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I'm almost 40 and so far (knock on wood) show no hair loss. Is there anything I can do that will help to prevent it.
No.
Some may swear by this or that but there is no accepted scientific justification for the claims.
I've heard it said (many times over, in fact) that whatever degree of MPB (Male Pattern Baldness) has revealed itself by the time you turn age 30, you're not likely to have all that much more hair loss after that -- only increased hair-thinning as we continue to age.
MPB is genetic. We are either blessed or unblessed ("lucky" or UNlucky), according to our heredity from our parents in this matter.
Not necessarily. My father in law had all his hair up until his
60s. He is now 74 and has very little hair left.
Not a biology major, but I think the genetics are more complicated than that. I know a guy who's dad was bald (his father has sadly passed on) but has all his hair at my age ('50s). He has two younger brothers, and one of them is bald, but the other one isn't either.
Without trying to figure out the genetics, it does seem to be a hard and fast rule that those guys who will be bald in the future have serious receding by age 30, pretty much as you said.
Of course, this doesn't give much insight to those in their teens or early 20s, and so I suppose it's back to genetics. Even with zero or inadequate understanding of that, it is often possible to figure out at least something by looking at family members.
For instance, nobody in my family was ever bald, although my dad has a bald patch at the back of his head, and I have all my hair. Pretty much assumed I would. OTOH, if you come from a family of bald guys ... oh dear!
I don't think there is much you can do about MPB. Some swear by Propecia, but others say it is expensive and doesn't help much.
There is probably some truth in the idea that what you have by the age of 40ish, you will keep; I think that is true for most. My own MPB started in my mid 30s, but has not changed since the age of about 37/38. I am glad, however, that I have not yet got more than one or two grey hairs, although probably that is as much as anything because I never cut or trim my hair, so the colour change is about six years behind that of most people.
Also bear in mind, that even though there are some people on this board who have used Propecia (finasteride) without ill effects, it can cause erectile dysfunction (which IMHO makes hair loss look more tolerable), and sometimes even after guys stop using it. Not sure what's wrong with the other main drug, i.e. Rogaine (minoxidil) but there must be something, because some guys have even posted that they switched from it to the other one. I don't think hair transplants have such side effects, but can't speak from any experience.
That's a very good point. Worth remembering
... often hair loss can be a 'barometer' for your bodies general health ... when I got cancer in 2004 - the build-up to my diagnosis was the symptom & sign of hair loss: ( not due to 'Chemo' - but as my body was warning me that something wasn't right ) - in the end, my falling out hair was clogging the drain hole in the shower & my scalp was clearly visible - I'm fully recovered now ... but being healthy: ( or sick ) will always show in hair & scalp health: ( 'MPB' aside ) ...
Good to hear you have conquered your battle with cancer, my friend! We have lots way too many good people to that awful disease!
Good to hear you have conquered your battle with cancer, my friend! We have lots way too many good people to that awful disease!
Thank you very much Raul - God has not finished with me yet ! - I'm still reeking havoc, hither, thither & yon. ... o'er hill & dale & past the shady tree ... cheers buddy CEM. :))