For many young men, hair loss in the 20s is a real pain and is, in fact, sometimes part of their being thrust into an unwanted, unexpected living reality. While one would expect it in years hence, some myriad of reasons appears to combine to make boys lose their hair long before that. Here are eight common reasons some boys start to lose their hair in their 20s, in today’s world:
1. Genetics (Androgenetic Alopecia)
Genetics can be broadly regarded as the main cause of early balding. If your family history includes male pattern baldness, then you may be susceptible to it. Medically referred to as hereditary hair loss, androgenetic alopecia is genetic, where the size of the hair follicles in the scalp gradually shrinks, and tiny hairs take the place of dense hair, causing loss of hair on the hairline and the top.
2. Hormonal Imbalances
The hormonal disorder, especially relating to dihydrotestosterone, is able to provoke early balding. DHT is a by-product of testosterone and may bind to hair follicles, causing shrinkage and therefore leading to hair loss. Boys in their 20s may go through variation in the level of hormones, which may start the development of thinning of hair or its loss.
3. Stress and Anxiety
Stress has become a part of life even for 20-something young men in today’s fast-running world. Chronic stress is known to encourage a scalp disorder called telogen effluvium, which forces hair to enter an early resting phase and thus fall off easily. Too much anxiety can impede your body processes, including hair growth too.
4. Poor Diet and Nutrition
What you eat has a great relation with hair health. A diet with a lack of necessary nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins can, therefore, have a negative impact on hair growth. The nutrients needed for having strong and healthy hair include biotin, zinc, iron, vitamin A, C, D, and E. In their absence, hair may grow brittle and thin, thereby leading to early balding.
5. Medical Conditions
Some fundamental health complications may cause early development of hair loss. Thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata, and scalp infections cause thinning hair or bald spots. You have to consult a doctor if you suspect a certain underlying medical condition contributes to your hair loss.
6. Medications and Treatments
Certain conditions, like depression, high blood pressure, and acne, have hair loss as one of the possible side effects of some medications. In addition, treatments such as chemotherapy are well known to cause thinning of hair or complete baldness. If you happen to be on any medication which results in your hair falling off, then it may be a good idea to discuss its alternatives with your doctor.
7. Lifestyle Habits
Adverse living patterns, such as smoking, overuse of alcohol, and lack of physical activity, negatively affect the health of the hair. Smoking is very detrimental since it hampers blood flow to the follicles, reducing the allowance of nutrients that are essentially required for hair growth. Prolonged stress will lead to hair thinning and early balding.
8. Excessive Hair Styling and Heat
Using hair styling devices like a blow dryer, straighteners, or a curling iron for a very long period would damage the hair follicles. However, there are also some limited hairstyles, such as braids, ponytails, and man buns, that result in hair loss called traction alopecia due to tension in the scalp. The continuous actions might eventually cause permanent hair loss.
Conclusion
It is sad to see someone in his twenties balding, but understanding the ‘whys’ will somewhat arm you better to face such a situation. While some causes are out of your control, like genetics, others may be related to diet, stress, and certain lifestyle choices you can change to return your hair to health. If early balding disturbs you, always consult your doctor about possible treatments and how to prevent the condition.
