Hair Coming Back

Surprised bald man
Photo: Spaxiax/Shutterstock
Q: Ok here we go. Probably one of the most stupid questions ever? I started losing my hair in my late 20's (I'm now 46) and to be honest it never really bothered me, as I just accepted it as the cycle of life. But I have noticed in the past few months that it seems to be coming back.
 
It is definitely thicker on top, and I don't know why it is happening. A friend of mine has also commented on it, so it’s not just my imagination. So my question is, can hair grow back naturally on a bald head and if so, is there anything I can do to encourage it?
 
A: Well, I can assure you this is not a stupid question. The normal pattern of male hair loss (called male pattern baldness) is usually caused by Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a hormone (an androgen) that helps govern the development of male sexual characteristics. Other factors can also contribute, but DHT is widely believed to be the primary culprit in male pattern baldness.
 
If there is a change in the DHT levels in your system, you could see a reverse in your hair loss. (The drug Propecia, used to reverse male pattern hair loss, is a ‘5a-reductase inhibitor’ which inhibits the production of DHT in the body.) Hormonal levels within the body can be changed by a number of factors – medical, environmental (stress, etc.) and dietary – and these changes are usually constant, but stay within an accepted “normal” range.
 
That’s not to say that I think you are suffering from any medical condition. I am not a physician and am not qualified to diagnose or advise on any medical condition. But these are the basics (simplified) of male pattern baldness and are intended to give you an idea of the possible causes for the changes you are experiencing.
 
If you notice any other changes in your body, of feel in any way “unwell” or “out of the ordinary” I would consult a physician and be sure to mention as well that you’ve noticed the reversal in your hair loss. If you are feeling fine otherwise, simply make sure to bring it up with your doctor at your next check-up.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
Receding hair lines
 
A natural solution for hair loss