If you're a male and you're noticing that you can see your scalp through your hair, you may be feeling confused and frustrated. There are a number of possible reasons for this, including male pattern baldness, alopecia, and a deficiency in nutrients.
It's important to identify the underlying cause of your hair loss so that you can determine the best course of action. There are a number of natural methods you can try to help regrow hair and improve the appearance of a visible scalp, including massaging your scalp to increase blood flow, incorporating more protein-rich foods into your diet, and using natural oils like coconut oil or olive oil.
Remember, if you're concerned about "I can see my scalp through my hair male!", it's important to seek out professional advice to determine the underlying cause and the best way to address it.
Summary
A variety of internal and external factors are responsible for causing female hair loss and male pattern hair loss. These factors are potentially reversible such as nutrient deficiencies, physiologic stresses, and endocrine disturbances.
Different forms of hair loss include traction alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, anagen effluvium, and trichotillomania. Hair loss disorders can be treated both by pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic modalities.
What's a normal hair growth cycle?
In order to understand what's going on, first we need to understand how hair grows and falls.
The normal human hair growth cycle is composed of three major stages that include anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. These phases are characterized by varying durations, hair morphology, and hair physiology. Each of these three hair growth cycle phases is described below.
Anagen (Growth) Phase
Anagen or growth phase of the human hair growth cycle lasts for approximately two to six years. The duration is determined by the type of hair and is proportional to the length of hair. therefore, scalp hair is known for having a longer anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. At any given time, approximately 85-90% of the total existing hair is in the anagen phase.
In the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, both melanocytes and hair follicle cells undergo rapid proliferation and demonstrate greater metabolic activity as compared to other stages of the hair growth cycle. Melanocytes synthesize greater quantities of melanin pigment. As the cells divide the dermal papilla of the hair follicle thickens further. The extracellular matrix also expands and the hair shaft increases in length.
Catagen (Transitional) Phase
Catagen or transitional phase of the hair growth cycle highlights the process of follicular regression during this phase. The proliferation of both hair follicle cells and melanocytes ceases resulting in reduced synthesis of melanin. As the cell division halts, the hair follicles regress towards the surface of the scalp that will eventually fall off in the following phases of the hair growth cycle.
During this stage, the root bulb shrinks around the hair roots and gives rise to a club-like structure. Therefore, hair during this phase is commonly referred to as club hair. The root bulb is not the hair follicle but the keratin proteins that form the structure of the hair strands. The total duration of the catagen phase is approximately 2-3 weeks after which the hair follicles progress to the telogen phase of the hair cycle.
Telogen (Resting) Phase
The telogen or resting phase is the last stage of the normal hair growth cycle, after which the hair follicles enter into a new hair growth cycle. The hair follicle becomes dormant and there is no sign of the proliferation of melanocytes and hair follicular cells. However, the hair strands remain attached to the dormant follicles. The duration of the telogen phase is variable, however, scalp hair resides in the telogen phase for almost a year.
At any given time, approximately 10-15% of the total body hair is present in this phase. Hair may be shed during this phase either by the growth of underlying anagen hair or due to hair manipulation activities such as washing or brushing of hair.
The exogen phase is an extension of the telogen phase of the hair cycle. During the exogen phase, the hair shaft and hair follicle are completely separated and you experience hair fall off the scalp.
What are some common causes of hair loss?
Let's jump right into the potential reasons.
Hair loss is a common occurrence in both children and adults, however, older adults tend to suffer from hair loss, thinning hair, or alopecia more frequently than other age groups.
This condition of thinner hair not only affects the social well-being of an individual but also has significant negative consequences on psychological health.
Following are some of the most common causes of hair loss:
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia is the most prevalent form of hair loss in both male and female populations, however, men are predominantly affected by this disorder. Many individuals have a genetic susceptibility to androgenetic alopecia and may also have a family history of this disorder.
In men, hair loss occurs at the vertex and frontal regions of the scalp while hair at the temporal and occipital regions may become thinner as the person grows older. On the contrary, frontal scalp hair is usually spared in females and they tend to experience diffuse thinning hair, particularly in the lateral regions of the scalp. Thyroid disorders, malnutrition, and iron deficiency anemia may also mimic androgenic alopecia and can lead to problems like hair shedding.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is characterized by immune-mediated destruction of the hair follicles. This acute form of hair loss manifests as patchy hair loss. In other words, you'll see a bald patch or a bald spot on your head. The diagnosis of alopecia areata is usually made clinically.
