Male Pattern Baldness and Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness and hair loss affects nearly 70% of all men by the time they are 50 years old. Almost 17% of the male population experiences MPB (male pattern baldness) by the time they are 35 years old. Though androgenic alopecia is rarely seen in females, when it does occur it is generally cause more by hormone imbalances,than a genetic predisposition.

Of the different types of male pattern baldness and hair loss problems in men, most can usually be defined as a thinning and balding pattern starting just above the temples. it then typically begins to thin out and eventually bald the crown area of the scalp. In the final stages of male pattern baldness, only a rim of hair remains along the rear and sides of the scalp. A rare condition of male pattern baldness includes a total loss of hair on the head.

Androgens are the main root cause of most male pattern baldness. Dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT, are the natural triggers to normal male sexual development beginning at the time just before birth through puberty. The specific hormones not only regulate hair growth on the heads of males, but also all hair growth all over his body, in addition to promoting is sexual drive.

Typically male pattern baldness and hair loss is due to a sensitivity of hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone. When this occurs, the hair follicle shrink at its base, weakening the root of the hair. In time, this reduces the lifespan of the follicle and ultimately makes it go dormant. While it is critical to understand that ancestral genetics play a key rolein the development of androgenic alopecia, it is also known that lifestyle choices can greatly aggravate your condition and effectively make it run its cycle quicker.

Generally, men can overcome their typical male pattern baldness and hair loss or at least diminish it by eating a healthy well-balanced traditional diet full of fruits and vegetables. Exercise also plays an important role in diminishing or reducing the effects of hair loss. To force the situation of eating the correct foods, it might be important to consider taking an all-natural herbal supplement to guarantee you are getting the right essential nutrients.

In addition to using an all-natural Male pattern baldness and hair loss treatment, many over-the-counter topical cream and gel medications are available. Medicine such as Minoxidil and Propecia are two effective products they can externally stimulating follicle hair stimulation. Both the proven to be highly beneficial to balding men and women.

With today's medical advances men no longer have to suffer from Male pattern baldness and hair loss. With many of the clinical breakthroughs of hair rejuvenation and restoration, men can find effective treatment options to allow them positive hair re-growth.

Tag :  male pattern baldness,hair loss,baldness

Do You Have the Male Pattern Baldness Gene?

Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men and surprisingly one of the most common seen in women. It's impact is seen in as many as nine out of ten men and one out of every four women who experience permanent progressive balding.

The male pattern baldness gene can be acquired from either side of the family tree and noticeable hair loss can begin as early as the teenage years. While teen balding is possible it is not considered to be the norm. For women carrying the male pattern baldness gene onset is generally experienced much later in life but once again exceptions do apply.

For men carrying the male pattern baldness gene the progression of the condition is unmistakable with hair loss beginning at the forehead or on the top of the head toward the back. Some men are lucky and only have experience the standard and expected receding hair line along with a small bald spot on the crown. The balding occurs in an M shaped pattern.

Others, especially those who started to notice hair loss early in life will likely lose all of the hair on top of the head but retain hair on the sides and back. While some will discount the importance of hair that is spared from the ravages of male and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) others will recognize its importance, especially if hair transplant surgery is to be attempted sometime in the future.

For women carrying the male pattern baldness gene the pattern is not quite so distinguishable. The most common type is recognized as a general and balanced thinning with the hair line staying intact. Another less often seen pattern follows that of their male counterparts where severe thinning is seen on the top of the head with hair remaining intact on the sides. The number one rule for women who suspect they may have the male pattern baldness gene it to consult your doctor to rule out other possible causes such as menopause or medical causes such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

For both men and women carrying the male pattern baldness gene, whose hair loss is severe, surgical procedures are available and can produce excellent results under the right set of circumstances. In these procedures hair is transplanted from the back of the head to the thinning frontal areas. Hair transplant surgery is expensive often running well over $10,000. Insurance doesn't cover these procedures making them a large out of pocket expense.

