientists have discovered some factors that can help determine whether or not you will lose your hair.
Genetics plays a huge role in hair loss. About 95% of men who are losing their hair can attribute it to male pattern baldness, which stems from the genes you inherited from your parents. Even if you’re not familiar with male pattern baldness, you’ve definitely seen its effects—the receding hairline or “widow’s peak” and, in later stages, the “horseshoe” of hair that leaves the crown of the head bare while covering the back and sides of the head. Male pattern baldness can begin at any time, even in the early teens. Unfortunately, the sooner you begin to experience male pattern baldness, the more hair you’ll lose.
Why does this happen? The most commonly accepted theory states that a person’s hair follicles are affected by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, called DHT for short. This hormone can cause the normal cycle of your hair follicles to shorten. Thick, healthy hair falls out, and hair that is finer, thinner, and shorter takes that place only to fall out and be replaced with hair that is even finer and thinner. Conventional beliefs are that your mother’s side of the family is most responsible for this, but in reality, both parents’ genes will determine whether a man suffers from hair loss.
If you are a man whose hair loss does not match male pattern baldness, that may be a sign that you need to see the doctor. If your hair starts to fall out in clumps or if you have patchy hair loss, call your doctor immediately. These can be an indication of a serious illness or medical condition such as iron deficiency in your blood, thyroid problems, or even radiation poisoning. Other symptoms to watch out for include scarring or flaking in the area of your scalp where your hair has fallen out.
If you are looking for a solution for your hair loss or you want to find out if hair replacement surgery in Toronto is for you, contact the Toronto Hair Transplant Clinic at 647-351-0061.
