In older times, baldness was merely considered an issue faced by men in their late 30s, 40s, and beyond. Today, many young men, some even younger than 25, are realizing that their tresses are thinning or disappearing entirely. This crowds the question: Is baldness common among younger men?
The short answer is that there are numerous modern lifestyle triggers combined with biological factors that contribute to this problem, and a hair specialist in Prayagraj can help you combat the situation. Let us examine the various factors.
Factors Resulting in Baldness
1. Alopecia: The Body Attacking Itself
One of the main drivers of sudden bald patches in young males is alopecia. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system fights the hair follicle, and you lose hair.
It may present itself as:
- Round bald patches on the scalp
- Partial baldness in areas
- Bald spots in areas such as eyebrows, under the beard, or body hair
Alopecia can be unpredictable. In many cases, as with treatments such as steroids, you may be able to stimulate hair growth. However, due to triggers of illness, stress, or lifestyle, the hair may just fall out again. Autoimmune triggers such as lupus or dermatomyositis can also affect hair. Not all young males with hair loss have alopecia, but it has been diagnosed far more often and should be considered as part of the overall average contribution.
2. Dietary Aspects and Nutritional Deficiencies
These are the categories of things your hair depends upon for its health. While being a vegetarian or a vegan can be a healthy lifestyle with many benefits, an improper diet will deprive oneself of zinc, iron, vitamin D, and many other nutrients that are all vital for keeping the hair in good condition and strong.
Even some young men who do not consider themselves vegans may have sugar, processed foods, and diet sodas. At least in many cases, once the lack of proper nutrition is spotted, the hair is the first to show it.
Nutritionists advise the consumption of the following foodstuffs for healthy hair:
- Eggs, spinach, and fatty fish (provide protein and omega-3s)
- Nuts and seeds ( provide vitamin E and healthy fat )
- Berries and sweet potatoes ( antioxidants that protect hair follicles )
- Soybeans (may help to prolong the growth or anagen phase of hair)
In short, hair health begins in the kitchen.
3. Hormones and Genetics: Male Pattern Baldness
Though there are a lot of reasons for hair loss, one of the most well-known is male pattern baldness, which is hormonally driven and genetically inherited. Male pattern baldness happens when there is a resultant supraphysiological level of dihydrotestosterone-a, a derivative of testosterone that acts in shrinking hair follicles and shortening the natural hair growth cycle.
Male pattern baldness generally starts with either a receding hairline or thinning hair appearing on the top of the head (the crown). Although it commonly runs in families, environmental and lifestyle factors can accelerate the beginning of hair loss in younger men today. Fortunately, there are several treatment options, including:
- Orally administered medications that block dihydrotestosterone, or DHT
- Topical agents such as medicated foams or oils
- Non-surgical systems for hair replacement
While these methods may not present a fast solution, they can delay hair loss or thicken existing hair.
4. Stress and Modern Lifestyles
Stress is nothing new for the younger generation of men today. Research has shown that the younger generations currently report far greater levels of stress than those of older generations. Stress can push the hair cycle out of phase, causing more hair to shed than otherwise would have.
Several factors that contribute to baldness in young men relate to stress:
- Living the university lifestyle while studying for exams – Keeping late nights and constant pressure is a burden.
- Loneliness and/or social isolation – Emotional strain is magnified and present, and can aggravate hair fall.
- Extreme exercise routines – Overtraining can subject the body to a considerable amount of physical stress.
- Unhealthy hair treatment – Frequent and aggressive treatment of the hair, including bleaching, dyeing, and styling, can damage the hair follicle itself.
Final Thoughts
Young males today have more choices than ever in terms of diet, stress reduction, and even medical treatments available to them to slow down or even reverse hair loss. For those who choose this route, however, the world has never been more accepting of different styles and looks. If you are currently suffering from hair loss, all you have to do is get in touch with a hair specialist in Prayagraj. They will assess your situation and suggest customized solutions accordingly.
