Hair Loss in Men: How to Counteract the Signs of Aging Hair

Is your hair making you look older than you actually are or feel? Sure, it’s expected that as men get older their hair will begin to turn grey and become a little thinner. But just because it’s expected doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Taking steps to slow down the many telltale signs of aging hair (i.e., receding hairline, changes in hair color and thickness) is easier than you might think.

Going Gray: Blame it on the lack of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives us our beautiful hair color. It’s produced by our hair follicles. Starting in our 30s (for most men) our hair follicles make less melanin. The result,the gray hairs you’ve probably noticed spouting around your temples. The age and speed at which your hair turns gray is determined by your genes. Caucasians tend to go gray earlier in life while Asians tend to hold onto their hair color for longer. Thinning Hair: Your hair consists of many strands of protein. Each strand has an average life cycle of two to six years before it falls out and is replaced by a new hair. As we age the rate of hair growth slows, the strands become smaller and there is less pigment. That once thick, coarse head of hair you had in your youth gradually becomes thinner, finer and lighter in color. Approximately 85% of men will experience hair loss, thinning and/or balding hair before they turn 50 years old. According to the American Hair Loss Association, some men will begin to losing their hair before they even turn 21. Low Testosterone: Women aren’t the only ones who experience hormonal changes as they age, men do too. Lowing levels in testosterone can impact the ability of your hair follicles to regenerate. This is caused by a derivative of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shortens the growth cycle of your hair and lengthens the resting cycle causing your hair to grow less and less each time.

The earlier you treat the signs of aging hair, the more options there are available to you. For early signs of thinning hair, talk to your medical provider, dermatologist specializing in hair loss or a hair loss specialist. You might be surprised by the number of hair loss treatments available for men. Medication: Minoxidil is a low dose over-the-counter medicine that has been shown to reverse hair loss. The prescription strength version has demonstrated tangible results in about 50% of male users. Note that it can take up to six months to see results. Maintaining those results will require continued use of the medication. Hair Care: To make hair appear fuller try using hair care products designed to add volume to thinning hair. A styling gel is a great way to make thinning hair look fuller. Just remember that with hair products, a little bit goes a long way. Start with a dime sized amount and add more or less as needed. Laser Treatment: Low laser therapy is used to stimulate hair growth by driving blood to hair follicles. This option is available in dermatologist and doctor offices who specialize in hair loss as well as at many hair-loss centers. Quit Smoking: While smoking cigarettes may not cause hair loss, several studies have shown that smoking increases how fast male-pattern baldness spreads. To learn more about hair loss, regrowth treatment and product options or to consult with a Capillus specialist in your area click here or call Capillus for more information at (786) 888 6249 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 272-9599.