Causes of Male Pattern Hair Loss
Some people will try to explain hair loss in different ways, from washing your hair too often to using too many hair styling products to wearing a hat every day. But the cause of male pattern hair loss can typically be summed up in one word – genetics.
The cells in the parts of the scalp are programmed to begin miniaturizing the hair and make those hair follicles go away. This is usually driven by testosterone or some of the derivatives of testosterone.
How to Treat Male Pattern Hair Loss
Treatments for hair disorders are mainly focused on either improving the quality of the hair by treating the hair itself, or by stopping testosterone from affecting those hairs.
Topical, over-the-counter products such as Minoxidil, more popularly known as Rogaine, cause the hair to grow for a longer period of time. If you have short, little vellus hairs that will come up and go away very quickly, Rogaine can make those hairs become fuller, darker and more long-lasting.
Because Rogaine is widely accessible and relatively inexpensive, we sometimes recommend it for men as a treatment focused on treating the hair itself.
Propecia is an oral treatment that requires a prescription. Propecia blocks testosterone receptors to reduce the effect of testosterone. Recently, Propecia has been found to have side effects that last after treatment ends, including the loss of libido. Although this doesn’t occur very often, it is a concern that has made Propecia somewhat less popular.
On the positive, Propecia has been linked to the prevention of prostate cancer, although there is no guarantee that a man taking Propecia will not develop prostate cancer.
What We Recommend
Every man is different, and some men are more concerned about male pattern hair loss than others. Also, it’s important to understand that both of the treatments mentioned generally help hair growth in the crown and not the front of the scalp.
If you’d like to learn more about what you can do to prevent male pattern baldness, please schedule a consultation. We’ll educate you about the treatment options and possible side effects and help you determine the best course of action.
Experiencing Hair Loss? Contact us to see how we can help.