Androgenetic Alopecia or Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. Up to 50 percent of all men at some point of time in life will be affected by male pattern baldness to some extent.
Male pattern baldness can be both genetic and associated with the male sex hormones called androgens. Androgens have many functions, one of which is to regulate hair growth.
Every strand of hair grows out of a little pouches in your skin called a follicle. Normally, an individual strand of hair grows for two to six years, then undergoes a resting phase for several months, falls out, and is replaced by a new hair strand. With male pattern baldness, the hair follicle becomes smaller. It grows shorter and finer strands, and eventually stops growing.
Though, one of the most common cause of male pattern baldness is heredity, but sometimes it has more serious causes, such as certain medications, thyroidconditions, cancers and anabolic steroids.
In male pattern baldness hair loss typically begins at the temples or the crown of the head which eventually meets leaving a bald patch in the center of the crown.
Treating Androgenetic Alopecia
Wig or Hair Extensions
Wigs are traditional options to cover thinning hair, receding hairlines, and complete baldness. They come in a variety of colors, styles and textures. For a natural look, choose wig colors, styles, and textures that look similar to your original hair. Professional wig stylists can help style and fit wigs for an even more natural look.
Medications
-
Minoxidil (Rogaine) – Minoxidil is a topical medication applied to the scalp. In some men, minoxidil slows hair loss and stimulates the hair follicles to grow new hair. Minoxidil takes four months to one year to begin working.
-
Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) – Finasteride is an oral medication that slows hair loss in some men. It works by blocking the production of the male hormone responsible for hair loss. Finasteride has a higher success rate than minoxidil.
Weaves
Hair weaves are sewn into your natural hair, and you don’t need to worry as you have enough hair to sew the weave into. The advantage to weaves is they always stay on, even during activities such as showering, swimming and sleeping.
Transplant
A hair transplant is an invasive hair loss treatment. Hair transplants work by removing hair from areas of the scalp that have active hair growth and transplanting them to areas of your scalp that are thinning or bald.
Laser Light Therapy
Low Level Laser Therapy is one of the most effective and advanced hair loss treatments available that can help men and women to achieve fuller and thicker hair. Using “soft” laser, Low Level Laser Therapy works to stabilize further hair loss and typically stimulates hair re-growth in approximately 50% of male and female patients. Being a non-invasive treatment, LLLT is painless and requires no recovery time.
