Thinning Hair in Men: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments

By age 35, an astounding 40% of men will experience some level of hair loss. And that number jumps to 70% by the age of 80.

Now, some hair loss is normal. There’s a difference between typical day-to-day hair loss and thinning hair in men.

The average person loses between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day, which is nothing to worry about, as new hair regrows from the vacant follicles. As we age, however, hair naturally begins to lose strength and volume. This is because a percentage of follicles stop producing hair.

But how do you know when natural daily hair loss turns into thinning hair? To learn all about thinning hair, including signs and treatments, just keep reading.

Signs and Symptoms of Thinning Hair in Men

If you notice hair thinning to the point that your part is changing, you can see more of your scalp than usual, or you find bald spots, you’re likely experiencing hair loss. That said, the type of hair loss you experience will depend on the cause.

Certain types of hair loss are due to a medical condition. For example, full-body hair loss is often the result of chemotherapy, while patches of baldness and scaling are symptoms of ringworm.

For those without an underlying condition, the following types of hair loss are the most common.

Sudden Hair Loss

This type of hair loss leads to overall thinning but is temporary. It’s caused by physical or emotional shock or intense stress. The stress from the incident causes the hair to loosen, meaning you’ll find handfuls in your brush or shower drain.

Gradual Thinning

Gradual thinning is the most common type of hair loss and typically begins at the hairline on the forehead. This can be from hair loss due to age, but it can also be a result of excessive hair styling.

Hair loss due to excessive tension on the hair over time is called traction alopecia. This type of hair loss is reversible unless you’ve developed scarring from hair treatments. Scarring can mean permanent baldness.

Treatment Options for Thinning Hair in Men

Many of the risk factors for hair loss, such as family history and age, can’t be helped. But while you can’t make yourself any younger or change your lineage, there are a number of risk factors that you can control.

Stress and poor nutrition, for example, are common causes of hair loss, both of which are under your control. We might not be able to avoid stress, but we decide how we handle it.

With that in mind, let’s talk about a few treatment options for thinning hair. Because believe it or not, there are things you can do to slow or even reverse your hair loss.

Cover Your Thinning Hair

No, this isn’t technically a treatment, but it’s the easiest and quickest way to deal with thinning hair. To cover large areas of thinning hair, you can wear a wig or toupee, ask for a crown weave, change up your hairstyle, or use scalp camo. 

If these options aren’t enough for you, it might be time to move on to treatment options that will actually thicken hair and help follicles regrow strands.

Take Your Vitamins

As we mentioned above, a poor diet is often a factor in hair loss. If your diet could use some improvements, the first step is to include more whole, nutrient-dense foods. To supplement these options, it’s a good idea to take vitamins as well.

Look for a vitamin containing plenty of iron, zinc, and folic acid. These will help to boost the thickness and health of your hair. In addition, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids can make a world of difference.

Remember to consult your physician before adding any supplements to your routine, however, as they can react poorly with certain medications and underlying conditions.

Get a Scalp Massage

Giving yourself a routine scalp massage or getting one done by a professional is a great way to combat hair loss by natural means and without breaking the bank.

If you’re massaging your scalp on your own, all you have to do is put gentle pressure on your scalp with your fingertips. Move your fingers in small circles until you’ve massaged your entire head.

To boost the effectiveness of this treatment, consider massaging your scalp with castor oil or an essential oil to promote hair growth. Lavender and rosemary oil are both good options.

Just be sure to complete a patch test before applying the oil to your scalp. The last thing you want to do is make the hair loss worse due to an allergic reaction.

Over the Counter and Prescription Medications

When it comes to medications for hair loss, there are two options. You can buy minoxidil over the counter, otherwise known as Rogaine, or you can get a prescription for finasteride from your physician.

Both can be powerful hair loss remedies if used correctly. Keep in mind, however, that both have to be taken indefinitely in order to be effective. In other words, when you stop taking the medication, your hair loss will return.

Don’t Allow Hair Loss to Diminish Your Confidence

Whether you choose to follow a treatment plan or not, the most important thing you can do is not allow your confidence to be affected by your hair.

There’s nothing wrong with taking steps to improve your appearance, but do your best to remember that confidence comes from within. Thinning hair in men is overwhelmingly common and nothing to be ashamed of. 

Interested in learning more about improving your appearance? Take a look at our blog for tips on everything from treating acne to the best beauty brands.