Typically, at first the hair begins to recede (thin) at the front. At the same time, the hair usually becomes thin on the top of the head. A bald patch gradually develops in the middle of the scalp. The receding front, and the bald patch on the top gradually enlarge and join together.
A rim of hair is often left around the back and sides of the scalp. In some men, this rim of hair also thins and goes to leave a completely bald scalp.
Nearly all men have some baldness by the time they are in their 60s. However, the age the hair loss starts is variable. About three in ten 30 year olds, and half of 50 year olds are quite bald. Some women also develop a similar pattern of hair loss.
There are a number of reasons why men start to go bald, but if you are a man between the ages of about 20 to 45 and you start to lose scalp hair, then the chances are 95 per cent certain that you are experiencing male pattern baldness. As the term suggests, male pattern baldness follows a typical sequence or pattern. Hair loss can start in different areas but is usually at the temples and/or on the crown of the head. Initial thinning of hair progresses over a number of years and may lead to total baldness but more typically loss of hair over the top surface of the head.
To become gradually bald is a normal part of the ageing process for most men. No treatment is wanted or needed by most affected men. For some men, baldness can be distressing, particularly if it is excessive or occurs early in life. Treatment may then help.
Currently there are two medicines that help - finasteride (trade name Propecia) and minoxidil (trade name Regaine). Neither are available on the NHS, so you need to pay the full price for them.
Finasteride was launched in the UK in 2002, although it has been available in the US since 1997. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. The hair follicles are then not affected by this hormone, and can enlarge back to normal.
Techniques such as hair transplantation, scalp flaps, and other procedures have been used for a number of years. Success rates vary and a specialist opinion is needed if surgery is considered. It is expensive and not available on the NHS.
Some hair re-growth occurs in about 2 in 3 men who take a finisteride tablet each day. In about 1 in 3 men there there is no hair re-growth, but most do not have any further hair loss whilst taking finasteride. It has no effect in about 1 in 100 men. So, if you take finasteride, you have a good chance that hair will re-grow, or at least stop any further hair loss.
Male Pattern Baldness Causes
Are you a man who has thinning hair, and you are worried about where it is leading? Well, join millions of other men who endure hair loss each year. There are a plethora of reasons for hair loss, all which relate to specific physiological reactions. One of the most well-known hair-loss problems is known as male pattern baldness.
Learning about male pattern baldness and its implications will help you to get a handle on your own situation. Finding possible remedies that can help stem the loss of hair, or renew hair follicles will depend on you doing some research. Most men find that their hair thins with age, and depending on several factors, this process could lead to baldness in the center or the entire scalp. It is not a pleasant problem to have, but it is not something you face alone, either.
If you are in the initial stages of male pattern baldness, you can relate it to a combination of things. Looking at the causes may help you begin to find a solution, though not every case will have a corresponding solution.
Family genes are the most common culprit of male pattern baldness. Blame your ancestors once again! As we age, dihyrdo-testosterone can impact our hormone balance. Increased hair thinning can be a result of these complex interactions of chemicals in our bodies.
Testosterone changes as we age, and although scientists have not completely sorted out all of the specific cause and effect relationships between hormones and baldness, they continue to work on the problem. Our bodies normally produce enzymes that help hair grow. However, as we age, and as testosterone changes in composition, it can interact with these enzymes, leading to negative effect on hair growth.
If you are rapidly losing your hair you should consult a health care provider. There are a variety of diseases that can result in hair loss. With this type of baldness, you may find that your hair is falling out in clumps. This is not considered an indication of male pattern baldness and should be addressed as quickly as possible.
On the other hand, if your situation does point to male pattern baldness, then you will likely want to consider some of the various treatments that are available. Some of them can slow thinning, and encourage regrowth of hair in areas that have begun to go bald. Doing some research about various options will help you to see if an effective treatment might exist for your particular situation. Remember that male pattern baldness is a common hormonal and genetic condition that millions of men worldwide face each year.
But be warned that there is a long history of charlatans and cheats operating in the hair loss treatment industry. So be careful about accepting claims of unknown products or companies. Check with friends or family members who have experience with male pattern baldness, and tread carefully.
Both Redmund & Marlene Baliss are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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