What Is Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness is the common type of hair loss that develops in a high percentage of men at some stage in their lives. The condition is sometimes called androgenetic alopecia. Depending on the case, it takes 15-25 years to go bald. However, some men go bald in as little as five years.
It affects over half of men over the age of 50 to some extent and most men at some stage in their lives. Some of the men affected don’t choose to have any treatment at all. It’s often down to personal preference
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What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
One cause of male pattern baldness is genetics. Often people with this type of baldness find that it runs in their family.
Research has found that the MPB is associated with male sex hormones called androgens. The androgens are responsible for regulating hair growth. With the MPB the growth cycle of the hairs on your head weakens and the hair follicle shrinks, producing shorter and finer strands of hair. Eventually, the growth cycle for each hair ends and no new hair grows in its place.
Inherited male pattern baldness usually doesn’t create any medical or health problems to the sufferer. However, sometimes baldness has more serious causes. If you’re concerned there might be a different cause to your hair loss it’s always good to see your GP and discuss it with them.
Who is affected?
Male pattern baldness can sometimes begin in teenagers, and people in their early 20s. More commonly, however it occurs in adult men, with the likelihood increasing with age. As it is often genetic, men who have close relatives with male pattern baldness are at a higher risk. This is particularly true when their relatives are on the maternal side of the family.
Do I have male pattern baldness?
If your hair loss begins at the temples or the crown of the head, you may have male pattern baldness. Some men will get a single bald spot. Others experience their hairlines receding to form an “M” shape.
Ways to deal with hair loss
Medical treatment isn’t necessary if other health conditions aren’t a cause. However, there are lots of options for men who are unhappy with the way they look and would like the appearance of a fuller head of hair.
Style it out
Men with limited hair loss can sometimes hide hair loss with the right haircut or hairstyle. Ask your hairstylist for a creative cut that will make thinning hair look fuller.
Wigs and Hairpieces
Wigs can cover thinning hair, receding hairlines, and complete baldness. They come in a variety of styles, colors, and textures. Professional wig stylists can help style and fit wigs for a more natural look.
During the past two decades, new techniques and improvements have occurred in hair transplant. Nowadays, hairs can be re-planted to follow the direction of the individual’s natural growth pattern via micro and mini graft techniques.
The FUE technique involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the scalp, and grafting them directly onto the bald and thinning areas of your head. Although the transplanting principle sounds the same as previous techniques, the FUE technique achieves a more natural look without leaving any scars.