For many the cost simply puts surgical procedures out of their grasp. The good news is there are a number of low cost oral and topical treatments that work well, especially in cases where those with the male pattern baldness gene have recognized the magnitude of their dilemma early, before severe follicle damage has occurred.

Tell me more! There are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for both men and women) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated treatments can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.

Tag :  male pattern baldness,baldness,gene

Hair Loss - Male Pattern Baldness Specifics

There are a number of different reasons why men lose hair. Some hair loss can be caused by the stress created from a particular hairstyle, like tight braids or ponytails. Some can be the result of illness or stress. And some hair loss is caused by hormone problems such as a thyroid condition. But the vast majority of hair loss in men between the ages of 20 and 50 is the result ofmale pattern baldness.

There are between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on the average human head. These hairs grow from hair follicles, a sheath like construction that contains the hair as well as supporting structures to provide nourishment for the hair. The hair growth cycle consists of a growth phase and a resting phase. At any one time about 90 % of hair is in the growth phase, which lasts from 2 to 5 years; and the other 10% is in the resting phase, which lasts from 2 to 4 months. When the resting phase is over, the hair in that follicle falls out and is replaced by a new hair. On a normal day about 100 hairs a day are lost. When this loss occurs at an elevated rate, or the growth cycle is shortened, balding results.
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While there are unknowns about the cause of male pattern baldness, it does seem to follow a familiar course. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is just that: hair loss in men that follows a pattern. Approximately 25% of men begin going bald by age 30 while 66% begin by age 60. Typically balding starts at the temples and, or the crown of the head, and continues receding until the hair on top part of the head is completely lost. The thinning process can last for several years and will occasionally result in the complete loss of head hair - but usually ends up in the familiar horseshoe shaped hair one often sees.
 
The culprit in this genetically controlled disorder appears to be the effect of an enzyme on male hormones, which disrupts the function of hair follicles. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase causes the male hormone testosterone to convert into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT acts on the follicles hormone receptor cells in a way that causes them to shrink, and gradually produce finer and shorter hairs until production stops altogether. The growth cycle will gradually shorten so that more hairs than normal are shed. There are high levels of testosterone in males after puberty, which increase the size of follicles in other body areas leading to pubic and facial hair; but for some men, it operates in the opposite way with some of the follicles on the head.

While at one time it was believed that the mother's side of the family decided someone's eventual baldness fate: it can come from either side of one's parentage. All factors involving one's pattern hair loss - the onset of baldness, the pattern of it, and the speed with which it progresses appear to be genetically predetermined. Those who experience the onset of balding earliest in life, tend to be the one's who wind up with the most extensive hair loss.

There are approved remedies available for hair loss, which have produced positive results in some men. Minoxidil is a topical medication used originally to treat high blood pressure, and used by many to stop male pattern baldness, and promote new growth. It has a very high success rate in stopping hair loss (90%) and can grow new hair in about 20% of those who use it. Its use must be continued, or hair loss will resume, and all new hair will fall out. It is available in both 2% and 5% solutions.

Finasteride - which is an oral medication originally prescribed for enlarged prostates - is now used to treat male pattern baldness. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, and so prevents the effect of DHT on hair follicles. It has been shown to effectively stop hair loss and for some men, and to help them grow new hair. It too must be continued for life. Also, finasteride should not be taken or handled by women of childbearing age, as it has been proven to cause birth defects.

At the present time these are the only 2 medications with FDA approval for the treatment of male pattern baldness. There are others that are under consideration and that are being tested. Research continues to find even better treatments for male pattern baldness.


Tag : male pattern baldness,baldness,hair loss,specifics

Male Pattern Baldness Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

In simple terms, male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is the loss of hair resulting in decreasing coverage of the scalp. The main symptoms of male pattern baldness are a receding of the hairline at the temples to the left and right of the forehead and later, a bald spot at the crown which expands with time.

Who is at risk of suffering from male pattern baldness?

