Why Am I Losing My Hair At 40 as a Male
Why am I losing my hair at 40 male? If this question is on your mind then we have listed out the sudden hair fall reasons in males and also presented solutions on how to reverse male pattern baldness.
You may have heard people say, “I suddenly started noticing thinning hair when I reached my 40s or 50s.
In fact, there are causes of thinning hair that are unique to this age group. In particular, hormonal imbalance, physical deterioration, and lifestyle disorder have a lot to do with it.
If it is a genetic factor, the only way is to go to a hospital, but improving lifestyle habits and regulating the scalp environment is effective for all people concerned about thinning hair.
In this article I’ve provided a detailed explanation of the causes of thinning hair in people in their 40s and 50s and ways to prevent it.
What is thinning hair in the 40s and 50s?
In their 40s and 50s, thinning hair often progresses to the point where it becomes clearly visible to those around them.
There are three main types of thinning hair: the “M-shape,” in which thinning hair progresses from the shaved area; the “O-shape,” in which thinning hair on the top of the head is worrisome; and the “U-shape,” in which the entire forehead is noticeably receding.
Why Am I Losing My Hair At 40 Male
Disruption of the hair cycle
It is not only men who begin to worry about thinning hair in their 40s and 50s. Women in their 40s and 50s may also experience a disruption of the hair cycle and begin to worry about thinning hair.
The hair cycle is the cycle of hair growth and shedding. The cycle is divided into three phases: the growth phase, during which hair continues to grow; the regression phase, during which fully grown hair prepares to fall out; and the resting phase, during which hair falls out and new hair grows back.
The general cycle is 4-6 years for the growth phase, 1-2 weeks for the regression phase, and 3-4 months for the resting phase.
This cycle is maintained in a normal rhythm by estrogen, a type of female hormone. However, during menopause, the hormonal balance is disturbed, causing hair to fall out without sufficient growth, and new hair does not grow back easily. This is the cause of thinning hair.
Physical deterioration of hair follicles
Physical decline is one of the most common causes of thinning hair in the 40s and 50s.
You may suddenly feel more tired or less strong. In fact, the same thing is happening at the cellular level. Cells that used to be active become less active as we age.
Although we may still feel young in our 40s and 50s, our hormonal balance is also easily disturbed, so overworking or stressing too much can cause a major imbalance.
Hormones also play a role in maintaining hair health and preventing hair loss, so overworking and hormonal imbalance can cause thinning hair.
Even if you were able to do the work you did casually when you were younger, be careful not to overwork yourself physically. It is also a good idea to consciously take time to refresh yourself.
Tobacco and lifestyle disorders
Tobacco and lifestyle disruption are also causes of thinning hair in the 40s and 50s.
The cells that produce hair receive nutrients from the capillaries lining the scalp. However, smoking causes the blood vessels in the body to constrict, which reduces blood flow. Cells that do not receive sufficient nutrients from the capillaries are unable to produce healthy hair, and only weak, thin hair grows.
For the same reason, lifestyle disorders such as lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption also cause thinning hair. There are also studies linking smoking to hair loss.
In order to have healthy hair, it is important to ensure healthy blood flow to every corner of the body. To prevent thinning hair, it is important to avoid lifestyle disorders.
Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)
AGA is male pattern baldness. The incidence of AGA increases with age, and the symptoms tend to become more pronounced in people in their 40s and 50s.
It seems to be more likely to occur as one gets older. This is related to hormonal imbalance. As the body deteriorates with age, the secretion of testosterone, a type of male hormone, increases.
Although testosterone is not the direct cause of hair loss, when testosterone combines with 5-alpha reductase in hair matrix cells, it turns into dihydrotestosterone, which disrupts the hair growth process and causes hair thinning.
AGA is an alopecia that occurs when male hormones combine with reductase enzymes in hair matrix cells, thereby disrupting the hair growth cycle.
Because the hair growth cycle is disrupted, hairs fall out or become thin before they have had a chance to fully grow. As a result, the hairline and the crown of the head become thinner.
Once AGA starts, it cannot be left untreated and will not improve, so it is essential to deal with it as soon as possible.
There is also the possibility of another type of alopecia, such as “seborrheic alopecia.”
If thinning hair becomes a concern in one’s 40s or 50s, it is not necessarily due to AGA. In some cases, the cause is seborrheic alopecia.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition in which itchy inflammation occurs on the top of the head and at the hairline, where a large amount of sebum is secreted, resulting in an increase in dandruff-like sebum.
The difference between seborrheic alopecia and AGA can be discerned by the presence of skin inflammation and increased dandruff. If the scalp is red, itchy or dandruffy, please see your local dermatologist.
In contrast, AGA treatment is strongly influenced by genetic factors and requires a more root-acting approach than skin treatment.
How To Prevent Thinning Hair In The 40s And 50s
Review daily lifestyle and eating habits
One of the measures you can take at home to prevent thinning hair is to review your eating habits.
The food we eat every day is used as a source of muscle, fat, and energy in our daily lives. Hair is no exception. The quality of your hair and scalp environment is greatly affected by the quality of what you consume through your eating habits. Therefore, we should try to maintain a well-balanced eating habit.
Since 95% of hair is composed of protein, it is essential to consume high-quality protein. In addition, vitamins and minerals are also effective in promoting hair growth.
In addition, by paying attention to the sugar and fat that we tend to consume in excess, we can maintain a healthy scalp environment.
Exercise regularly to induce blood circulation
Without exercise, blood circulation becomes stagnant in various parts of the body. Since it is the capillaries in the scalp that send nutrients to the cells that produce hair, poor blood circulation leads to thinning hair.
Aerobic exercise for about 20 minutes a day is recommended, so why not start with light walking?
Change your sleep habits
Although we tend to lack sleep, growth hormone is secreted during sleep, and if you miss the golden hour from 22:00 to 2:00, the amount of growth hormone secreted will drop significantly, so make sure to go to bed at that time.
It is also important to improve the quality of sleep for those who have trouble sleeping for long periods of time. Avoid eating or drinking alcohol in the two hours before bedtime to improve sleep quality.
Avoid stress as much as possible
When you are highly stressed, the balance of the autonomic nervous system is disturbed and blood circulation is impaired. Do not let stress build up and take time to relax.
Consciously taking time out to watch your favorite music or movies or spend time with friends can help relieve stress.
Massage your scalp to improve circulation
Massaging the scalp will improve blood flow, which will facilitate the transport of necessary nutrients to the hair matrix cells, which will help hair growth.
It is recommended to do it during relaxing time to relieve stress.
Protect hair against ultraviolet rays
UV rays reaching the scalp can worsen the scalp environment and damage the cells that maintain hair growth, so remember to protect your scalp from UV rays by using UV-protect sprays and umbrellas.
Use hair growth products like Minoxidil
Hair growth products contain ingredients that are effective in preventing thinning hair and promoting hair growth. By selecting and using a non-irritating product, you can expect to improve your scalp environment.
Don’t hesitate to take the first step to care for thin and strong hair.
Final Thoughts on Men’s Hair Loss At 40 and 50
Many people in their 40s and 50s may become concerned about thinning hair.
This is due to a disruption in the hair growth cycle caused by hormonal imbalance and AGA.
You can improve your scalp environment by adjusting your daily rhythm and paying attention to your eating habits, so if any of these points apply to you, try to improve them starting today.
People in their 40s and 50s live in a stressful society with many responsibilities, but it is also important to consciously take time to relax and unwind. While taking care of your body and mind, you can also prevent thinning hair.
