Male Pattern Baldness: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Oct 8, 2024
Male Pattern Baldness: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

It is a common problem that affects about half of all men by the time they reach their 50s. This condition usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, although it can begin at any age. It can cause you to lose your hair and have a receding hairline or even experience total baldness on some areas of your scalp. Although this doesn’t happen overnight, it is a progressive condition, meaning that it will continue to get worse over time. This condition can have a significant impact on one’s self-esteem and confidence.

In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for male pattern baldness. We will also discuss ways to prevent further hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.

Symptoms and Causes

Male pattern baldness is characterized by a receding hairline and thinning of the hair on the crown, temples, and sides of the head.

This is when your hair starts to thin at the front of your head, creating a "U" shape. You may also notice that your hair is thinning at the crown of your head. This can create a bald spot.

The condition occurs when the hair follicles are genetically sensitive to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and miniaturize over time. This type of hair loss usually starts in the late teens or early 20s but it can start later in life as well.

The causes of male pattern baldness are not fully understood, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors.

  • It can also be caused due to a genetic mutation that affects hormone production in a person. A genetic cause can only be diagnosed after the person has had the problem for a while and is in their reproductive years. Some genetic mutations are passed down from generation to generation. These genetic causes are called recessive. They are the most difficult to treat and can lead to balding.
  • Hormonal factors may also play a role in the development of male pattern baldness. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone and other androgens play a part in the miniaturization of hair follicles, a process that leads to hair loss.
  • Many drugs can cause hair loss, such as those used for conditions such as cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure.
  • Conditions such as dermatitis can cause baldness if they cause inflammation and redness on the scalp, which may lead to hair breakage and loss. In some cases, patches of thinning or lost hair may also develop. If you experience any of these symptoms along with a rash, redness, pain, peeling of the scalp or unusual pattern of hair loss, it's important to get checked out by a doctor to rule out any underlying causes.
  • Environmental factors also seem to play a role.

Treatment options for male pattern baldness vary depending on the severity of the condition and can include medications, laser therapy, and even surgery.

In some cases, lifestyle changes such as stress management and diet modifications may help reduce the symptoms of male pattern baldness.

Treatment

There is no cure for male pattern baldness but there are treatments that can help to slow its progression and improve the appearance of hair.

However, if a patient can take the right treatment, they can prevent bald patches from occurring. If you are looking for male bald spot treatments, you can use a variety of treatments that will help you to achieve your goals.

Many different types of baldness treatments can help your head look and feel better. When choosing the correct type of treatment, there are certain things to look out for.

  1. It is important to make certain that the treatments will be long-lasting because you will need to have them done again in case they don't work.
  2. Another important factor to keep in mind is that you want to avoid using any products that are too harsh. These products will only make the problem worse. So, if possible, choose the best products for the treatment.

The first step in treating male pattern baldness is to talk to a dermatologist. He or she can help to rule out other potential causes of hair loss such as stress, malnutrition or an underlying medical condition. If the doctor determines that pattern baldness is the cause of hair loss, he or she may recommend a course of treatment.

There are several treatment options available for male pattern baldness:

  • Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a topical treatment that can be applied to your scalp. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and by prescription. It can be applied daily twice to your scalp.
    • Finasteride is a pill that is to be taken daily. It is only available by prescription. If you're suffering from male pattern baldness, it's important to talk to your doctor. They can help you choose the right treatment for your individual needs.Hair transplant: There are several ways to treat male pattern baldness but the most successful method is a hair transplant. A hair transplant is a surgery in which hair is taken from elsewhere on the head and transplanted onto the balding areas. The surgery is done under local anesthetic and takes around two hours. The hair is taken from the back, sides, and front of the head and is placed in clumps. The surgery can often restore a good amount of hair but it is not a cure.Scalp micro pigmentation: It is like a hair tattoo. Small dots of ink are placed on the scalp which looks like hair. This helps make thinning hair look like it is thicker and fuller than it is. This is not a hair growth treatment but just something to make the appearance of the head look better.
    • A revolutionary treatment being used currently is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. This can be used both for preventing hair loss and promoting the growth of new hair. Also, PRP can help stimulate hair growth after hair transplants.

Important Facts about PRP

The process involves the following three steps:

  1. Preparation: In this procedure, a sample of the individual's blood will be taken and plasma is extracted from the blood.
  2. Process: The PRP is then injected into your scalp at the areas where growth needs to be promoted.
  3. Execution: The injection stimulates the hair follicles and promotes the growth of new hair.

Before PRP:

  • Avoid taking blood-thinning medicines, vitamins, and nutritional supplements for at least 2 weeks before your treatment.
  • Avoid being exposed to the sun for too long at least 7 days before the treatment
  • Avoid having hair treatments done like colouring and styling at least 1 week before your treatment.
  • Avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages at least 3 days before your treatment.
  • Maintain a healthy water intake and stay hydrated.

After PRP:

  • For the first 8 hours, avoid touching the treated area of your scalp.
  • After therapy, avoid using NSAID painkillers for at least two weeks.
  • Avoid wetting your hair for at least three hours before using any style or hair care products for at least six hours.
  • Avoid alcohol and highly caffeinated beverages for at least 3 days after treatment.
  • Avoid smoking for at least 3 days.

When to avoid PRP treatment

  • If there are any open wounds on the scalp
  • History of blood disorders or medications
  • Chemical or surgical hair treatment has been done in the past
  • History of cancer
  • Scalp infections

PRP has diverse uses including the treatment of injuries, post-surgical healing, osteoarthritis, etc. PRP treatment options start at Rs 5000. To know more about these revolutionary treatments in treating male pattern baldness and other conditions, check out our website.

Conclusion

Male pattern baldness is a problem that affects men in India, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many other countries. It affects around 2 million men and is caused by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

There are several things that you can do to help prevent male pattern baldness from happening in the first place. These include avoiding hot baths and showers, using a hair dryer on low or medium heat, and using good-quality shampoo.

If you are concerned about your hair loss, then you should see a dermatologist. Our team of dermatologists will be able to recommend the best options for you. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today. And say goodbye to baldness.