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Bald spots are one of the most frustrating conditions someone can experience. They can embarrass you and affect your self-confidence. Luckily, you’re not alone in this.

Hair loss affects many men, mainly because of stress, the use of certain hair products, or bad skin health. It can also occur if you are undergoing cancer treatment or a certain medical condition caused by the body's immune system. 

Bald spots in men vary in severity. You can have a small bald patch on your crown or all over your scalp. The good news is that you can undergo treatment and have hair regrow on the bald spots.  

If you’re suffering from moderate to extensive hair loss, this guide is for you as we’ll discuss the remedies and what triggers it in detail.

Causes of Bald Spots

Bald spots are the effects of hair loss and can affect anywhere within the head. A bald spot can occur after a chunk of hair falls off your scalp. You can notice this immediately if the hair loss is immense, or it may take years to realize. 

Many things can make you lose hair and develop bald spots. The most common causes of bald spots in men include:

Stress

Stress is one of the things that can make you lose your hair and develop bald spots. Stress makes your hair follicles go into a resting phase. During this phase, your hair thins and starts to shed. 

Stress can also make you pull out the hair from your head unknowingly. Pulling off your hair is a sign of negative feelings, and most people get distracted from stress when doing this. 

Severe stress can also cause alopecia areata, a condition in which your body's immune system attacks your hair follicles. With time, your hair will fall out, leading to bald spots.

Hormonal Factors

Hormones can also make you lose hair on your scalp, leading to bald spots. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone is responsible for bald spots in men. The hormone affects your hair growth cycle as it binds to the receptors on the scalp. 

If this happens, it makes your hair follicles shrink or whither. With time, no new hair grows on your scalp. This causes you to have bald spots, mostly around the hairline or crown. 

Use of Certain Hair Products/ Practices

Also, certain hair products can make you lose hair. For example, using hair products with high chemical concentrations can make your hair fall out. Hot oil treatments can damage your hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out. 

Some hair practices, like over-combing your hair, can also lead to hair loss. Over-combing your hair can weaken the hair follicles, making them fall off after some time. Also, if your hair is tightly pulled when braiding often, it can cause bald spots. 

Genetics

Your genetic composition can also lead to bald spots. The genes from your parents can trigger baldness. So, if your parents have bald spots, expect to have them at any stage of life. 

Although there is no clear explanation of how this happens, doctors believe your genes can make your hair thin, soft, and shorter. With time, you might spot bald spots on your head.

If your family members have alopecia areata (a genetic condition), you may also experience hair loss. Sudden balding can occur in different areas around your head, starting in childhood.

Immune System

Your body’s immune system can also attack your hair follicles, making you bald. When your hair follicles are under attack, your head can swell, and the hair becomes weaker. 

This doesn't cause pain or sickness, and your hair can grow back. But after some time, it may again fall off. Scientists believe it comes from genetics or environmental conditions.

Medical Ways to Get Rid of Bald Spots

If you're experiencing hair loss, start looking for ways to get rid of bald spots. The best remedies can save you from ridicule from your peers and allow you to walk freely without hiding the bald with a cap.

You can treat bald spots by using different hair products or changing your lifestyle. But before settling on the best medical method, your doctor has to examine you and conduct some tests to determine the condition.

Below are the medical hacks on how to fix bald spots:

Use Finasteride  

One of the medical hair products you can use to restore your lost hair is finasteride. The medical prescription helps males by preventing the effects of DHT. It makes your body stop converting testosterone into DHT, which affects your hair follicles. 

It can take 3-4 months to deliver the expected results. Finasteride stimulates hair to grow back on the bald spots around the crown. But it can't work if your hair loss is due to non-hormonal reasons or causes.

Opt for Minoxidil

Another medication that can help stimulate hair growth on bald spots is minoxidil. The medication works by facilitating early hair growth. It makes the hair enter anagen and prolongs the growth phase. A longer growth phase allows the hair to grow more and have less time to rest. 

The good thing about this medication is that it can help restore hair for those with bald spots caused by alopecia areata. It gives gradual results after use. Using it for up to 6 months is advisable to get thicker hair all over your head. 

Surgeries That Target Bald Spots

You can also opt for medical surgeries to help regrow hair on bald spots quickly. The common surgeries that help with bald spots include:

Hair Transplant

You can opt for a hair transplant if you've had extensive hair loss but some of your hair is still thick and healthy. If you work with the right doctor, your lost hair will regrow quickly and resemble the rest that survived the test. 

There are two methods of hair transplant your doctor can opt for. The first method is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), using hair follicles from the donor site. FUT hair transplant works by removing individual hair follicles from the unaffected parts to the bald spot back of the head. 

Most hair for this treatment method comes from the back or sides. After that, the follicles are transplanted onto the bald spot, and you smile again. It takes 2 to 4 hours and doesn’t affect your daily routine.

