The Many Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Hair loss in men is not uncommon—some form of balding occurs in nearly 2 of every 3 men. However, with correct diagnosis and treatment programs, many men with hair loss can be helped.

A person’s hair goes through a continuous cycle of growing and resting. At any given time, 90% of a person’s scalp hairs are in the growth phase, which lasts 2 to 6 years. Following the growth phase, a hair enters a 2- to 3-month resting phase. At the end of this resting phase, this hair will shed, to be replaced by new hair, beginning the growth cycle again. While most hairs are in the growth phase, others are in the resting phase. Scalp hair grows slowly—on average, only about a half-inch each month. And as people age, the rate of growth slows. 

Men who notice hair shedding in large amounts or thinning may want to consult a family doctor or dermatologist (a physician who specializes in treating diseases of the hair and skin). To determine whether treatments will help and identify which treatments may be most effective, it is important to determine the cause of one’s hair loss. 

There are several types of hair loss that typically concern men:

• Progressive Hair Loss       
• Sudden or Patchy Hair Loss