Male pattern baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia or alopecia androgenetica) is a type of hair loss which occurs when there is an underlying susceptibility of hair follicles to androgenic miniaturization. This is a very common cause of hair loss which affects a number of men (more than women) at some point in their lives. The hair line begins to decline typically at the temples and vertex balding, although for women their hairs generally begin to thin over the top of their scalps.
The male pattern baldness has an effect on more than 80% of men over the age of 40 or even younger at a point in their lives. Most men effected with this find it normal and do not see the need for treatment but if required, treatment would usually prevent further hair loss, cause hair regrowth or completely recover hair.
The cause and effects of male pattern baldness
The cause of male pattern baldness can be either genetic, male hormone, testosterone or an environmental factor may play a role. Throughout your life you have a hair growth cycle which involves new hair growth as well as shedding. Generally the following takes place in men as they begin to gradually become bald:
- The affected hair follicles on your scalp slowly develop smaller than usual.
- Your new hair becomes thinner as the follicles in your hairs shrink.
- Before your hair falls out, each new hair grows for considerably less time than 3 years or more.
- In the end all that remains are considerably smaller hair follicles and a stump of hair that no longer grows out to the skin surface of your head.
Did you know?: “Hair follicles change testosterone into another hormone called ‘dihydrotestosterone.’
Male Pattern Baldness cures/treatments
The journey of slowly loosing hair to then becoming bald is a normal part of life. Most affected men find no need to discover a treatment. But for some men baldness can be upsetting and worrying, generally because it may become excessively early in life and in this case treatment may then help.
Scalp Surgery
There is the traditional wig option (as a hair loss concealer), and lastly scalp surgery such as hair transplantation. Techniques such as scalp flaps, hair transplantation and a number of other procedures which have been used for many years now are great, but the success rates differ therefore seek advice from a doctor who specialises in hair transplants if you are considering surgery.
The business and research of hair loss treatment and prevention is extremely vast, with universal and topical therapies with varying grades of efficiency. In the USA alone it is now a multibillion-dollar industry.
Wondering how to deal with your receding hairline and bald spots? Hair building fibers (such as the ones by KeraFiber) are a good way to combat male pattern baldness, hair loss, hair thinning, and alopecia! Our hair fibers are made of natural keratin and are safe to use anytime, anywhere.
