As a form of hair loss, male pattern baldness affects many men and women, leading to a decline in confidence and even quality of life. Despite not causing harm to a person’s overall health, hair loss can substantially impact feelings of attractiveness. This article reviews male pattern baldness, its causes, symptoms, and effective treatment options.
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Everything You Need to Know About Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is prevalent among middle-aged men, as more than 50 percent of men have observable signs of this type of hair loss by the age of 50. Firstly, let’s find out how dermatologists describe this condition.
What Is Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is a form of hair loss characterized by a receding hairline and hair loss on the top of the head. Male pattern baldness is so-called because it follows a pattern that develops in severity over time as measured by the amount of hair loss.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness is primarily caused by two factors: hormones and genes. Both of these factors drive this type of hair loss.
Hormones
Male pattern baldness is driven by a byproduct of testosterone called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is present in the prostate gland and skin. DHT can shorten the hair cycle’s growth phase. This shortened growth phase occurs in conjunction with follicle shrinking, progressively resulting in fewer and finer hairs. 5-alpha reductase is the enzyme that controls the formation of DHT.
Genes
Male pattern baldness might be inherited and can affect both men and women. It is caused when hair follicles are genetically susceptible to the effects of DHT. This oversensitivity causes the hair to become thinner and shorter. It’s important to remember that men with male pattern baldness don’t produce any more testosterone nor its byproduct, DHT, than other men.
What Are the Symptoms of Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness can be divided into three consecutive stages. The first stage occurs when the hair follicle starts to shrink gradually, leading to the second stage, when hair becomes shorter and thinner. Finally, the follicle can no longer grow new hair, resulting in partial or complete baldness.
The hairline is the most visible indication of male pattern baldness. The hairline recedes over time, forming an M shape. As the symptoms become more severe, a circular area at the top of the head gradually thins and expands in size. The hair eventually thins down, sheds, and forms a U shape along the top sides of the head above the temples, with a round bald area on the crown.
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How to Treat Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is not a disease per se and does not affect your lifespan. However, hair loss is associated with significant psychological impacts that affect a person’s confidence, happiness, and even mental health. There is no perfect solution to this condition but there now are some treatments that can significantly help curtail and potentially rejuvenate your hair.
Medications
Prescriptions that are widely used to treat male pattern baldness include Minoxidil 4-8% (Rogaine), a topical solution applied directly on the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. Another medicine is Finasteride (Propecia), an oral pill that inhibits the production of testosterone’s byproducts DHT by blocking the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. Other medications in this family (5 alpha reductase inhibitors) such as Dutasteride(Avodart) are also effective.
Hair Serum
At Peak Human, we offer two hair growth products that have been proven to effectively boost healthy hair growth and reduce hair loss. The PTD Hair Serum has been shown to activate the development of new hair follicles within five weeks by activating the Wnt/b-catenin pathway, associated with hair loss due to aging. And our Duo Hair Serum helps to improve the lifespan of hair follicles and reduce hair loss due to zinc deficiency by a combination of GHK-Cu and Zn-thymulin.
Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) +/- Exosomes/Stem Cells
Platelet-rich Plasma is a treatment option that involves injecting the patient’s platelets into the scalp to stimulate the healing of the areas with hair loss. You can add exosomes and stem cells to the PRP for an additive effect. In as quick as a few sessions, you can begin to notice that hair loss is reduced. And within 3-6 months, expect to see the new hair follicles growing. Normally, people require regular PRP treatments to maintain the rejuvenation of their hair follicles
Hair Transplant Procedure
A hair transplant is a semi-permanent solution for hair loss. This surgical procedure involves relocating healthy hair and its roots from a region of the head where hair grows (back of the head) to an area of bald or balding skin. The procedure might require multiple sessions yet offers long-term results. There are two main techniques – a flap or follicular unit extraction. Hair transplant is very effective and is used in situations where there are little to no hair follicles remaining in the scalp area that has been balded.
If you are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness, current treatment options might not reverse the condition completely. Nevertheless, you can improve your hair follicles by implementing a healthy diet and avoiding chemicals that can harm your hair.
If you have questions about male pattern baldness or any health problems discussed here, connect with us and learn more.
At Peak Human, our team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to helping you reach your ‘peak’ health with a custom whole-person approach. Using the most cutting-edge, science-backed biohacking and aesthetic tools, technologies, and treatments available today, we help you achieve the highest physical/cognitive performance state, leading to an improved overall quality of life.
For questions or to book an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us. Get personalized support and insight from expert physicians.
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