Male Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)

Hair loss can be distressing since it can lead to low self-esteem and embarrassment in this image-conscious society. The journey to a voluminous mane can be overwhelming. Hair loss is a common concern, irrespective of age and gender. Several factors like genetics, hormonal imbalance, stress, certain diseases, side effects of medications, and other environmental factors can cause hair loss. This article will focus on the “Male pattern hair loss” that occurs in men. This type of hair loss occurs in different stages that can begin as early as 30 years of age. Earlier, male pattern hair loss was treated with the help of medications and hair transplant surgery. However, with the advancement in science and technology, doctors offer PRP therapy, which is minimally invasive and has been trending.

Let us explore male pattern hair loss, its stages, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and effective treatment modalities. 

What is Male Pattern Hair Loss?

Male pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia, is a type of hair loss that affects men. It weakens the hair follicles, which can cause hair loss from your head (scalp) without the growth of new hair. Usually, you may lose around 100 strands of hair daily, which is normal since new hair grows back. However, when new hair growth is delayed or inhibited, and you continue to lose hair, it becomes a cause of concern.

Male pattern hair loss is common, affecting one in every two males over 40. In male pattern hair loss, you may experience hair thinning and a receding hairline (the hairline moves farther back on your head).

What Are the Stages of Male Pattern Hair Loss?

According to the Hamilton-Norwood scale, there are seven male pattern hair loss stages. These include: 

• Stage 1: There is no noticeable hair loss or significant hairline recession.
• Stage 2: There is a slight loss of hair near the skin on your temples (area between your forehead and ears)
• Stage 3: There is a deep hairline recession around your temples. Your hairline may appear “M” or “U” in shape.
• Stage 4: There is a deep hairline recession with loss of hair in your crown (top of the head)
• Stage 5: The hairline recession is so severe that it connects the bald spot on your crown.
• Stage 6: The hair between your temples and crown is completely lost.
• Stage 7: There is no hair on your entire crown area. However, you may have a thin band of hair around the side of your head.

What Causes Male Pattern Hair Loss?

Male pattern hair loss is usually a genetic condition (hereditary). You may inherit the condition from your parents, which is associated with a male sex hormone, namely androgen. Hair follicles have a specific growth cycle. This is usually disturbed in male pattern baldness when the follicles weaken and shrink, producing shorter and thinner hair. Eventually, the growth cycle for each hair ends, and no new hair grows in its place.

Certain risk factors can increase your susceptibility to develop male pattern baldness, including:

Age 

• Hair loss may begin as early as 25 years of age and may advance and occur rapidly by the age of 50 years, when there is 70% hair loss. 

Hormonal imbalance

• An imbalance in androgens, namely dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a group of male sex hormones, can lead to hair loss in men.
• An increase in DHT activity can predispose you to hair loss.

Harmful Chemicals

• Hair gels and serums may sometimes contain harmful toxins that can damage your hair follicles.

Autoimmune Conditions

• These include conditions like alopecia areata that cause hair loss when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, damaging the hair follicles. 

Certain Medical Treatments 

• Radiation and chemotherapy can damage your follicles and cause hair fall.

Stress

• Though there is no direct link between stress and hair loss in men, it can still trigger temporary hair loss. 

What Are the Symptoms of Male Pattern Hair Loss?

Hair loss is not sudden; it may take years to lose hair, which follows a certain pattern. You may lose hair gradually. 

Symptoms of male pattern hair loss include:

• Thinning of the hair near your temples
• Thinning of the hair or complete loss on your crown that appears in a circular shape
• Receding hairline giving an “M” or a “U” shaped appearance

Psychological symptoms of male pattern hair loss include:

• Low self-esteem
• Feeling of hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Depression 

How Can Doctors Diagnose Male Pattern Hair Loss?

Male pattern hair loss can be easily diagnosed by your dermatologist (a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases or conditions related to your skin, hair, and nails). Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and record your medical and family history. This will help them analyze if the condition runs in your family.

Furthermore, your doctor will clinically examine your head and scalp using a special densitometer tool. This measures the thickness of your hair follicles to assess the areas of hair thinning or baldness. A biopsy (a tissue sample taken from the scalp and studied under a microscope) may be needed to rule out skin disease causing hair loss. 

How Can Male Pattern Hair Loss Be Treated?

Dermatologists can recommend any one of the following treatment options based on the severity:

Styling Techniques

• You may hide areas of baldness with the help of wigs or hair weaves.

Medications

Minoxidil

• This is an over-the-counter medication, usually the first line of treatment for male pattern hair loss.
• It is a foam or liquid solution that increases blood flow to the scalp and stimulates hair growth.

Finasteride 

• This is a prescription medication taken orally, which reduces levels of male hormones that cause male pattern baldness.
• This has a higher success rate than minoxidil.

Hair Transplant Surgery

• This procedure involves extracting healthy hair follicles using skin grafts and moving (transplanting) them to areas of baldness.

Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

• Your doctor will remove your blood sample and extract PRP that is rich in growth factors. 
• PRP is injected into your scalp to stimulate hair growth in areas of baldness. 

Conclusion 

Male pattern hair loss is a common condition affecting males as they age. It presents with thinning hair or areas of baldness near your temples or crown, with a receding hairline. 

If you notice any signs of thinning or loss of hair that is taking a toll on your mental health, consult your dermatologist immediately!