By the age of 50, approximately half of men will suffer from male pattern hair loss.
For some, the thought of hair loss or going bald is distressing and can affect their self-esteem.
In this week’s video, we will review why male pattern hair loss occurs.
Plus, what are the best treatments available.
My name is Dr Hart-Pinto. At JHP medical we make weekly information
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Ok, so what is Male Pattern Hair Loss? Male pattern hair loss, a condition known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is the most common cause of hair loss in men.
This condition is believed to occur due to the complex interplay of the potent male hormone
dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and your genetic makeup.
The hormone, DHT, causes a progressive change in the hair follicles. Initially, this makes your
hair thinner and lighter in colour. Follicles will eventually stop producing hairs.
As already mentioned, the condition has a genetic link. Meaning, if you have affected family members
on either your mother or father’s lineage, you are at increased risk for developing this condition.
Unfortunately, the hair loss caused by Androgenetic Alopecia is permanent.
Are there any other causes of hair loss?
There are many different types of temporary hair loss, including: · Stress
· Weight loss · Iron deficiency
· Illness, and · During cancer treatments
We naturally lose somewhere between 50-100 hairs per day, even without noticing.
What does Male Pattern Hair Loss look like?
In this condition, men usually start to notice a receding hairline around the time of puberty.
That’s when the DHT hormone starts to kick in.
The typical pattern is a receding frontal hairline and a loss of hair on the top of
your head. In affected areas, hairs are notably shorter and thinner than in non-affected areas.
The scalp should look healthy.
How do I know if I have male pattern hair loss?
Speak with your doctor. Doctors base their diagnosis on hair loss patterns
and your family history.
So, I have Male pattern hair loss, what can I do?
Treatments are available, which can slow down your hair loss and even restore some of the lost hair.
They come as topical treatments, i.e., ones applied directly to the scalp and oral medication.
5% Minoxidil This treatment comes as a liquid or foam,
which is applied directly to the scalp. In the initial weeks, this medication may promote hair
loss before new hairs start to grow.
Usually, treatment needs to be continued for at least 6 months before any benefit is seen.
Fortunately, this treatment is well-tolerated,
however, some individuals will develop localised scalp reactions, such as itching, dryness and redness.
Finasteride
Finasteride is an oral medication that helps to reduce the male hormone DHT.
A reduction in DHT will reduce hair loss and promote regrowth of hair. The licensed dose of finasteride for hair loss is 1mg taken once daily.
Again, medication must be continued for around 6 months for patients to see a benefit.
Effects of this medication will be lost between 6 and 12 months after stopping treatment.
Reducing the male hormone DHT can have a knock-on effect leading to reduced libido and erectile dysfunction.
Surgical Treatments
Surgical treatments are available and take one of 2 forms. 1. Hair transplantation
Hair follicles are harvested from more dense areas of your scalp and moved to balding areas.
2. Scalp Reduction
Bald areas are removed, and hair rich scalp is stretched over to provide coverage.
Both methods do not increase the number of available hair follicles.
Effectively, these techniques promote a redistribution of remaining hair follicles.
Skin Camouflage
These commonly come as pigmented fibres which help to disguise your hair loss. Many different variations are available commercially.
Unfortunately, products can fall away should your hair get wet. and don’t last a long time.
Wigs
Wigs, toupees, and hairpieces are effective methods of covering bald areas.
These are available in both synthetic and real human hair options.
Embrace the baldness
Embrace being bald. Many men worry about the social stigma of being bald.
Those who choose to shave their heads feel a sense of relief even melted all their insecurities away.
Recent studies have even suggested women can find bald men more attractive.
Additionally, shaving your head will result in significant cost savings.
Treatments for hair loss aren’t cheap, and your wallet will thank you for this decision.
Of course, this choice isn’t for everyone.
Prognosis
Male pattern hair loss affects everyone differently. The severity of the condition
is influenced by a complex interplay of our genetic makeup and male hormone levels.
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