The three different patterns of hair loss in alopecia areata are as follows.
- Patchy alopecia is characterized by circumscribed patterns of hair loss.
- Alopecia totalis is characterized by total loss of scalp hair.
- Alopecia universalis is characterized by total loss of body hair.
Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis is referred to as a dermatophyte infection of the scalp. The most common pathogen responsible for tinea capitis is Trichophyton tonsurans. Transmission of this fungal infection occurs via direct contact or shedding of the fungal particles by the asymptomatic carriers. Clinical manifestations of tinea capitis include patchy alopecia that may involve the entire scalp, pruritis, and adenopathy.
Telogen Effluvium
This is a non-scarring and non-inflammatory form of alopecia characterized by the rapid progression of excessive hair follicles into the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. This hair eventually falls off a few months after the onset of the stressful event.
Triggering factors of telogen effluvium include systemic chronic conditions, surgery, birth control, pregnancy, menopause and childbirth. Malnutrition, endocrine disorders, and febrile conditions.
Certain medications also serve as triggering factors for telogen effluvium. These medications include antithyroid drugs, anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, retinoids, and beta-blockers.
Patients suffering from telogen effluvium are often asymptomatic. The clinical features of telogen effluvium include uniform crown hair thinning, excessive balding while brushing or washing, erythema, inflammation, scaling, and altered distribution of the thin or thinning hair. Telogen effluvium is only temporary hair loss. It's a self-limiting disorder and resolves a certain time after the elimination of the triggering factor.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a behavioral disorder characterized by conscious or unconscious pulling, twisting, and/or twirling of one's hair. The mean age of onset of this disorder is approximately 13 years. The classic clinical presentation of trichotillomania is frontoparietal patches of alopecia with uneven hair. Complications of this disorder include skin damage, infections, and permanent scarring of the scalp.
Trichorrhexis Nodosa
This condition is characterized by loss of hair secondary to trauma or due to abnormal morphology and increased fragility of the hair. Traumatic events may include heat application, trichotillomania, excessive brushing, tight hairstyles, excessive scratching of the scalp, harsh hair treatments, and excessive contact of hair with salt water. Trichorrhexis nodosa primarily involves the proximal hair shaft.
Genetic causes of fragile hair and trichorrhexis nodosa include Menkes disease, keratinization defects, argininosuccinic aciduria, trichorrhexis invaginata, and intussusception of the hair fiber. Hypothyroidism may also cause trichorrhexis nodosa.
Anagen Effluvium
This condition is referred to as excessive hair loss during the anagen phase of the hair cycle owing to the impaired metabolism of the hair follicle. Anagen effluvium is significantly associated with chemotherapeutic medications. Other toxins and inflammatory conditions may also give rise to anagen effluvium. This condition is reversible upon withdrawal of the offending agent and rarely progresses to permanent alopecia.
The psychological impacts of hair loss
Although alopecia may not have a significant negative impact on the physical health of an individual, it may lead to some serious psychological consequences. Alopecia is a psychologically deteriorating event in an individual's life. People suffering from hair loss and receding hairline may experience higher levels of depression and anxiety (DermNetNZ).
Psychological effects of alopecia result in work-related, social, and personal problems in an individual's life. Alopecia patients suffer from greater psychological distress and may even question their identity at some point. These patients also develop social phobias and paranoid disorders. Personal and social psychological consequences of alopecia include poorer body image, quality of life, and self-esteem.
Pharmacologic hair loss treatments
Pharmacologic treatments of hair loss include finasteride and minoxidil. Both the pharmacologic formulations are approved by the FDA.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil was initially developed as an anti-hypertensive medication and then later developed as a topical formulation for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Minoxidil promotes vasodilation by stimulating potassium channels. This facilitates enhanced cellular proliferation and cellular DNA synthesis.
