If you’ve started to lose your hair, there’s a high chance that you’ve got a condition called androgenic alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern baldness. You’re not alone in this – according to research, over half of men over 50 will experience hair loss. Here’s our breakdown of why it happens and what you can do about it.
The main cause of male pattern baldness is genetics, especially those from the maternal side of your family. Those that inherit the genetic traits for hair loss will have hair follicles that are more sensitive to a male sex hormone called DHT. This hormone attaches to your hair follicles and causes them to shrink. When this happens, the hair shafts become finer, thinner and shorter with each growth cycle. Eventually, the hair growth cycle is stunted to the point where no hair grows at all.
Male pattern baldness can normally be noticed by a receding hairline that begins above each temple forming into an “M” shape. This process can happen as early as your teens and usually, the sooner it starts, the greater the loss of hair will be. It will be a gradual process for most and the earlier you treat it, the more likely you are to reverse its effects.
So, what are your options? Advanced surgical methods usually produce exceptional results, however, they can cost thousands of pounds in fees and surgeries are invasive and can have undesirable complications. For those that prefer affordable and effective hair loss treatment, the only two clinically proven medications are Finasteride and Minoxidil.
Finasteride works by preventing testosterone from converting into DHT (the hormone that causes hair loss) and is effective in up to 90% of men who take it at preventing further hair loss. Finasteride is most effective when used in combination with Minoxidil – this medication works by encouraging blood supply to the hair follicles, encouraging growth of stronger hair.
Male pattern baldness is very common and affects millions of people across the world. However, each case will be individual to each man. The best way to decipher what is best for you is to take a hair treatment consultation – ours is free, take it today.
