Male pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss among men. According to the American Hair Loss Association, two-thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss by age 35, and by age 50, 85% of men will have significantly thinning hair. Perhaps more startling is that about 25% of men will suffer from male pattern hair loss before age 21. These numbers are concerning, and for men who are struggling with hair loss, it can feel downright defeating. To make sense of these high numbers, numerous myths are circulating as to why most men suffer from hair loss. Here are the 4 most common current myths related to hair loss in men.
Myth #1: “My Maternal Grandfather Had a Full Head of Hair, so I’m in the Clear.”
Regrettably, this statement has not been proven to be true. One of the most common myths surrounding male pattern hair loss is that it is passed down through their mother’s side of the family. But, we are all made up of 50% of the genetic material from our mothers, and 50% comes from our fathers. So, placing the blame on your maternal genetics is not entirely accurate.
Male pattern hair loss, also called androgenic alopecia, comes down to a sensitivity to 5-alpha reductase, which is an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. People are born with this sensitivity, so it is not something that you can fully prevent. A sensitivity to DHT causes your hair follicles to shrink, leaving you with thin, fine hair. Sometimes, it can lead to complete balding.
Myth #2: “Hair Loss Only Affects Older Men, so I Am in the Clear for a While.”
Again, this, too, is false. As we saw above, male pattern hair loss affects about 25% of men by age 21. This statistic can be terrifying, as that means hair loss can even start when men are in their teens. Indeed, 19 is usually the age when young men will begin to notice changes in their hair.
Although you cannot prevent your body from being overly sensitive to 5-alpha reductase, you can take action early on to help keep your hair healthy and thick with the proper hair care regimen.
Myth #3: “My Vegan Diet Caused Me to Lose My Hair.”
Some parts of this statement may indeed be true. However, there is not a specific diet that is the cause of hair loss. You can actually have diet-induced hair loss from any diet that is deficient in key vitamins and minerals.
People often target veganism for hair loss because the diet may restrict foods that are high in iron and protein like red meat. However, there are many plant-based sources that can help people get the nutrients they need to support healthy hair. Indeed, the best foods for growing thick hair are all plant-based, including leafy greens, lentils, dark chocolate, sweet potatoes, and carrots. What is more, it is almost more common to see nutrient deficiencies in people who do not follow a diet because people who do follow a strict diet like veganism are more aware of their nutrient intake.
Diet does play a key role in your hair health. No matter if you are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or you follow no restrictions, you need to make sure you eat a well-balanced diet that is rich in all of your essential nutrients, including:
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Folate
- Protein, and
- Vitamins A, C, and D.
Myth #4: “My Baseball Cap Is Causing Hair Loss.”
There is no evidence to support blaming your hair loss on your ball cap. This myth likely originated because men who are already losing their hair often cover up their losses by frequently wearing a hat. Yet, the myth survives because people think it may prevent their hair follicles from getting enough oxygen. The only reason this may be the case is if your hat is too tight and it is restricting blood flow or causing too much tension on your hair follicles. However, this likely is not the case as most people will not tolerate a hat that is too tight to restrict blood flow.
Instead of wearing a baseball cap to hide your losses, tap into hair growth products that will actually improve your hair loss rather than conceal it.
Our Best Tips for Preventing Hair Loss in Men
The way we style and wear our hair is an integral part of our self-expression and boosts our confidence tremendously. What is more, the hair also protects the scalp from harmful UVB exposure, so it is vital to keep your hair as thick and healthy as possible. Here are some of the best tips from dermatologists who specialize in hair loss.
Start prevention as early as possible.
Early action is essential if you want to stay on top of hair loss. Don’t fall for the myth that it only affects older men. Even men in their teens should keep an eye out for changes to their hairline or the thickness of their hair.
Eat a nutrient-dense diet.
Much of the Standard American Diet is deficient in essential vitamins and minerals. This may be due to changing soil composition from over-farming of certain lands, but it also is from high processing practices and poor dietary choices. No matter what diet you subscribe to, make sure you are getting plenty of vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
Take a hair support supplement.
Certain nutrients are hard to get through diet, such as biotin. Additionally, there are also unique compounds and extracts (including alfalfa extract) that show evidence for stimulating hair growth. Being consistent with a hair growth supplement can help you attack hair loss from the inside out.
Use hair growth products.
Products that contain Nanoxidil 5% are the most effective solution reversing the effects of hair loss. Nanoxidil is made with the highest innovative technology in the industry to penetrate deep within the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Products like Spectral.DNC-N provides noticeable results in 95% of people that used it consistently. Along with hair growth topical, use a shampoo and conditioner from the Revita product line to help support hair growth with each wash.
If you are suffering from hair loss and are not sure where to being, chat with a product advisor at DS Laboratories to get on the right regimen for you.