This problem can strike any man at any time, although many men first become aware of it as they approach their thirties. Even if a man reaches his fortieth birthday with a full head of hair, he can still fall victim to male pattern baldness. In fact as many as two-thirds of all men will eventually be affected by male pattern baldness so you can see, it is a very common issue.

There are racial differences however, the highest instances of males pattern baldness are found among Caucasians, this is followed by the Afro-Caribbeans, Chinese and Japanese men have the lowest rates of male pattern baldness and for some reason, as yet unknown, this form of hair loss does not occur among Native Americans.

Male pattern baldness is inherited. It is passed down through the family and it does not matter who's side of the family it is on. If your grandfather, father or brothers went bald early, the chances are, you will too but by far the strongest influence is on your mother's side: if your maternal grandfather went bald, you will almost definitely follow in his footsteps.

What is the cause of male pattern baldness

Testosterone or more specifically, the converted sex hormone DHT or dihydrotestosterone is the main cause of balding in men. Male pattern baldness is caused by a reaction between DHT and the sensitive hair follicles on the head.

DHT has many important functions in the body. It is responsible for the sexual development of the fetus in the womb. It is instrumental in deciding whether a fetus becomes male or female. It is responsible for such male characteristics as the deepening of the vocal chords, the development of male hair patterns on the body and face and the male sex drive.

How can I prevent male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness can be treated by a trichologist. There are a number of different natural treatments that can be applied to the scalp to reduce further hair loss and encourage regrowth. The key factor is treating the problem at the earliest point possible.

What treatments are available?

Natural hair loss treatment - When you first see the signs of hair loss, usually a receding hairline, start a course of treatment straight away. This will enable you to achieve the best results and retain as much of your natural hair as possible.

Surgical hair loss treatment - In the UK most hair surgeons use grafts, which involve transferring skin from the hair-bearing area at the back of the head to the bald parts at the front. Hair grafts work because the section of skin transferred retains its own characteristics rather than acquiring those of the area to which it is transferred.

When considering surgery, you must remember that your hair loss could well continue around the reconstructed areas. This may look unsightly unless you're prepared to invest in further surgery in a few years time.

Hair surgery is a medical procedure so choose your surgeon carefully, preferably via personal recommendation or through the Institute of Trichologists. They should carry one or more of the following qualifications:

• FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons)
• BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
• BACS (British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons

How can I help myself?

Making changes in your hair care routine, lifestyle and diet may help minimise the appearance of hair loss. Treat your remaining hair with care. Most people are too rough with it, brushing it in a hurry or heating it to very high temperatures in order to achieve a certain look. Use a comb, not a brush and avoid tightly fitting caps or hats.

Some shampoos and other hair cosmetics can make your hair look thicker and fuller and some hairstyles can minimise the contrast between balding and non-balding areas. Long hair has the opposite effect and can be quite aging too.

Include lots of protein in your diet, especially if you are vegan or vegetarian as giving up meat can promote hair loss in some individuals. Ensure that you eat a good diet, rich in nutrients including iron, which can be found in foods such as liver, eggs and green vegetables.

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The Causes and Treatments For Male Pattern Baldness

Hair Thinning and Baldness in Men
Male pattern baldness can occur at any time. Many men first notice the signs of hair thinning and baldness as they approach their 30's. Male pattern baldness usually develops gradually, involving the appearance of a bald spot on the crown of the scalp accompanied by thinning at the temples.

Causes of male pattern baldness
Baldness can occur for numerous reasons. It is popular belief that the male sex hormone testosterone plays a major part in male pattern baldness. While this is true, the relation testosterone has to this is complicated and regularly misunderstood. Testosterone is converted by the body into DHT. The concentration of DHT in the blood does not play a direct contributing factor to hair loss. Research suggests that male pattern baldness is actually caused by an over sensitivity of the scalps hair follicles, this is a reaction to the hormone DHT. This goes against the popular belief that bald men have lost their hair because they have more testosterone.

