Name: Scott
Question: Hello there, I do not know of a single member of my family on either side who is bald. However I am 23 and my hairline has rapidly started thinning and receding and when I wash my hair I am noticing a lot more hair coming out. What could it be and what are my options? Thanks
Answer: Hi Scott. The pattern of your
hair loss as you describe it here suggests that this is androgenetic alopecia, or 'male pattern baldness'.
It is possible for your parents to carry the 'balding gene' yet show no signs of hair loss if this gene is dormant. In some people who inherit it,
male pattern baldness can become active, which may account for this disparity between your hair and the rest of your family's.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the onset of male hair loss, including
stress - emotional or physical, an underlying illness, problems with imbalances in the
diet. Habits such as
smoking or regularly exceeding the recommended
alcohol unit intake (something which is surprisingly easy to do) can also contribute to accelerating the rate of existing hair thinning or bringing about the onset of male pattern baldness in those who have the relevant genetic predisposition.
It is thought that more people are experiencing hairloss, and from an earlier age, than previous generations due to today's societal pressures and certain habits associated with modern living - for example, people's diets are
sweeter than ever, thanks in part to hidden sugars, and this has been shown to contribute to
thinning hair.
In terms of options for regrowing a
receding hairline or thinning hair, there are two clinically-proven treatments approved for the treatment of male hair loss. One is a daily oral tablet designed to inhibit
DHT and the other is a
topical solution designed to encourage localised hair growth which has been shown to be particularly effective when dealing with stubborn areas such as the hairline. These MHRA licensed and FDA approved medications can be used individually or in tandem to form the basis of a treatment course for male pattern baldness, which can be further supplemented with additional
hair growth supporting products, if desired.
Having a personal consultation with a specialist is the most effective way to determine the cause of your thinning and receding. They will also be able to recommend appropriate
hair loss treatments based around their findings, and answer any queries you may have about these options.