Hair Loss in Men
Although some men aren’t troubled by hair loss, for others it can cause emotional distress, low self-esteem and, in some cases, depression. It can be particularly hard for younger men to deal with.
There are a number of different causes and types of hair loss and some of them may be permanent. However, seeking early treatment can help to encourage regrowth after temporary hair loss or limit permanent hair loss.
In addition to a thorough physical scalp examination, Dr Fenton carries out extensive pathology tests to investigate various underlying causative conditions, prior to prescribing a treatment plan.
Different types of hair loss and causes:
Telogen effluvium; this condition causes generalised shedding and thinning of hair and is due to the normal hair growth cycle being interrupted. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and, potentially, the hair can grow back once the cause has been treated or the precipitating factor recovered.
Androgenetic alopecia; the most common cause of hair loss in men, thought to affect up to 95% of men with thinning hair, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. It’s called male-pattern baldness because it tends to follow a pattern; firstly, a receding hairline, followed by thinning on the crown and temples. When the two areas meet in the middle it leaves the top of the head totally bald.
It can be inherited and it can start to affect men as early as their teens and twenties, although age is a major factor with most men over sixty showing some hair thinning.
Alopecia areata; this condition can affect any hair-bearing site, but frequently involves the scalp. It may occur at any age and affects both males and females. It often causes patchy loss of scalp hair, but may progress to complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis) and may spread to involve all the hair on face, body and limbs (alopecia universalis). Alopecia areata may recovery spontaneously but there are a number of treatments that can encourage regrowth.
Scarring hair loss; also known as scarring alopecia or cicatricial alopecia, this refers to a number of hair loss disorders that fortunately are less common as they cause permanent and usually irreversible damage to the hair follicle which is then replaced with scar tissue.
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between scarring alopecia and alopecia areata and Dr David Fenton may arrange for a scalp biopsy if necessary to diagnose the problem.