Both men and women produce testosterone and DHT. It should come as no surprise that female hair loss is also common, although this is more common in men due to the fact that androgens occur in much higher concentrations in males.

Male pattern baldness can be hereditary. Despite common perception, however, familial baldness patterns are not reliable as reliable as often professed. The fact that your parent or grandparent exhibited a given pattern does not guarantee your hair loss development will be the same.

Facts about male pattern baldness
If you are suffering from hair thinning or male pattern baldness then the good news is that you are not alone. It is predicted that 2/3 of men will ultimately experience hair loss. The highest rates of hair loss are found amongst Caucasians. Chinese and Japanese men have the lowest rates, although this male pattern baldness does not occur at all amongst Native Americans. The reasons for this are unknown.

Psychological effects of hair loss in men
Suffering from baldness can have psychological consequences that significantly diminish quality of life. Experiencing any type of hair loss can be very distressing. Nobody wishes to lose their hair, you still feel youthful but your hair is saying otherwise. In a recent research study it was found that 85% of men suffering from losing their hair were preoccupied with the loss. They experienced feelings of vulnerability and jealousy of men with full healthy heads of hair. Premature loss of hair amongst men is described to be even more distressing; men who experience hair loss in their early 20's are much more likely to have issues with low self-esteem.

Treating Baldness in Men
The bad news is that there is no miracle cure for male pattern baldness, there are however many drugs and surgical treatments available which can lead to great improvements or even the re growth of hair. Making changes in your hair care system and overall lifestyle can also help minimise the appearance of male pattern baldness and prevent further thinning and loss of hair.
Browsing our pages you will find a huge collection of information about all of the treatments, products, remedies and surgical treatments available to you to help treat hair loss. All of the information we provide is completely free.

Tag :  male pattern baldness,male pattern baldness treatments,pattern baldness

Male Pattern Baldness - Signs, Causes & Treatments

Male pattern baldness, also called androgenetic or androgenic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in males. More than 50% of males, over 50 years old will be affected by it. Whether a person is affected or not will depend on their gene pool. If the baldness gene exists in either or both parents, there is a strong likelihood that the male child will display signs of male pattern baldness  at some stage in their lifetime.

What are the signs of male pattern baldness?
The first sign an individual will see of the onset of male pattern baldness is a recession of their hairline, to the left and right of centre and a simultaneous gradual thinning to an area at the top of the scalp. In time, a greater recession at the hairline and a widening of the balding area atop the scalp will result in these two areas eventually meeting to create a Friar Tuck style ring of remaining hair to the sides and back of the head. This in turn will further reduce, resulting, ultimately in a completely bald head. What causes male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness is the result of a disruption to the normal growth cycle of the hair, caused by the actions of hormones or androgens on sensitive hair follicles.

These androgens are naturally produced chemicals that are carried around in the bloodstream. They attach themselves to certain, sensitive hair follicles causing them to shrink and choke off the hair. The follicles then continue to shrink and as a result, are no longer able to produce hair.

Can male pattern baldness be prevented?
There is no universal reaction to male pattern baldness. Every man reacts to it in his own way, some accept it as a natural part of the aging process, choosing to modify their hair styles accordingly whilst others regard even the prospect of losing their hair with abject horror. The key to preventing male pattern baldness from stripping you of your hair is to act quickly. If it is caught early enough then complete baldness can be avoided. At the first signs of male pattern baldness, i.e. when you first notice that you hairline is no longer straight; that is the point at which you should act. Simply put, the sooner you enter into a hair loss prevention programme, the greater the likelihood of saving more of your hair. What male hair loss treatments are available?

