The Early Signs of Baldness and Ways to Fix it

We all lose hair throughout our lives. Finding hairs in your combs, shower drains, or on pillows and clothes is common. According to the British Academy of Dermatology Association, losing 50 to 100 hairs daily is entirely normal. The problem arises when this number increases exponentially.

Unfortunately, hair loss is quite a common problem in men and women. According to one study, about 50% of men and women become victims of pattern hair loss as they reach 50 years of age (Rogers, 2008). This hair loss can be caused by several reasons, including hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, physical damage, and a few medical conditions and treatments.

One fortunate thing about balding is that it does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process that can take years to take place. Early detection of hair loss signs is crucial for starting treatment at an appropriate time and preventing it from causing irreversible damage.

Noticing these signs might not be as easy as you think. But there are a few signs that can give you an early indication of hair loss and help you seek help in the beginning.

Following are the few early signs that can help you identify your hair loss problem:

A Receding Hair Line

A receding hairline is considered one of the earliest and easy to notice signs of male pattern baldness. You can notice that more of your scalp is becoming visible or your forehead is getting bigger. A receding hairline can occur in the form of V or M, and the hair loss usually starts at the temples. Contrary to the widely held belief, a receding hairline can happen at an early age, and some people can have a prominent receding hairline as they turn thirty.

As this is a gradual change, it is hard to notice on a daily basis. If you suspect you are losing more hair or your hairline is receding, the best way to know for sure is to compare yourself with your old photographs.

The photographs you are comparing must be taken in similar conditions. For example, standing under a direct light can make your hair loss thinner than they actually are.

If you suspect you are going bald, taking your photographs after every 2 or 3 months is an excellent way of finding out if your suspicion is right or not.

Thinning Hair

Another way you can go bald is by losing hair density over time. Hair thinning can start from your temples or the vertex of your head. It is considerably more difficult to notice hair loss at the crown of your head. Once again, taking pictures over the gap of a couple of months is the best way to know if you are losing hair volume.

Thinning hair can also make your part go wider, which is easier to notice. In females, a thinning ponytail can give them a clue of pattern baldness.

One crucial thing about thinning hair is that it does not always result in baldness. Sometimes you can face hair loss due to other factors like emotional or physical stress, underlying medical condition, or nutritional deficiency. It is vital that you consult your healthcare provider to diagnose the exact reason for your hair loss to start appropriate treatment.

Noticeably more hairs in Your Brush or Shower Drain

As mentioned above, finding hairs in your brush after combing or in your shower drain after you take a shower is a regular thing. But if you notice that the number of loose hairs is increasing more than usual, it could signify male pattern baldness.

But before you panic, it is vital to know that this increase in hair fall can be due to a temporary condition. For example, taking oral contraceptive pills can cause temporary hair loss in females (Burke, 1989). Your increased hair loss can be caused by a systemic disease, infection, hormone imbalance, or a toxin agent.

If you lose hair in chunks or a sudden patch of hair loss appears, it can also be an early indication of baldness.

Ways to Prevent Baldness

Treatment of male pattern baldness depends on the early diagnosis of the condition. Many effective hair loss treatments are now available that can prevent hair loss and even reverse it in a few cases.

Minoxidil is an effective, safe, and widely accepted treatment of androgenetic alopecia (Cranwell, 2016). Minoxidil is an over-the-counter solution or foam that is NHS-approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. It can improve the blood flow to the hair follicles and their health.

Finasteride is another popular and effective treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Oral Finasteride can prevent hair loss as well as promote hair growth. It works by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase is the enzyme that helps convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the main culprit behind androgenetic alopecia. Many studies have shown that Finasteride significantly improves hair growth in men suffering from male pattern baldness (McClellan, 1999).

The difference Minoxidil and Finasteride is that Finasteride actively halts the hair loss process, while Minoxidil ‘only’ strengthens the hair follicles by increasing localised bloodflow.

Conclusion

Male pattern baldness can take a toll on one's mental health, especially in modern times where youthfulness is admired. Male pattern baldness is a prevalent condition that affects a significant number of men, especially those who have a genetic predisposition.

The only way to effectively tackle the hair loss problem is to start the treatment as soon as possible. Finasteride and Minoxidil are your best options for dealing with male pattern baldness.