Losing hair in your twenties
Dec, 17 2019 | By Dr. Sangay Bhutia (Hair Transplant Specialist in Delhi)
Twenties can easily be called the best decade of someone’s life: you have graduated college or university, have started working, are financially independent, and have a promising life and career ahead for you. The world seems to be full of possibilities. But unexpected developments like premature greying of hair, saggy skin, work-related stress, or losing your hair fall can all play spoilsport in your plans. Losing hair in your twenties can be difficult to manage, and psychologically and emotionally damaging for a person; after all it isn’t supposed to happen so soon.
The reasons for hair fall at this age can be varied: hormonal changes, stress, crash-dieting, unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking excessively, prolonged illness, unhealthy eating habits, or illness. Apart from these, the biggest reason for hair fall in men is androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness; it is hereditary and can set in as early as in your early twenties.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this kind of hair loss is related to an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgens, which play a role in male sexual development, regulate sex drive and hair growth. Increased levels of androgens can cause a shorter cycle of hair growth, which means a disruption in the hair cycle and more time taken by new hair to replace the hair that sheds. DHT essentially cuts the hair growth cycle short, leading to hair fall, which is permanent.
Hair loss in the twenties will usually start with a receding hairline, and then move to the crown giving you bald patches. Hair fall caused by factors like illness or lack of proper nutrition is reversible, it can be cured if a person is able to overcome the actual issue. However, male pattern baldness is irreversible. The options are, although available, in the form of topical medicines like Rogaine and Minoxidil. Rogaine works by elongating the growth cycle of the hair and has proven to be useful in arresting hair fall; Minoxidil can stop hair fall as well and stimulate new hair growth.
However, these are not permanent solutions. The only permanent solution for hair fall is hair transplants, which are available and can be undertaken by those in their twenties. Experts usually ask those in their early twenties to wait for a few years as the pattern of hair loss can be better determined and a new hairline can be better designed. Those in mid-to-late twenties can undergo a hair transplant and achieve completely natural-looking and aesthetically-pleasing results; the only condition being that they have to have enough donor hair to achieve their desired look.
Twenties is a time when people have just embarked on their career paths, are potentially looking for a partner, want to socialise, and achieve their professional goals. Hair loss can be a dampener to all these plans. Research shows that people who are losing hair or are bald are considered less attractive by the opposite sex, they may also be considered older and hence less vital or less enthusiastic at work, which can be an impediment for them in the workplace. Hair fall is also known to cause anxiety, lack of self confidence, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a disorder that leads to people believing that some aspect of their body or appearance is flawed), or even depression. These can all deter a person from being social, and stop them from being the best version of themselves in their personal and professional lives.
Leading a healthy, stress-free lifestyle can help people be fit and healthy and prevent hair fall in their twenties, but genetic hair loss cannot be stopped. However, hair transplant as an option is always there for those who think a head full of hair is necessary for them to have a more fulfilling life, be confident, persuasive, loved, or self-assured. Hair fall can be easily managed with some help from the right experts, it doesn’t have to ruin your twenties for you.
