Male Pattern Baldness

Although a range of factors can cause hair loss, most people associate it with male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness commonly afflicts men as they age, and genetic factors can come into play. You may have male pattern baldness if your hair loss starts at the temples or crown of your head. Some men get one bald spot, but others have a receding hairline. For most men with male pattern baldness, the hair gets thinner until there is not much left.

For many people, male pattern baldness is an inherited condition. You may be able to predict your likelihood of hair loss by looking at other members of your family. However, hormonal factors can come into play. Testosterone levels often connect with male pattern baldness. Androgen hormones are also significant to this type of hair loss. Androgen is a hormone that directly supports hair growth. When androgen levels diminish, hair loss is more likely.

Many factors can influence hormone levels. Some examples include genetics, stress levels, and age.

To understand male pattern baldness, consider the growth cycle of your hair. Each hair will grow about an inch each month until it reaches its peak length. It then goes into a resting mode and waits for several months before growing again. This process can repeat itself at any time.

However, when the growth cycle is disrupted or diminished, the hair follicles will start to shrink. This shrinkage causes the hair to be thinner and shorter. Eventually, the growth cycle for each strand will stop completely. When this happens, the hairs will fall out and not grow back.

Many people consider male pattern baldness with dread. It can seem like a hopeless situation that you cannot fight. However, hair loss treatment has come a long way. Solutions exist for people who suffer from male pattern baldness; now has never been a better time for hope.

Losing their hair seems like an inevitable rite of passage for many men. By age 50, 85% of men will have noticeably thinning hair. While the causes are varied, one common culprit is male pattern baldness. Men may experience male pattern baldness differently with hair loss starting in different locations, but the outcome is typically the same. Most men with this condition will eventually lose all or most of their hair.

Male pattern baldness is also known as androgenetic alopecia. It is exceedingly common. It might affect more than half of all American males by some estimates. That means that 50 million men are suffering from male pattern baldness right now. Disconcertingly, many men start to notice its impact at a young age. Some men see thinning hair before they turn 21.

The condition may be common, but that does not mean that it is easy to handle. While few health risks come associated with male pattern baldness, the impact on your mental health can be significant. Male pattern baldness can lead to depression or anxiety. It can cause diminished vitality and a lowered sense of worth.

Although male pattern baldness is prevalent, it is certainly not the only reason for hair loss. You should never assume male pattern baldness causes hair loss. Some other conditions and medications can affect your hair. It is best to have your hair loss assessed by a professional before moving forward with a plan to address the issue.

Ultimately, you do not have to let male pattern baldness be a certainty in your life. By learning more about the condition, you can start to take control of your appearance once more.

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What Is Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness is a frequent cause of hair loss in men. It has roots in strong genetic factors, and it does tend to run in families. However, the most remarkable aspect about male pattern baldness is how it progresses.

In many cases, the natural structure of male pattern baldness begins at the hairline. The hair starts to recede here until an M-shaped hairline develops. Overall, the hair grows finer, shorter, and thinner over time. Thus, it results in a horseshoe pattern along the sides of the head. This progression is common, but it is not the only one that occurs. Some men see their hair recede over their brows. Others develop a bald spot on the crown. Some may lose hair on the top of their head.

When you address the underlying cause of these problems, your hair may be able to regrow. To understand more, take a closer look at what causes male pattern baldness.

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Male Pattern Baldness

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness may seem like a natural side effect of aging, but it has a specific biological cause. In most cases, it follows from fluctuating levels of sex hormones. These hormone levels tend to change for most men as they age. The specific hormone that may affect male pattern baldness is dihydrotestosterone.

Dihydrotestosterone, known more commonly as DHT, is made from testosterone. It belongs to the androgen family of hormones. An androgen is a sex hormone that helps develop masculine sexual traits. These traits include hair growth.

Overall, men have more testosterone than women. The presence of testosterone is why men tend to grow more hair on different parts of their bodies. However, when too much testosterone converts to DHT, the biological balance can change. This change occurs because DHT has a specific impact on hair follicles. DHT may overstimulate your hair follicles, which can cause them to shrink. As a result, your hair growth cycle will shorten, and the strands themselves become brittle.

While this process can affect most people, some are genetically predisposed to problems. These people may have small variations in their androgen receptor genes. These AR genes allow the DHT to bind with the hair follicle. If the AR gene is too active, then too much DHT will bind. This activity causes changes in the follicle and results in male pattern baldness.

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Male Pattern Baldness Treatment Options

Countless men struggle with male pattern baldness, which can be difficult for some. Fortunately, the medical understanding of male pattern baldness has evolved a lot in recent years, and various treatment options are now available.

