The human body is a weird and wonderful thing. Sometimes it causes us issues that we feel a little embarrassed about. Whilst any medical condition is nothing to be ashamed of, we understand that it can be daunting to seek advice about a problem that's causing you embarrassment. With that in mind, we thought we'd use our blog to explore some of the most common issues that patients have difficulty speaking about. First up, we take a look at the issue of male hair loss.
How do I know if I'm losing more hair than is considered "normal"?
On average, most people will lose anywhere between 40-120 hairs a day; this is part of a healthy regrowth cycle. However, if you're noticing more hair loss than normal or that your hairline is starting to recede at the front, you're probably experiencing the early signs of hair loss. If you're taking any medication or under unusual stress, this could be the reason behind your hair loss. Although, 95% of the time, it's a sign of male pattern baldness.
What's male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. It's caused by genetic predisposition and hormones.
What signs to look out for?
Generally, you'll start to notice that the hair on the crown of your head is starting to thin or that your hairline is starting to recede. More often than not, your hair will follow a similar pattern to that of your family members.
What causes hair loss?
Male pattern baldness effects over half of men over the age of 50, and it's likely to effect all men at some point in their lives. It's often genetic but it can be caused by severe stress, illness, hormone imbalance or even a side effect to medicines. Hair loss occurs when the hormone testosterone is converted into DHT, causing the hair follicles to shrink and subsequently forcing hair production to slow down or stop altogether.
How can I treat hair loss?
If you think your hair is starting to thin at the top of the scalp or that you're hairline is starting to recede, you may be able to use Regaine to promote hair growth.
How does Regaine work?
Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Regaine, reinvigorates the shrunken hair follicles and leads to thicker hair. It works by increasing the blood flow to the hair follicles and increasing the follicular size and hair shaft diameter. This stimulates and prolongs the hair growth cycle. It has been shown to help prevent further hair loss in 4 out of 5 men and help stimulate regrowth for a thicker, fuller head of hair.
If you want to talk to someone about hair loss, get in touch with our pharmacist today to see how we can help.