Male Pattern Baldness, Causes, Stages & Treatments

Male pattern baldness can be a scary experience for many men.

Imagine waking up and looking in the mirror one day and noticing that your hair is thinning, receding, or even completely bald.

It’s not just a cosmetic issue, it can also significantly impact a man’s self-esteem and confidence. Androgens levels may also play a role in the development of the condition, which is why some treatments for hair loss in men focus on regulating androgen production in the body.

Unfortunately, this condition affects up to 80% of men and can start as early as their 20s or 30s.

What will you learn in this article?

1. what causes male pattern baldness
2. stages of baldness
3. treatments available
4. how to prevent it

What Causes Baldness?

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is caused by the effects of androgens on hair follicles. Androgens, including testosterone, are present in higher levels in men and can cause hair follicles on the scalp to become sensitive, leading to hair loss. Treatment options aim to regulate androgen production in the body and prevent further hair loss, such as finasteride and minoxidil.

Male pattern baldness is caused by a combination of some genetic and hormonal factors and usually starts to appear in men in their 20s and 30s. While it may seem like a cosmetic issue, male pattern baldness & hair loss can significantly impact a man’s self-esteem and confidence.

Hormones regulate hair production, so when they are out of balance or not working properly, they can cause androgenetic male pattern baldness. The hormone testosterone affects the hair follicle (the part of your body that produces new skin cells) by increasing its size and growth rate.

As men age and their testosterone levels decrease, the follicles shrink back into their scalp instead of growing outward like they did when they were younger, causing this loss hair to appear.

Stages in Male Pattern

Male pattern baldness typically progresses through the following stages:

Stage 1: Mild Thinning: The first signs of pattern baldness, where hair starts to thin out on the top and front of the head.

Stage 2: Hairline Recession: A noticeable recession of the hairline, often creating an “M-shape” pattern.

Stage 3: Bald Patch: A noticeable patch on the crown of the head, which may increase in size over time.

Stage 4: Advanced Pattern Baldness: The hairline continues to recede, and the bald patch grows larger, eventually connecting with the hairline in a horseshoe-shaped pattern.

Stage 5: Complete Baldness: The entire top of the head is bald, and hair only remains on the sides and back of the head.

It is important to note that the progression of male pattern hair loss varies from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as genetics, age, and hormones.

Is baldness Inherited?

The other main factor behind national male pattern baldness is genetics: If one or both parents had this condition, then there’s a good chance you will too.

Male pattern baldness tends to run in families because it’s passed down through genes from generation to generation.

You may have noticed that many members within your family have similar patterns of male-pattern hair loss and/or thinning at different age throughout life; this could be due to shared genetic traits between family members who share common ancestors (elderly relatives often develop similar physical characteristics).

How is Androgenetic Alopecia Diagnosed?

Androgenetic alopecia is diagnosed by the following:

1. Medical history: The doctor will ask about your medically reviewed medical history, including any family history of hair loss and any treatments you may have tried. 
2. Physical examination: The doctor will examine your scalp, hair, and follicles to assess the pattern and extent of hair loss.
3. Blood tests: The doctor may perform blood tests to check for hormonal imbalances or other medical conditions that can cause hair loss.
4. Scalp biopsy: In some cases, the doctor may perform a medically reviewed scalp biopsy to examine a sample of the hair and scalp under a microscope, especially if there are any underlying health conditions. 
5. Trichogram: This medically reviewed test involves counting the number of hairs in a specific area of the scalp to determine the rate of hair loss.

Is Androgenetic Alopecia Permanent?

Androgenetic Alopecia is considered a permanent hair growth health conditions.

While treatments such as medication, hair transplantation, and hair restoration can slow down the progression of hair loss, it is unlikely to be fully reversed. Maintaining good care practices and managing stress levels can also help stop further hair loss.

Treatments for Male Pattern

There is a variety of treatment options for male pattern baldness and increase hair growth.

Some are surgical, while another treatment is non-invasive and can be found at local clinics or over-the-counter home medication.

• PRP Hair Medication

PRP is a therapy that uses your blood to treat hair loss. It’s minimally invasive procedure with little recovery time and can help prevent hair loss and promote new growth. PRP has been used for both men and women and children suffering from pattern baldness or alopecia.

It is recommended to find a local PRP hair London provider to help with male pattern baldness.

PRP can be used to treat various conditions, including:

• Alopecia Areata (diffuse or total)
• Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Baldness)
• Cicatricial Alopecia (Scarring Hair Loss)

• Hair Transplants

Hair transplant surgery involves removing hair follicles from areas where you have plenty of hair and transplanting them to your thinning or balding areas.