There are a myriad of treatments out there, from prescription medicines to herbal remedies and anti hair loss shampoos. Treatments are variously used to boost blood circulation, strengthen hair follicles, cleanse the hair root and prevent DHT from attaching to the follicles. If none of these are successful then you could consider hair replacement surgery. Surgical hair treatments, hair transplant surgery and scalp flap surgery all involve the removal and replacement of hair follicles from one part of the head to another. This is a delicate and precise surgical procedure and must always be carried out by a fully trained and properly qualified doctor. Hair weaving is a non-surgical procedure suitable for both men and women. This procedure will provide the appearance of a full head of hair, even to those in the advanced stages of hair loss.

Tag :  male pattern baldness,pattern baldness,treatments

Male Pattern Baldness - Symptoms and Treatments You Should Keep in Mind

Our hair is made of keratin, a protein that also is found in nails and the outer layer of our skin. The average adult has 100 thousand strands of hair on his head. it is normal to lose about 50-100 strands every day. Old hair falls out so the new ones can grow out of the follicle. However, various factors ranging from genes, hormones and stress can lead to loss that occurs suddenly and excessively.

Hair loss is experienced by men and women of all ages. The type of baldness most common is male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). The causes are associated with genes, hormones and age.
Another type of baldness including auto-immune condition known as pattern baldness and a patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium), compulsive hair pulling (trichotillomania) and traction alopecia.

Signs and Symptoms
Male pattern baldness is the most common baldness in men which can also occur in some women. In this type of baldness, hair loss is usually gradual. Pattern baldness is different between men and women.

In addition to male pattern baldness, there are several other types of conditions.
i. Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata): In this condition, baldness bererapa field suddenly appeared. Emotional factors are some of the drivers. When recovering from stress, hair loss usually stops or slows down. However, the situation could become serious in which the head and body hair may fall out (alopecia totalis).

ii. Temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium): This causes a number of hairs falling out suddenly for a few days. This can be caused by severe stress, childbirth, severe illness, surgery and some medications. As the name implies, the effect is usually temporary. However the recovery may take a year or longer depending on the cause.

iii. Compulsive hair pulling (trichotillomania): This causes the hair and usually broken tidka to cause damage to the scalp. This usually occurs in children and women and is associated with a psychological cause. If not stopped, it can cause permanent hair loss.
iv. Traction alopecia is caused by some hairstyles such as a ponytail, bun, or braid that exert constant pressureon the scalp.

Causes:
Genes (heredity)
This cause determines whether a person will have male pattern baldness or not.

Hormones
Androgens play a role in male pattern baldness. These same hormones encourage the growth of pubic hair, armpits and face during puberty. People with male pattern baldness may have a level of male hormones are the same as normal people, but these hormones to accumulate in certain areas on their heads and causing the hair follicles there setbacks.

Most women avoid this baldness because they produce less androgens, and because the female hormone, astrogen can fight the effects of male hormones. However, women who produce too much androgen may have the same problem. Other hormones, such as that produced by the thyroid gland, can also affect your hair. For example, too much or too little thyroid hormone from the gland can cause baldness.

Stress
Sudden stress can also promote baldness half / incomplete or temporary baldness. Temporary hair loss can also be driven by the stress after the birth or the loss of a beloved person.

Medical Conditions
Some drugs, such as anti-coagulant, anti-depressants, anti-thyroid drugs used in chemotherapy, can cause baldness. Most vitamin A also has the same effect.

inappropriate Hair Care
Choosing a hairstyle that makes the hair from the scalp tight can cause your hair to turn brittle and broken. Broken hair can also be caused by shampooing too frequently and the use of excessive chemicals, such as dyes, bleach and permanent curling.

Treatment and Prevention
It is important to know the main cause before treatment. Most conditions are temporary and can be restored if the main causes of such stress are lost. However, male pattern baldness may have a permanent effect. Recently, medical science has made progress in helping the people regrow their hair.

Two types of drugs now available to help prevent severe male pattern baldness. Finasteride and minoxidil works by stimulating new growth of hair in the follicle. Finasterise against the effects of the hormone testosterone. These drugs are only available by prescription and are only allowed to be used in men. They are not recommended for women because they can cause birth defects. Finasteride can take several months to show any effects.

