Hair loss is not inevitable for men, but the fact is at least half of all men will begin to experience thinning hair by the time they reach middle age. In 90 percent of cases, this is caused by genetic male pattern baldness (MPB), and there is no cure. However, there are effective treatments that are backed by science.
For example, Propecia (which is cheaper to buy as finasteride) is a clinically proven oral medication that works by suppressing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone responsible for damaging the hair follicles on the scalp. It’s most effective when taken at the first signs of thinning hair.
Finasteride works very well for the majority of men, but for the best results, some small lifestyle changes can support the treatment. As May 12-18 is Mental Health Awareness Week, it is a good opportunity to take a look at how stress, sleep, and overall mental wellbeing impact hair health.
How stress impacts hair loss
Severe stress can literally drive some people to tear their hair out, but stress-related hair loss is primarily hormone driven. When the body is chronically stressed, it pushes the hair follicles into a prolonged resting phase, known as telogen effluvium. This can precipitate existing hair loss and slow the regrowth of new hair, so thinning becomes more acute.
Stress also disrupts hormonal balance, which may interfere with how well treatments such as finasteride work. Practising some stress management techniques can help, such as meditation, regular exercise, reduced caffeine and alcohol intake, or making the effort to connect socially or explore talking therapies.
How sleep impacts hair health
The hours we spend asleep are used by the body to repair and regenerate, and that includes the hair follicles. It’s recommended that adults should aim for around seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Any less than this, or poor quality broken sleep patterns, can increase stress hormones and inflammation, which may hinder hair follicle repair and regrowth.
If you are in the habit of stinting on your sleep, or you experience regular bouts of insomnia, take some steps to improve your sleep patterns. Set and regular bed time and rising time, and stick to it even at the weekends. Start winding down 60 minutes before bed time with a quiet activity, avoiding energetic exercise, alcohol, caffeine or heavy meals.
How starting a conversation can help hair loss anxiety
One of the aims of Mental Health Awareness Week is to normalise conversations about issues such as self-esteem, anxiety, and body image. Women are much more used to sharing their feelings on such topics, perhaps because the pressure to look youthful and attractive has traditionally been focused on them.
However, the impact of hair loss on men’s mental health can be underestimated. Our hair plays a big role in our sense of identity, and going prematurely thin on top can make men feel self-conscious about their appearance and worry that they look older than they actually are. This can lead to anxiety about dating or social and professional interactions.
Unmanaged anxiety can spiral into other issues such as depression, low-self esteem or social withdrawal. Social media can further exacerbate these problems, because it encourages constant comparison, and often fuels unrealistic expectations about image.
Men often suffer in silence, for fear that concern about their appearance might appear weak or make them the butt of jokes and banter. However, caring about your appearance isn’t a sign of weakness or vanity; it’s a sign of self-respect and nothing to feel ashamed and embarrassed about.
Talking openly about the way you are feeling can help to ease feelings of stress and anxiety, help you gain perspective, and it may help to improve the results of your hair loss treatment.
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