Male pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss that occurs in men. This condition is a natural part of the aging process for millions of men. Nonetheless, unexpected or premature hair loss can point to a more serious underlying condition that may require treatment.
Are you experiencing hair thinning, bald spots, or a receding hairline? These effects can cause psychological distress and result in a loss of self-esteem that could contribute to depression, anxiety, and emotional stress. Effective hair restoration treatments exist, which include hair transplants, oral medications, topical creams, and laser and light therapies.
Despite the effects of losing one’s hair, you can focus on ways to feel more confident about the way you look.
Male pattern baldness is the cause of about 95% of cases of hair loss in men. Referred to as androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness occurs as hormone levels change as a male ages. Besides hormone levels, males naturally lose hair from other factors such as genetics and the aging process.
Genetics can promote the likelihood of male pattern baldness. Genetics can also contribute to hair follicles, the tiny cavities in the skin at the base of the hair, gradually shrinking. As a result, hair grows shorter and finer until, eventually, no new hairs grow.
All cases of male pattern baldness are different. While some men may have a receding hairline above their forehead, others may develop a bald spot on the crown of their head. Others may lose hair on top of their heads.
Male pattern baldness typically begins at the hairline and recedes, or moves backward, and creates an M-shaped hairline. As time goes on, hair gets thinner, finer, and shorter, ultimately resulting in a U-shape, or horseshoe pattern, of hair at the sides of the head.
You may be able to address your hair loss once you understand its causes. Learn more about the science behind male pattern baldness.
Some medical professionals believe sex hormones contribute significantly to male pattern baldness. This condition is linked to significantly high levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which comprises a class of male sex hormones known as androgen. Having high amounts of androgen can result in increased hair growth in addition to making you lose hair more rapidly and earlier.
DHT can pair up with hair follicle receptors in the scalp, which can result in them shrinking and producing fewer hairs. When the DHT-sensitive follicles produce fewer hairs, the area of the scalp with these types of follicles appears to thin out. Eventually, these follicles will produce thinner, shorter, and finer hairs, or they quit producing hair completely.
High levels of androgens that include DHT can shrink hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle. This phenomenon can also lengthen the time required for the follicles to grow any new hairs once the old hairs drop out.
While some medical professionals believe sensitivity to DHT contributes to male pattern hair loss, treatments are available which can decrease the incidence of male pattern baldness by specifically targeting DHT. These treatments can make you feel more confident and bring back lost self-esteem.
Do you find yourself losing hair at a rate faster than you were before? Talk with a hair transplant specialist to discuss the underlying cause that disrupts the stages of hair growth.
If you’re experiencing male pattern baldness, you don’t have to lose hope. Several treatment options exist for male pattern baldness.
The treatment plan to address androgenetic alopecia depends on the extent of hair loss and quality of hair at the donor site. When you set reasonable expectations of how to address your hair loss, you can work to achieve solutions that will work for your needs.
Have you already tried taking minoxidil and didn’t receive any significant results? Talk to your doctor about another alternative to address your hair loss, such as finasteride. However, if neither of these treatments help to restore your hairline, then seek help from a skilled, experienced hair restoration specialist. Your specialist may recommend hair transplant surgery, such as follicular unit extraction, or scalp micropigmentation.
The Hair Transplant Center – Dallas can evaluate your concerns before suggesting hair transplant surgery. Simply complete our request form, provide your contact information and health history, and upload photos.
If you’re ready to achieve a youthful, natural-looking appearance, explore our treatment options for your hair restoration journey. If you’ve found yourself searching for a hair transplant Dallas specialist, contact us at The Hair Transplant Center – Dallas.
Schedule an initial consultation with our hair transplant surgeon, who can recommend a specific hair loss treatment or approximate cost. We invite you to schedule a consultation today to learn how to achieve the results you want to address your hair loss.