Another drug, minoxidil is available in stores. It's used on the scalp and works against the decline of the follicle caused by hormones. However, not everyone responds to this drug, and even those who do respond don't see any tangible results for several months.

Alopecia areata is often treated with steroid injections in the affected scalp area. While problems underlying the scalp such as tinea capitis (fungal infection) should be treated appropriately with medical care. Causes of telogen effluvium may need professional guidance from a psychiatrist. Causes like childbirth usually take under a year for women to recover.

Tag : male pattern baldness,symptoms ,treatments

What Are the Stages and Symptoms of Male Pattern Baldness and What Can You Do About It?

If you're a man chances are high that you will experience some form of balding, in fact around 50 percent of men, statistically, will experience some form of baldness in their lives. Men's balding is commonly the product of a condition called male pattern baldness or male pattern balding. How do you recognize the signs of male pattern baldness and what are its stages?

Pattern baldness in men is an inherited condition which predisposes you to some degree of thinning hair. Hair thinning in men progresses gradually from the point where it is virtually unnoticeable right through for some to complete baldness. It usually starts with a slightly receding hairline at the front.

Often the man is experiencing thinning hair on the crown of his head however at this stage this is unnoticeable whereas the receding hairline will become noticeable. As the receding hairline progresses it will become quite clear that the man is suffering from some form of advancing balding and at this stage it may also become noticeable that he is developing a bald spot on the crown of his head.

Gradually the baldness in both places advances until, in all likelihood, he develops a complete bald spot on the crown of the head. By this stage the receding hairline should be well developed and gradually the 2 grow together until they join up to produce baldness from the front to the crown of the head.

This may then advance to the point where the man becomes bald right through the top of his head with only a horse shoe of hair around the back and sides.

This is a description of the general progression and signs of male pattern baldness. Whether whether it applies to you if you have the condition is unknown until it develops fully. Many men suffer much less from baldness than what is described or suffer from baldness in a different progression or pattern. However this is a fair description of the general process of male pattern balding.

Fortunately the cause of baldness in men is known. The male hormone DHT derived from testosterone slowly limits the capacity of hair follicles to take up essential nutrients. This results in the follicle shrinking, the hair shrinking and thinning and premature death, and this hair will not be replaced sufficiently with new healthy hair.

Fortunately there are now FDA approved hair loss treatments. There are 2 treatments approved for men. One of these is called minoxidil which operates, so it is thought, by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicle. This allows the follicle an increased supply of nutrients thereby reversing the nutrient deficit and this is thought to be the major effect of minoxidil at affecting hair regrowth.

One company has recognized that using minoxidil on its own is not as effective as supplying a wide range of essential hair nutrients by way of oral supplements at the same time. If minoxidil operates to increase the flow of blood to the hair follicle then supplying all the essential hair nutrients that that follicle needs for optimum health increases the chances of successful hair regrowth.

The other product approved by the FDA is finasteride marketed as Propecia which also has been shown to be effective as a hair loss treatment however has some side-effects for men limiting sex drive which can obviously be a problem. However studies show that finasteride works as well.

Neither product works for everybody however would take from 6 months to preferably 12 months before any significant hair regrowth is observed and before anyone can decide if the product is working for them.

Tag :  male pattern baldness,stages,symptoms

Male Pattern Baldness: Is There an Effective Treatment?

The statistics are quite staggering, by the time they reach the age of 50, 50% of the worlds' male population are affected by male pattern baldness. Many men just accept this and get on with life, but more men are learning about the newly affordable male pattern baldness treatments and want to keep their crowning glory. These new treatments started becoming available over fifteen years ago, but unless you were quite well off cost was always a major prohibiting factor (John Travolta was reported as spending around $1000 a month for his treatment). Now prices are down to a level where most people can afford high quality treatments and if started early enough there is no reason why you should ever go bald. Having said that it should be made clear that there are still no miracle cures, if you are now completely bald there is still very little that can be done apart from wearing a hairpiece. But treatments can be very effective in re-growing hair for some people. It is a matter of learning what is possible and setting your expectations accordingly. There are a few things you should know before seeking a particular type of treatment. It is firstly important to understand why male pattern baldness occurs and how it develops before deciding which of the currently available treatments is right for you.