The goal is to make it look like you have a lot of hair again or at least enough coverage so that people won’t notice how much you’re losing.

• Procedure takes 2 hours.

If necessary, he’ll stitch up any wounds with sutures or staples before giving them time to heal naturally over several days before coming back in for another session until all desired grafts have been transplanted into their new homes.

Hair transplants usually require multiple sessions spaced several months apart. This is to allow time for each set of transplants’ roots (which grow out from underneath) to reach full maturity before being removed again so they can be used again elsewhere on another part of our bodies where additional coverage may be needed during future procedures.

Medications

• Minoxidil

Minoxidil (Rogaine) for Men is a popular treatment option that can be purchased over the counter at most drug stores. It increases blood flow to the scalp and triggers new growth, but it’s not for everyone.

For male pattern hair loss, It can be applied as a foam, liquid, or solution to the scalp daily.

Side effects may include itching or irritation at first; however, this usually fades after a few weeks. You should also avoid getting minoxidil in your eyes because it may cause blurred vision if it gets into them!

If you’re interested in trying Rogaine, consult with your doctor first.

Your doctor may recommend starting with a lower dose and increasing it slowly over time. You should see significant improvement within three months of starting treatment, but remember that there’s no guarantee that Rogaine will work for everyone!

• Finasteride

Finasteride (Propecia) – This drug lowers DHT levels in your body by about 70 & helps prevent further hair loss, and may even regrow some on your scalp. Finasteride doesn’t help with existing hair loss but prevents further loss while also helping regrow some lost density over time — though this doesn’t always happen!

Finasteride has been shown safe when taken as directed; however, there are users report side effects from finasteride, such as decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, which make finasteride less appealing than others depending on what you’re looking for out of treatment options available today.

Finasteride can treat male pattern baldness in men only; it doesn’t work for women or children because they don’t produce enough testosterone for this treatment to be effective.

• Dutasteride

Dutasteride is a medication commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and noncancerous growth of the prostate gland. However, it has also been effective in treating hair loss.

Dutasteride works by inhibiting the activity of two types of 5-alpha reductase enzymes, which are responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT is a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop producing. By reducing the levels of DHT in the body, dutasteride can help to slow down or even stop hair loss.

It should be noted that dutasteride is a prescription medication and should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. It may take several months of use before results become noticeable, and there may be potential side effects, such as decreased sex drive, impotence, and decreased semen production.

Wigs or Hairpieces for Hair Loss

Another option is using a hair replacement system like a hairpiece or wig. It’s important to note that these products aren’t meant for long-term use; however, many men find them helpful when they start losing their hair (or after an accident).

They’re also easier than other types of treatments because all you have to do is put on your hat or wig every morning before leaving home.

Can Hair Loss be Prevented?

1. Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet with adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals, such as iron, vitamin D, and biotin, can help keep hair health and prevent hair loss.
2. Avoid excessive styling: Avoid hair treatments that can cause damage, such as hot styling tools or harsh chemical treatments.
3. Control stress levels: Stress can contribute to hair loss, so try to manage stress levels through meditation, exercise, or other techniques.
4. Limit alcohol and tobacco: Alcohol and tobacco use can negatively affect hair health and contribute to hair loss.
5. Consult a doctor: If you have a family history of male pattern baldness, speak to your doctor about treatments that may help prevent hair loss, such as medications or hair restoration procedures.

It is important to note that male pattern hair loss is a genetic condition, and there is no guaranteed prevention method. However, these steps can help to maintain health of hair and may reduce the risk of hair loss.

Key Takeaways:

• The main cause of male pattern baldness is genetics, and it is passed down from family members at different ages.
• Hormonal changes can also play a role in developing this type of hair loss.
• Common symptoms of male pattern baldness include a receding hairline, thinning crown, and a horseshoe-shaped pattern on the scalp.
• There are several treatments for male pattern baldness, including medications, hair transplant surgery, and hair replacement systems.

The best treatment option depends on the severity of the hair loss and the individual’s preferences.

Conclusion & What to do Next

In conclusion, male pattern baldness is a common condition that affects many men worldwide.

It is caused by a combination of genetics and hormonal changes, and can start to appear in men in their 20s and 30s.

It is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and sometimes a scalp biopsy or trichogram.

Although androgenetic alopecia is considered a permanent condition, there are various treatments available, such as PRP hair therapy, hair transplant surgery, medications, wigs or hairpieces, and maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding excessive styling, controlling stress levels, limiting alcohol and tobacco use.

The best treatment option depends on the severity of the hair loss and the individual’s preferences.

If you are experiencing any baldness, and want to book a consultation for PRP treatment contact us immediately for assessment and proper treatment.