Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. In medical terms, it is called androgenic or androgenetic alopecia. The name implies two important factors: hormones and genetics.
Men with male pattern baldness are genetically predisposed to lose their hair. Heredity programs the hair follicles to respond negatively to certain hormones in the scalp. As the follicles grow sensitive to these hormones, they start to reject them. This shrinks the follicles and causes shedding.
Only two types of hair loss treatments work for male pattern baldness: hormone blockers and hair growth stimulants. The most successful treatments address the hormone sensitivity or stimulate hair growth in spite of it. Many treatments do both.
Start Hair Loss Treatment Early
The earlier men start a hair loss regimen, the better. It is much easier to thicken existing hair than to regrow hair in bald spots. In most cases, hair cannot be restored in the hairless areas of the scalp. However, thinning hair can certainly benefit from hair loss treatment that is started early in the process.
Evaluate the Hair Loss Type and Pattern
Hair loss treatment starts with an evaluation. Androgenic alopecia occurs in several different patterns. A receding hairline, centralized hair loss on top of the head and diffuse thinning are three common hair loss patterns.
Many men use the Norwood Scale to determine their class of hair loss. Different classes respond better to different treatments. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only two medications approved for hair loss. Both are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Non-drug hair loss treatments include topical creams and lotions, herbal shampoos, nutritional supplements and other products. Hair transplants and scalp surgeries are usually recommended when the hair loss fails to respond to medications, herbal remedies and other conservative measures.
Choose a Hair Loss Treatment
Men with male pattern baldness have a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone. Also known as DHT, dihydrotestosterone is a byproduct of circulating or free testosterone.
Too much DHT can cause scalp pain, inflammation, itching and hair loss. The best treatments for male pattern baldness aim to control this hormone sensitivity and calm the scalp.
Successful treatment regimens use products that contain DHT inhibitors or blockers. They also include anti-inflammatories to reduce scalp irritations. Some treatments contain stimulants to revive the hair follicles and encourage new growth.
Restore Hair Growth Gradually
No hair loss remedy can provide overnight results. Hair loss treatment is a slow and gradual process. Hair loss products generally take a year or more to produce noticeable results. For most men, however, thicker hair is worth the time investment.
Choosing the best hair loss remedy depends on understanding hair loss and gathering the right data. Since male pattern baldness responds to only two types of treatment, the ingredients are the only things that matter. To be successful, a treatment must contain a hormone blocker or a hair growth stimulant. According to medical experts, the best products contain both ingredients.
Jake Conner has been a researcher and author for more than 11 years. Jake has made it his mission to discover solutions that can improve the lives of other people. When Jake is not researching a health related topic such as Alopecia, he spends most of his time cycling with his wife.
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