Why Hair Loss Occurs
Male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia is a genetically predetermined condition. The main contributing factor for causing it is the male hormone testosterone, hence this is why few females suffer from the condition and why castrated males never go bald. But testosterone does not directly cause hair loss, it interacts with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase to produce the real culprit, a derived hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is widely acknowledged to be the main cause of hair loss in men. Men lucky enough not to go bald have hair that is resistant to the effects of DHT.

Topical Application
Now that it is known what causes male pattern baldness many hair loss shampoos have been developed specifically to remove DHT from the scalp. These types of products are deep cleansing agents known as DHT blockers and have been used effectively to stop further hair loss and provide the optimum conditions to stimulate new hair growth. You may have heard of Minoxidil male pattern baldness treatment, this is not a DHT blocker, it is thought to work by directly stimulating cell growth in the hair follicle thereby giving it a resistance to DHT. The results though are the same and because they work differently, Minoxidil and DHT blockers can be used together for an even more effective hair loss treatment.

Internal Drugs
One of the most effective oral medications for treating hair loss was discovered accidentally when developing a cure for enlarged prostate gland in men. This drug was finasteride and it was found that in low doses finasteride was effective in preventing of male pattern baldness. It is now one of very few drugs with FDA approval for the prevention and treatment of male pattern baldness and only available on prescription.

As a natural alternative to Finasteride, a herb called Saw Palmetto is often claimed to be able to reduce DHT and therefore prevent male pattern balding. There are now many natural male pattern baldness treatments that contain saw palmetto and while only small scale clinical trials have been conducted results have been positive.

Transplants
As a last resort hair transplantation may be the only option for men with a bald patch greater than about ten centimetres (4 inches). This generally involves removing a doner strip of scalp from the neck area and grafting doner follicles to the bald patch. Scalp reduction is another surgical procedure where the bald scalp area is removed altogether with the remaining scalp skin pulled together. While this may seem quite drastic it can be a quite effective procedure in removing small bald patches

Conclusions
For many men baldness is accepted as part of the aging process and they adapt gracefully to their new look. But with many new male pattern baldness treatment  available, men now have a choice in preventing hair loss altogether if they act early enough. The treatment is often needed for life but for many men that could be one of the best investments they ever make!

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Male Pattern Baldness - What Causes Hair Loss?

Most authorities on hair loss and male pattern aldness agree that over 50 percent of American males will lose a substantial amount of hair before reaching old age. Just take a look around you sometime and you will likely see a number of balding heads visible in a crowded place at any given time. If you were to take a count of the number of men with balding heads versus men with a full head of hair, the numbers might surprise you. Many of the men you see with balding heads are at the peak of their lives and should be living life to the fullest. Instead they are experiencing a drastic change in their appearance which could ultimately affect their self image.

What most of these men is experiencing is a condition known as male pattern baldness. Androgens are the male hormones responsible for producing masculine physical traits. These hormones work together with inherited genetic tendencies, also responsible for most of the hair loss experienced by men throughout history in every culture in the world.

Male Pattern Baldness is a genetic syndrome. An individual inherits all physical characteristics such as eye color, build, height, facial features and hair color from his ancestors. Although the tendency toward baldness is an inherited characteristic. The pattern of hair loss and the rate at which the loss will progress are genetically determined. Common folklore says that badness is a masculine trait, actually baldness is carried through the female genetic line. Therefore, if a man's maternal grandfather was bald, the man is likely to bald as well. It is not unheard of for families to exhibit three generations of bald men, genetic patterns are not that simple. Many different genetic codes relating to hormone production, cellular sensitivity and other factors are inherited by each individual in unique combinations. These various genes may be inherited through either the mother's line or the father's line. The genetic programing an individual inherits may reflect either his maternal or paternal heritage. In some cases, the pattern may be recessive dating back to generations long since dead and sometimes the pattern of baldness is not like that of any known relative.

