You Have Female Or Malepattern Baldness
You might already know about malepattern baldness, a type of hair loss caused by a combo of genes and male sex hormones that usually makes the hair on a man’s head recede at the temples, leaving an Mshaped hairline.
But hormone-related hairloss for femalesor femalepattern baldnessis also a thing, according to the US National Institute of Health. This type of hair loss occurs when the hair follicle shrinks so much over time that it doesn’t grow new hair. In women, the symptoms of femalepattern baldness includes a widening of the center hair part, and, sometimes, coarser hair on the face.
The only FDAapproved treatment for female and malepattern hair is minoxidil , but if that doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe oral medications such as finasteride that can halt hair loss or even cause some to grow surgery to transplant or graft hair is also an option.
What Will Happen If I Treat My Hair Loss What Are The Possible Side Effects
Minoxidil lotion: Common side effects are scalp and skin irritation. More rarely it can cause changes in hair colour and texture.
Finasteride: Noticeable side effects are uncommon, but sometimes the medicine can cause a rash, and a small proportion of users may experience reduced libido, erection problems or breast and/or nipple tenderness.
Noticeable Thinning Of Your Hair
Not all people go bald from their hairline. Some men experience whats called diffuse thinning a type of hair loss that either affects the entire scalp or specific areas like the top of the head resulting in baldness that starts from the back or top, rather than from the hairline.
Just like a receding hairline, the easiest way to spot diffuse thinning is to compare photos from different time periods.
If you notice that your hair looks thinner now than it does in photos taken several years ago, theres a chance that its the result of male pattern baldness.
Since you dont normally take photos from behind you, the easiest way to compare the level of thickness in your hair over time is to take photos every two to three months in your bathroom mirror.
If you notice the hair around your crown thinning every year, its worth taking action to prevent any further loss.
Worried about hair thinning? Here are the signs of hair thinning to look for.
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What Is The Average Age People Start Losing Hair
If youve started noticing some of your hair falling out, its natural to wonder whether its temporary or an indication of more hair loss to come. That naturally leads to the next question: when do men typically start balding?
The answer is: it depends.
While most men experience some loss of hair thickness as they get older, male pattern baldness can start at any age. When and how much you lose depends primarily on genetics, although statistics show that the likelihood of hair loss only increases with age. The following chart shows the percentage of men with noticeable hair loss at different ages.
| Age |
|---|
| 66% |
Early Signs Of Balding And How To Stop Hair Loss
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
Like most signs of aging, androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, doesnt happen overnight. In fact, for most men, going bald is a gradual process.
One of the keys to stopping hair loss is learning about the common signs of baldness and taking action as early as possible. Simply put, the earlier you take action to prevent hair loss, the more hair youll be able to save.
Unfortunately, identifying hair loss isnt always easy. With many myths about balding circling the internet, it is easy to mistake normal hair loss for male pattern baldness.
Luckily, there are some real signs of male pattern baldness that you can use to identify and deal with hair loss. Learn about hair loss treatments from Hims.
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Treatment Options For Androgenetic Alopecia
Melissa C. Jones, PharmD, BCPSAssistant Dean for AdmissionsSavannah, Georgia
US Pharm. 2018 43:12-16.
ABSTRACT: Androgenetic alopecia , or male pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in men. There are several therapies available for the treatment of this condition, with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and minoxidil most commonly used. Other current treatment options include laser therapy, scalp microneedling, hair mesotherapy, and hair transplantation. The development of new pharmacologic therapies has been slow however, research is currently being conducted using Janus kinase inhibitors and autologous platelet-rich plasma injections in men with AGA.
Androgenetic alopecia , or male pattern baldness, is a common condition that causes many men to seek medical attention. It is characterized by hair follicles that gradually decrease in size and lead to baldness over time. AGA affects approximately 80% of Caucasian males. Although it is common in men of different ethnic backgrounds, Caucasian males are affected more frequently.1 Traditionally, pharmacologic treatment of AGA targets decreasing dihydrotestosterone and stimulating hair follicles through the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or minoxidil however, new and experimental therapies are exploring inhibition of Janus kinase and the use of platelet-rich plasma . Other therapies include laser therapy, scalp microneedling, hair mesotherapy, and hair transplantation.1
And There’s Nothing Wrong With A Bald Head
Were all about taking action when it comes to dealing with hair loss but when your hair loss becomes so extensive that you dont have many options, such as those weve talked about above, then shaving your head is OK.
The good news is, if youre bald youll probably be able to grow a nice thick beard, and the two go hand-in-hand. After all, the bald look by itself is pretty bland, but when you pair it with a beard, it takes on a different and much better look.
Now, like a patchy beard, a bald hairstyle will look better shorter. Some guys choose to go completely bald on the entire head and that can require a little more maintenance than a stubble style. The other advantage of the stubble bald look is if you wear a hat, others won’t be able to tell you are thin up top. Other considerations of balding will be to grow a beard out and to accessorize with sunglasses or hats which we talked about in this video on bald style techniques.
With that, hopefully you are well prepared to tackle your hair loss journey. Don’t worry about it as most guys will deal with it in some shape. It sucks because it’s out of our control, but many obstacles in life are. Hair or no hair, you’ll still be able to find your soulmate, find friends, get a job, and live a long and healthy life.
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More Options For Managing Hair Loss
Were all about taking action when it comes to dealing with hair loss. By that, we mean dont just throw up your hands and say, Theres nothing I can do about my hair loss! Its like when you have a cavity in a tooth you dont sit back and live with it, but you go to the dentist, change your brushing and flossing routine, and so on.
