Male Pattern Baldness: Causes & Treatment
Men, who experience androgenic alopecia also referred to as male pattern baldness, experience hair loss. It causes hair loss on the scalp, the skin that covers your head, and the hair does not come back. Other indications of male-pattern baldness include thinner hair and a receding hairline. Male pattern baldness does not signify a medical condition, although it might have negative effects on confidence or worry.
The look and pattern of the hair loss are typically used to identify classic male pattern baldness. Various medical disorders can cause hair loss. This might be the case if you shed a lot of hair, have broken hair, or experience hair loss accompanied by redness, scaling, pus, or pain. To identify further conditions that lead to hair loss, a skin biopsy, blood testing, or other procedures can be required.
Stages of Male Pattern Baldness
The Hamilton-Norwood scale1 classifies male pattern baldness into seven stages:
Stage 1: Hairline recession and/or minimal hair loss.
Stage 2: There is a modest thinning of the hair near the temples, the area of skin between your ears.
Stage 3: Your hairline may have an "M" or "U" shape and you have severe hairline regression around your temples.
Stage 4: You have a very severe recession of your hairline and crown hair loss.
Stage 5: The bald spot on your crown is connected to your receding hairline.
Stage 6: There is little to no hair between your crown and temples.
Stage 7: You have a narrow ring of hair around your temples and no hair on top of your head.
Causes of Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is brought on by the factors listed below:
Age: As a person gets older, their chance of going bald increases. Before the age of 21, about 25% of men experience their first hair loss symptoms. 50% of people begin losing their hair by the time they are 50 years old, and 70% continue to do so as they age.
Hormones2: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen and is a type of hormone. A class of sex hormones called androgens facilitates human puberty and physical growth. Hair development on the face, chest, underarms, and genitalia are a few physical modifications. Medical experts and researchers think there may be a link between DHT and the thinning of your hair follicles.
Genetics3: According to genetics, the AR gene on your X chromosome regulates your body's capacity to produce androgens. Whether you develop male pattern baldness depends on how sensitive your AR gene is.
Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness4
If you are happy with how you look, treatment is not necessary. The hair loss may be covered up with hair weaving, hairpieces, or a change in hairdo. For male baldness, this is typically the least expensive and safest course of action. However, other treatment options are also available.
Men's pattern baldness medications5 include:
To stimulate the hair follicles, minoxidil (Regaine®), a solution, is administered directly to the scalp. For many men, it delays hair loss, and some men even develop new hair. When you stop taking this medication, hair loss returns.
The drug finasteride (Propecia, Proscar), which is associated with baldness, prevents the creation of a highly active version of testosterone. As a result, the hair loss process is slowed down
Finasteride and dutasteride are similar; however, dutasteride may be more efficient.
Other treatments for male pattern baldness include the following:
In order to promote hair growth, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is injected into the scalp6. This entails taking a sample of your blood, separating out the platelet-rich component, and injecting the bald spots repeatedly.
In order to do a hair transplant7, microscopic plugs of hair are removed from locations where new hair is growing and placed in balding areas. Usually requiring several sessions, the technique can be pricey.
Stimulating hair follicles with the use of laser or light caps is also an option8.
Prevention of Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is not preventable. However, follow the steps below to ensure healthy hair:
Eat proteins, fruits, vegetables and foods good for hair growth
Check your vitamin levels and take supplements if necessary
Manage stress
Invest in quality hair care products
In conclusion, the majority of males develop male pattern baldness as they age. Many men with male pattern baldness don't seek medical attention because they consider it to be a natural part of aging. Your mental health may be adversely affected, though. Male pattern baldness symptoms should be reported as soon as possible, especially if they lead to stress, anxiety, or sadness. There are medications and treatments that can halt or reverse it.