The other way is Follicular Unit traction (FUT). For this procedure, a surgeon cuts part of your skin from the back of your head.

Scalp Micropigmentation

You can also opt for scalp micro-pigmentation. The non-surgical procedure creates an illusion of shaved hair or extra hair density. It's where a special cosmetic tattoo is put on your scalp then pigments resembling your natural hair color applied on your scalp. 

This is not a permanent solution. Instead, it makes the small bald spots or scars less visible.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment helps manage hair follicle inflammation that prevents them from growing. It's a suitable treatment method for those undergoing conditions like alopecia areata. Low-level laser therapy can help stimulate hair growth through other mechanisms. 

Treating Tinea Capitis (Scalp Ringworm)

If ringworms cause bald spots, your doctor can prescribe the proper medications to treat the condition. The drug can help treat the infection and kill the fungal cells. You can be given antifungal medications for certain days. 

You should take all the medications as prescribed to help restore your lost hair. But your doctor might also request that you change some lifestyle practices to prevent the infection from recurring. 

DIY Home Remedies That Can Treat Bald Spots

If you have a bald spot on the back of your head, you can use different home remedies to manage it. You can achieve that by using the following:

Marine Protein Supplements

Look for marine protein supplements to help you fix bald spots on your head. These supplements are rich in marine proteins and lipids that help grow hair. Marine protein supplements prevent hair loss, which is the main cause of bald spots.

Marine proteins help the body when the collagen levels in the human body increase over time. Marine protein collagen supplement comes from the bones or skin of fish and strengthens the hair shaft. 

It enables the hair follicles to be healthy as it improves keratin production in hair. Using the supplement will make your hair grow faster and denser. 

Caffeine 

You can also try caffeine products to help restore your lost hair. Buy coffee shampoo to prevent hair loss. You can mix it with minoxidil to get the best results. 

Caffeine helps to reduce the effects of the DHT  hormone, ensuring the hair shaft grows longer and the hair roots get wider. 

Caffeine is also a stimulant that can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles. Improved blood circulation can prevent inflammation, and your hair grows faster and healthier.

Vitamin Supplements 

You can also stock various vitamin supplements to help regrow your hair. Look for vitamins A, D, E, and C, which have no effects. But you have to talk to your doctor before using them. Other mineral supplements, like zinc and iron, can also help with hair growth. 

Remember, your body can't store minerals like zinc, which is crucial for hair growth. Lack of zinc in the body leads to immense hair loss. That's why it's supplements can help. 

Iron supplements can also boost hair growth as they transport oxygen to the hair follicles, which helps in nutrient synthesis and promotes hair growth. On the other hand, vitamin C helps repair worn-out tissues in the hair. 

It can also protect your hair from environmental effects and blood transportation on the scalp. This ensures that the hair follicles get enough nutrients essential for hair growth.

Curcumin

Another DIY home remedy for bald spots is curcumin. Curcumin is an active compound in turmeric that works best when combined with other substances like minoxidil to improve its absorption. It improves minoxidil's effectiveness, ensuring your hair regrows. 

Curcumin speeds hair growth during the anagen phase, helping old hair get out of hair follicles and into the scalp. It can also lower inflammation in the hair follicles, which contributes to hair loss. Curcumin is also a good source of antioxidants that fight free radicals in the hair, preventing hair loss. 

Moreover, it decreases DHT levels, which is a contributor to bald spots. You can eat curcumin as a spice to see the desired results. But you can also mix it with black pepper, coconut fat, or olive oil to increase its bioavailability and maximize its absorption rate for a fast response. 

If you're a smoothie person, add curcumin to your smoothie or green juice and restore your hair.

A Hairpiece

You can also buy hairpieces for men to hide their bald spots. Look for a quality hairpiece and wear it without fear. You can get a hairpiece made of real hair to look more natural. The hairpiece is a good choice if you have alopecia and have no hopes of restoring your hair follicles. 

Play Around with Your Hairstyle

If your bald spots are not big enough, you can play around with different hairstyles to hide them. Comb the thick hair towards the affected areas and walk with confidence. You can also reduce the hair length and comb it toward the bald spots.

Alternatively, you can opt for a short haircut, like a crew cut. The difference between your bald spots and normal hair will be less visible after the cut. But feel free to cut the whole head of hair to walk around without hair. No one will notice bald spots if you shave it all, and it's a cheaper way of managing hair loss. 

Bottom Line

Experiencing bald spots when you're younger can be devastating and can lower your self-esteem. This problem requires self-awareness and acceptance, which is not easy. 

You can experience hair loss because of genetic conditions, stress, or medical-related reasons. But this shouldn't worry you since you can regrow your hair using different medications like finasteride. You can also opt for medical surgeries or use DIY home remedies. 

Phoenix Healthcare is here to help you manage bald spots and other health conditions you may have. We’re here to help men live better lives by improving their relationships with their healthcare. Get in touch with us to start your treatment today.

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