Taking action when experiencing balding and hair loss means finding a hairstyle that works with thinning hair. It also means integrating products into your life such as Rogaine that slow down hair loss and may even generate new hair growth. It also means making due with what you have in terms of your specific kind of hair loss.
But taking action doesnt mean shaving your head at the first sign of balding. Dont do it. Theres nothing wrong with shaving your head if youve experienced significant thinning or balding, but theres no need to when you first notice hair loss. So, be part of hair thinning men who are proactive.
When To See A Doctor
See your doctor if you dont see any progress with the use of home or over-the-counter treatments for thinning hair, especially if your hair loss is causing you stress or disrupting your daily life.
Seek medical help as soon as possible if you notice any of the following along with thinning hair:
- losing large amounts of hair elsewhere on your body
- losing hair in large patches or chunks
- losing or gaining an abnormal amount of weight without any major diet or lifestyle changes
- unusual symptoms like fever, chills, or fatigue
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Microneedling And Hair Transplantation
Microneedling has gained popularity and has been found to be beneficial in stimulating hair regrowth in alopecia. It was previously used for cosmetic purposes and is now used to improve topical drug delivery. Microneedling uses multiple fine needles, generally attached to a roller, to create tiny punctures in the skin that stimulate neovascularization, release growth factors, and promote the expression of Wnt proteins. Hair growth is a result of the release of certain growth factors and activation of the hair bulge, and Wnt proteins have been found to stimulate dermal papillae stem cells, leading to hair growth. Microneedling is generally used in conjunction with topical therapy such as minoxidil and it has been used with PRP. Studies assessing the efficacy of microneedling in conjunction with topical minoxidil are small, but some have reported statistically significant results.
Results from other studies are varied however, it appears that microneedling may increase penetration of topical drugs into the scalp, thereby promoting effectiveness.10 This may be something for providers to consider in those patients in whom traditional topical therapy has been ineffective.
What Are The Symptoms Of Male
Male-pattern baldness is so called because it tends to follow a set pattern. The first stage is usually a receding hairline, followed by thinning of the hair on the crown and temples.
When these 2 areas meet in the middle, it leaves a horseshoe shape of hair around the back and sides of the head. Eventually, some men go completely bald.
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What Causes A Balding Crown
A balding crown is one of the most common and recognisable signs of male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia, as it is medically known. This is a condition that many men experience at any age. Despite the association with older gents, this most common type of hair loss can strike early too.
MPB is caused by the presence of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a powerful androgen that is converted from testosterone. While that is part of a natural biological process, this DHT can cause problematic side effects. Your hair follicles, for example, are sensitive to it and, in its presence, these can shrink, weaken, and stop producing new hair altogether.
Predictably enough, the follicles that are most sensitive to DHT are at the hairline and you guessed it at the crown. Those that sit at the side and back of your head are much more resistant to DHT.
Importantly, though, DHT doesnt mean that your bald spot becomes squeaky clean immediately. Rather, your hair thins slowly and may ultimately connect with a receding hairline to uncover the whole of the top of the head. This comes with time, though and you do have time to catch it before the game is up.
Things You Should Know About Male Hair Loss
Answers to male hair loss questions you need to ask
If you’re one of the 25 per cent of men who start going bald by the time they are 30 years old, things can seem pretty hopeless. However, if your hair is ending up in the plug hole each morning, it may not be as bad as you think.
For a start, University of Manchester researchers, writing in PLOS Biology, claimed a drug originally intended to treat osteoporosis could eventually provide a cure for baldness.
While we’re all waiting for that, and before you go to the expense of paying for a hair transplant, take a look at our list of the ten things you need to know about losing your hair. Follow these rules and you just might keep your untamed locks for a while longer yet.
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You’re Getting Too Much Vitamin A
Overdoing vitamin A-containing supplements or medications can trigger hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Just FYI: The Daily Value for vitamin A is 5,000 International Units per day for adults and kids over age 4 supplements can contain 2,500 to 10,000 IU. So any more than that and you could risk some strands falling out.
The good news: This is also a reversible cause of hair loss, and once the excess vitamin A is halted, hair should start growing normally again.
Other Treatments For Hair Loss
These are the most common solutions for balding that deal directly with cosmetically or physically altering your appearance:
- Hair Transplants. Anesthesia is given during this surgery where healthy hair follicles from a particular body part called the donor site are moved to the balding parts. This process is surgical, it can take many procedures before results become permanent, because hair loss still occurs several times before the skin grows more hair permanently. And the recovery time can be extensive. Its also expensive, but results can be done quickly.
- Wigs. These are a more temporary solution but less expensive and versatile. Wigs that are synthetic are generally cheaper when compared to human hair wigs. Human hair wigs look more natural and are easier to style and maintain because polymers hold the structure longer and better under natural fibers.
- Hats. Many men tend to wear hats as the most comfortable, versatile and least expensive way to manage their hair loss with zero side effects.
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Male Pattern Hair Loss
For the treatment of hair loss, it is necessary to determine what the problem is. This loss is known as Androgenetic Alopecia in medical language. In particular, male pattern hair loss is due to hormonal reasons, which genetic predisposition is effective. However, in male pattern hair loss that progresses suddenly and progresses very rapidly, the patient is evaluated in terms of androgenic disorders. 80% of hair loss in people is due to male pattern shedding. In general, hair loss in men starts on the top of the head and the front line disappears over time.
When Hair Loss First Starts
Many guys first notice hair loss as a receding hair line. This can happen even if you have thick hair. But its most noticeable in men who already have a V-shaped hairline. The more dramatic the V, the more pronounced your hair loss will appear.
At the early phases of hair loss, a bit of length can help minimize the appearance of hair loss. If you dont have wavy hair on your own, the right styling product – like our texturizing pomade – can help make up for a little thinning.
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