Thinning hair is not a losing battle

Thinning hair may happen to most people, but it doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Have you considered doing something about it?

Hair loss affects far more than how you look. It can be absolutely devastating for the self-esteem. We instinctively know this is the case of women, but what about men?

In a study* into male hair loss and self-image, two in three men (62%) who were already losing their hair said it would affect their self-esteem. Men were worried about being less attractive (43%), going bald (42%), getting older (37%), negative effects on their social life (22%) and were even concerned about depression (21%).

The fact is, by 50, half of all men will experience significant hair thinning or hair loss.

Why? A number of factors, so let’s start with the basics.

How do you tell if this hair loss is ‘normal’ or you’re on a slippery slope to a shiny dome?

Normal shedding or real hair loss?

It’s normal to lose anywhere between 50 to 150 hairs each day. This will vary from individual to individual as well as seasonally.

However, if you find more than that your brush, shower, sink, pillow or clothes over time, you may be experiencing progressive hair loss.

Eventually, a key indicator is a receding hair line with a characteristic M-shape around the temples and visible scalp around the crown.

What causes it?

Hair loss is a complex condition which could result from several different factors such as genetics, hormonal changes, physiological stress, pollution, diet, medication, an underlying medical condition, or a combination of these.

The most common form of hair loss in men is known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male-pattern baldness. The etiology of this condition is not entirely clear, however it is fundamentally thought that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attacks the hair follicles on the temple and crown which over time produce fine, miniaturized hairs.

Most recently it has been shown by scientists that the FGF5 protein is the master controller of the hair cycle, and when it accumulates in the scalp it causes excessive hair loss in men and women.

Conversely, a reduction of FGF5 has shown a reduction in hair loss and an increase in growing hair follicles. In a clinical study by scientists in the USA an FGF5 inhibitor was shown to increase hair growth by 44% and reduce hair loss by 82% over 16 weeks.

Old problem, new solution

So could this be the new solution to this old problem? Maybe, if you start early enough. The clinical study involved individuals with early to mid-stage hair loss (stages 2-5 on the Hamilton Norwood Scale).

The only product we could find with a clinically validated FGF5 inhibitor was évolis®.

They use natural extracts that inhibit FGF5 in their formulations, which is available without a prescription. The topical lotion was formulated for use on a daily basis and they also sell a shampoo to help with instant volume.

FGF5 is the hottest new science in hair loss. Its applicability for men and women means that a product with it may be something to put on the bathroom shelf for everyone in the family.

For more information on treatments for male and female hair loss, please visit the évolis® website.

This article is sponsored by évolis®. It was written as we feel it delivers valuable insights into a subject important to the Starts at 60 community. For more information, please visit the évolis® website.

*The psychosocial impact of hair loss among men: a multinational European study. Alfonso M, Richter-Appelt H, Tosti A, Viera MS, Garcia M. 2005

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