7 Surprising Truths About Male Baldness I Discovered After Shaving My Head
Hair loss is a journey many men dread, yet it's one that countless individuals face as they age. For Derek Simnett, a 40-year-old Certified Nutritional Practitioner specializing in vegan nutrition, the decision to shave his head led to unexpected revelations about male baldness. His experience, combined with research and expert opinions, sheds light on this common yet often misunderstood condition. Here are surprising truths about male baldness that Simnett uncovered during his journey.
Male Baldness Is Becoming More Common, Especially in Younger Men
Simnett's initial suspicion that more men are experiencing hair loss these days wasn't just in his head. Leonora Doclis, senior trichologist at The Belgravia Centre, confirms this trend: "I'd say at least 3 in 5 of our clients are in their early 20s. The statistics indicate that the average age that a man starts to experience hair loss is declining, and the number of those affected is growing."
This aligns with what Simnett found in his research. "By the time men hit 30 years old, 25 to 30% will experience some hair loss, and by the time Caucasian men hit 50 years old, over one-half of them are going to experience hair loss," he discovered. The American Hair Loss Association provides even more stark numbers, stating that by age 35, two-thirds of American men will experience noticeable hair loss.
It's Not Just About Genetics
While Simnett learned that genetics play a significant role in male pattern baldness, he was surprised to find that other factors contribute as well. "It's actually how sensitive your hair follicles are to DHT," he explains. DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is converted from testosterone and can cause hair follicles to shrink in genetically predisposed individuals.
However, the American Hair Loss Association points out that while "Androgenetic alopecia, also known as common male pattern baldness (MPB), is responsible for over 95% of hair loss in men," other factors are at play too.
Stress Is a Major Hair Loss Culprit
One of the most surprising discoveries for Simnett was the significant role stress plays in hair loss. Hair replacement specialists note, "Information gathered from young adults shows that higher levels of stress are actually found in younger generations when compared to older ones. This connection between age and stress can be magnified when issues are caused by loneliness, isolation, and feeling the need to maintain hair in the most popular styles."
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Diet Matters More Than You Think
As a nutritionist, Simnett was particularly intrigued by the dietary factors affecting hair loss. "Soy has been attributed to hair growth in a number of studies. It seems that the phytoestrogens in them are able to bind to the DHT, not allowing it to affect the sensitive hair follicles," he found in his research.
Experts also point out that nutritional deficiencies in zinc, iron, vitamin D, and protein have all been found to cause thinning hair. This underscores the importance of a well-balanced diet, regardless of dietary preferences.
Environmental Factors May Be Contributing to Hair Loss
In his investigation, Simnett stumbled upon a surprising potential cause of hair loss: "I also started to wonder if it isn't some environmental factors like our increased exposure to microplastics and BPAs that aren't causing an increase in hair loss in younger people." While more research is needed, there's growing concern about how our modern environment affects our health, including our hair.
The Science Behind DHT and Hair Loss
During his research, Simnett delved deeper into the biological mechanisms of hair loss. He learned that DHT (dihydrotestosterone) plays a crucial role. "It's actually how sensitive your hair follicles are to DHT," he explains. "Testosterone converts to DHT through an enzyme called alpha-five reductase. And when DHT is high, and our hair follicles are genetically predisposed to being sensitive to DHT, what happens is they start to shrink, the hair gets thinner and finer and eventually that hair follicle will die, and the hair falls out."
This understanding opened his eyes to why some treatments work, and others don't. It's all about managing DHT levels or reducing hair follicle sensitivity to DHT.
Natural Remedies Can Be Effective
Simnett also discovered some natural DHT inhibitors during his research. "Stinging nettle is one of them, and fenugreek seeds are another," he found. These natural options provide alternatives for those looking to address hair loss without resorting to pharmaceutical treatments.
The Creatine Conundrum
As someone who has used creatine supplements in the past, Simnett was particularly interested in its potential effects on hair loss. "There was one study that came out that showed that creatine supplementation does increase DHT production in males," he discovered. However, the evidence isn't conclusive, and more research is needed.
His advice? "If you're taking creatine and you feel like it might be causing some hair loss, well then just stop taking it. I don't think that's a worthwhile side effect to go through just for some extra muscles or recovery."
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Lifestyle Factors That Affect Hair Health
Throughout his journey, Simnett realized that overall lifestyle plays a significant role in hair health. As one source explains, "Lifestyle-related or oxidative stress is also known to cause male pattern baldness in young men. Starting university, regular lack of sleep and extreme exercise regimes all strain the body causing detrimental effects on the hair cycle growth."
He found that simple habits can make a difference. "Not smoking, not being too stressed out, getting good sleeping habits, making sure you're eating enough protein, that sort of stuff," are all important factors in maintaining hair health.
The Practical Side of Going Bald
After making the decision to shave his head, Simnett quickly learned about the practical aspects of maintaining a bald look. "It does take quite a bit of upkeep, and this is something that has taken some getting used to," he admits. He found that investing in the right tools makes a big difference. "I went and bought this thing off of Amazon, and this is specific for shaving your head, and it has actually been so good. It makes it really quick and easy, and it actually sucks up all the hair into the head of it so it doesn't go all over the bathroom."
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Embracing Baldness Can Be Empowering
Perhaps the most surprising truth Simnett discovered was how empowering it can be to embrace baldness. After shaving his head, he experienced an unexpected boost in confidence. "I definitely feel more confident, keep my head up a little higher and my chest higher. And it sort of just feels like, 'Hey world, this is me. I've got nothing to hide here I am,'" he realized.
For those considering taking the plunge, Simnett received this advice that he now passes on: "If I can give you some advice as a bald guy to someone who's kind of thinking about shaving their head and he's not happy with their hair anymore, he said, just do it. He's like, I guarantee you're going to like it and you can always grow it back if you don't." And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 40 Health Symptoms That Can Be More Serious Than You Think.