01
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

FUT hair transplants are also known as strip hair transplant procedures…..

02
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

The FUE hair transplant procedure is one of the most effective ways…..

03
Finasteride (Propecia) for Hair Loss

Finasteride is a powerful tool against male pattern baldness…..

04
Topical Minoxidil

Minoxidil can effectively promote hair growth in the treatment of…..

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

FUT hair transplants are also known as strip hair transplant procedures. The FUT hair transplant method involves taking a strip of hair and tissue from the donor area. Then, Dr. Barnard, Dr. Golio, or Dr. Singh will dissect the hair strips into individual hair grafts. Afterward, the doctors will transplant the grafts into the thinning and balding areas.

FUT hair transplants are possible thanks to advanced tools formulated to combat hair loss. Our surgical team can use FUT tools to perform MEGA sessions with up to 4,000 grafts.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

The FUE hair transplant procedure is one of the most effective ways to treat hair loss problems. To start, one of our clinicians will harvest healthy hair follicles from the donor area. Then, the individual will extract each hair graft individually. When the grafts are ready, they get transplanted into the balding or thinning area. FUE hair restoration leaves no linear scar, which sets the process apart from strip procedures. It is also a less painful process, making it easier for patients to endure.

Even with these distinctive benefits, this hair restoration method is tedious. To get such precise results, FUE relies on handheld instruments. These instruments ensure that only a tiny amount of of skin gets removed to harvest the hairs. It is essential to be careful during extraction to ensure that not too much hair gets harvested from a single area. After all, you still have the same amount of hair with an FUE procedure. The hair becomes more evenly distributed over your scalp.

One of the best things about FUE hair replacement surgery is that the results can be permanent. Since the follicle is left intact, it should stay active when transplanted. In other words, it will continue to produce new hair for years to come. However, it is not as successful when other factors beyond male pattern baldness cause your hair loss. No transplant can ever provide a complete turnaround, but these procedures can profoundly impact some people.

FUE hair transplants can take more time than other procedures, and the surgeons and clinicians involved must have advanced training for the best results. Fortunately, you can get these results at Hair Transplant Specialists (NYC). Dr. Barnard, Dr. Golio, Clinician Daniels, and Dr. Singh are adept with many technologies and methods, including FUE.

Hair transplants can help reverse the effects of hair loss. However, if you take a more proactive approach, you may be able to keep your thinning hair from getting worse. To preserve your hair, you may be interested in medications like finasteride. When used proactively, the correct dose of finasteride can prevent the need for transplant surgery in the future.

Finasteride (Propecia) for Hair Loss

Finasteride is a powerful tool against male pattern baldness. It helps enhance the number of scalp hairs without simultaneously increasing body hair. The medication targets DHT levels. By supporting hormone levels, it is possible to minimize the progression of hair loss from male pattern baldness. For the best results, patients must take finasteride continuously. This action will maintain your hormone levels and keep your hair growing strong.

Most men start to see results with finasteride in three to six months. It takes some time for the medication to take effect, and the body needs time to adapt. However, most men do see new hair growth within that time. It is important to note that men will lose any progress with finasteride once they discontinue usage.

In most cases, you will receive a prescription for 1 milligram of finasteride. You should take it orally once a day. Although most people tolerate finasteride very well, some possible side effects could occur. These side effects could include chills, cold sweats, confusion, and dizziness. If you notice any side effects from finasteride, talk to your doctor right away.

Finasteride can be effective, but it does not work for everyone. If you do not notice results within a year, talk to your doctor. It may be best to discontinue your usage and try a new approach.

Topical Minoxidil

Minoxidil can effectively promote hair growth in the treatment of male pattern baldness. Best known under the brand name Rogaine, minoxidil is safe and convenient. Unlike many hair loss remedies, individuals can purchase minoxidil without a prescription.

Minoxidil is available in both a liquid and a foam form. Most people will see results within four months. Moreover, the effects will only remain sustained while using the medication. Once an individual suspends minoxidil usage, the hair loss will likely resume. In this way, the effects are not permanent. Even so, minoxidil can slow down the progression of male pattern baldness.

Choosing a Treatment Plan for Male Pattern Baldness

No matter how common male pattern baldness may be, you can address your hair loss. At Hair Transplant Specialists – New York City (NYC), we can assess the nature of your hair loss and give you the tools you need. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs.

We can talk to you about the benefits and limitations of medications. We can determine whether you are a good candidate for surgical intervention. We know that every person’s story is different, and we want to take a personalized approach to your treatment. You can come in for a consult in the office, and we also do consultations online for your convenience.