I'm Losing My Hair at 18, What Should I Do?

Name: Muhammad Thasleem

Question: I’m 18 years old mam. I started losing my hair from my 17th so mam can u suggest me the healthy food and what all requirements should I do?

Answer: Hi, Muhammad. Whilst we can give you general advice concerning the type of nutrition you should be aiming for to maintain your hair's health and natural vitality, this is unlikely to deal with your hair loss.

If you are losing hair from all over your head this is likely to be a temporary condition such as Diffuse Thinning. This may, in some cases, be assisted by following a balanced, healthy diet as it can be triggered by dietary deficiencies.

This is not particularly common in men, however, so we suspect the thinning is more likely to be affecting areas around the top of your scalp and/or hairline; this indicates Male Pattern Baldness which is the most common reason for hair loss in men, worldwide, and can signs start to emerge any time following puberty.

Ideally we would need to know more about your shedding in order to provide you with a personalised diagnosis of your hair loss condition and the resulting information on how to treat it. The best thing to do is to have a specialist assess you - either in person or online - so that the advice can be tailored to your precise needs. For now though, we will assume that you are experiencing pattern hair loss in order to give you some guidance.

It is important to understand that whilst your dietary intake can improve the condition of your hair, it cannot improve a genetic hair loss condition - this is where clinically-proven treatments come in.

There are two MHRA and FDA approved treatment options for male pattern hair loss and both are available to suitable men aged 18 and over. These help to inhibit the DHT which induces gradual thinning and, in some cases eventual baldness, in those affected by this inherited condition, and promote accelerated hair growth. These pharmaceutical treatments can be used individually or together and may also be supplemented with hair growth supporting products. A specialist will be able to recommend the most appropriate hair loss solutions on a case-by-case basis, tailored to the needs of each individual.

It is worth noting that there are influential lifestyle factors which are believed to worsen thinning hair. These include smoking, stress and having a poor diet. You can find out more about the vitamins and minerals you need in your diet to support your hair in the stories listed below, but generally it is sensible to just ensuring you follow a healthy, well-balanced diet and keep well hydrated. It is also possible to take a highly-targeted daily food supplement, such as Hair Vitalics, if desired.