Hair follicles contain sulfotransferase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of minoxidil into minoxidil sulfate. Minoxidil sulfate is responsible for the therapeutic effects of minoxidil. Minoxidil sulfate shortens the telogen phase and promotes the progression of hair follicles into the anagen phase of the hair cycle. Minoxidil stimulates the activity of beta-catenin which leads to increased follicle proliferation and differentiation.
Read this: Minoxidil For Women: Will It Regrow Your Hair?
Finasteride
Finasteride is widely used for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and benign prostate hyperplasia. Finasteride suppresses the activity of types II and III 5-alpha reductase, thus, reducing both serum and localized levels of dihydrotestosterone. Increased levels of DHT in androgenetic alopecia patients disrupt the normal growth cycle and promote excessive hair thinning.
Read this: Get Topical Finasteride in UK: Where and How?
Non-pharmacologic hair growth and hair loss treatments
Non-pharmacologic solutions for hair growth include the following:
Diet
A healthy diet plays a crucial role in the growth and maintenance of your thin hair. An adequate and persistent supply of vitamins and minerals is important for the normal progression of the hair growth cycle.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies not only elicit hair loss but may also exacerbate pre-existing conditions that include androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium.
Vitamin D and other minerals play a crucial role in male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss treatment. Vitamin D supplementation is known for the improvement of hair growth in individuals suffering from androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium.
Iron, zinc, vitamin B12, niacin, folate, and selenium also play a crucial role in the treatment of hair loss disorders such as female pattern baldness and male pattern hair loss.
These micronutrients are important for the normal hair growth cycle at both cellular and molecular levels. These vitamins and minerals regulate the turnover of cells and matrix in the rapidly proliferating hair follicular cells.
The addition of sufficient and high-quality macronutrients in a diet, such as proteins, also aids in the sufficient absorption of these micronutrients and helps maintain healthy hair follicles. For instance, vitamin C and amino acids promote iron absorption.
Therefore, dietary supplementation is crucial for the management and treatment of hair loss diseases. When hair thinning and loss are the result of a nutritional shortage, nutritional therapy can significantly boost growth. Treatment for telogen effluvium is reported to involve supplementing with L-cysteine and thiamine.
Herbal treatment
Herbal solutions are also useful for the treatment of hair loss disorders. These are effective alternatives if you want to avoid the adverse effects of medical treatments.
Herbal preparations may comprise of ginger, Chinese red ginseng, saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed oil, turmeric and ashwagandha.
Hair transplant
Surgical treatment of hair loss includes hair transplantation. The two most prevalent techniques of hair transplantation are follicular unit extension (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT).
See Hair Transplant Before And After: How Will I Look Post-Surgery?
FUT involves the cutting of skin from the posterior region of the scalp. Before this, donor site hair is trimmed up to 2 mm. Hair follicles from this strip are re-inserted into the bald areas of the scalp. Noticeable results appear a few months after the surgical procedure.
FUE is a relatively longer hair transplant procedure in which hair follicles are removed from the scalp and then re-inserted into the skin. This procedure does not involve cutting skin before the procedure.
There have also been developement in hair transplant technology with stem cell hair transplant and other hair transplant alternatives.
In both procedures, you might be prescribed minoxidil after hair transplant to boost results.
Hair products
Some products like hair growth serums and hair growth oils are capable of combating thinning hair by fostering healthier cells for healthy hair and thick hair. You'd want to choose products that are highly reviewed, have trustworthy scientific evidence, and most importantly, are safe to use.
Cosmetic treatments
Hair extensions and scalp micropigmentation are beneficial in cases where it's a permanent medical condition and/or hereditary hair loss.
What can you do?
Follow these 3C's to encourage hair growth and hide your scalp:
Calm
Stress causes hair loss to worsens. That's the last thing you'd want to happen.
Consider
Consider what your options are - do you want to do it at home, with surgery or with drugs.
If you do consider at home solutions, we recommend you to do your research and pick solutions that are safe and effective.
Our Hair Growth Routine are exactly that. We use naturally-derived ingredients combined vigorous testing and researching to give you a solution that's GUARANTEED to work. That's it, no gimmicks.
Consult
We always advise you to consult with a health practitioner who can assess your situation and give you accurate medical advices.
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