The specific mechanism that causes male pattern baldness is initiated by an androgen, or male hormone, called testosterone, which is acted upon by a specific hormone at a genetically programmed point in an individual's life. Testosterone itself does not cause baldness. However, when it is acted upon by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, a new related hormone is formed. The new hormone, called dihydroxytestosterone, or DHT, causes the follicles of the hair to become sensitized and to turn off their typical renewal cycle.

The actual process within each strand of hair is a gradual one. The average two-to six-year growth cycle is shortened so that an ever increasing number of hair follicles are in the telogen or resting stage. Those hairs still functioning within the balding area grow more slowly, and the hair begins to thin out. Finally a few or no hairs grow within the balding area. Tiny Vellus hairs do continue to grow but they are hardly visible. As metabolism in the hair follicles slows, the blood supply to the bald area decreases causing the epidermis of the scalp to become more and more thin. This is a result of baldness, not a cause.

As the scalp becomes thinner, the sebaceous glands in the bald area tend to become more active. This activity causes an oily, shiny scalp as well as a dandruff problem in many cases.

Androgens also appear to be the culprit, at least in part, for hair loss in women, particularly later in life. All humans produce both male and female hormones. Males produce greater amounts of testosterone, and females produce greater amounts of estrogen. When the normal production of the hormone specific to the gender of the person is thrown out of balance by age, disease or surgery, greater amounts of the hormone characteristic of the opposite sex sometimes results. In women whose ovaries are removed during surgery or destroyed by disease, thinning of scalp hair and increased growth of body hair are not uncommon. Those same characteristics can also develop as the body's natural hormone production declines with age.

Age, naturally is a contributing factor to hair loss and male pattern baldness. As a man grows older the likelihood that he'll also grow bald increases dramatically. As testosterone levels decrease with age, baldness continually progresses as more and more follicles become sensitized to the hormones.

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The Truth About Hair Loss: Male Pattern Baldness

Male Pattern Aldness
On average, there are 90,000 to 150,000 hairs on the scalp. The hairs grow from roots called follicles. Blood vessels at the base of each follicle provide nourishment vital for hair and hair growth. Hair growth in each root occurs in a cycle independent of each other. At any time about 90 percent of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth phase, while the other 10 percent are in the resting phase. The growth phase can last an average of up to five years, after which the follicle goes into a resting phase, which can last upto four months. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out and is replaced by a new hair. This is all a perfectly normal part of the growth cycle. In fact, on a typical day, up to 150 hairs can be lost. Baldness occurs when hair is lost at an unusually high rate and hair replacement occurs at an 

unusually slow rate and/or when normal hairs are replaced by weaker, smaller ones.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?
Almost all cases of hair loss is the result of Male pattern baldness (or androgenetic alopecia).Male pattern baldness occurs much more frequently in men than in women.Even in mild cases It affects roughly 50 million men in the United States. Balding may begin at any age after puberty. While some types of hair loss is reversible, male pattern baldness tends to be permanent. It occurs in a very typical pattern on the scalp.Hair loss usually begins at the temples and at the top of the head toward the back, causing a receding hairline and a bald spot.Sometimes progressing further until the two sections become joined,leaving a horseshoe pattern on the sides and back of the head.Male pattern baldness progresses slowly and is not associated with any physical discomfort.

What causes male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness is thought to be a combination of hormonal and genetic factors.Testosterone and its more potent derivative dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the contributimg factors of the degree of balddness. Whatever the exact causes of male pattern baldness may be, it is hereditary. A tendency toward baldness on either side of a man's family(mother or father) indicates The speed, pattern,and degree of the balding. Usually, the earlier it begins, the more severe the hair loss will be. 

Balding is not caused by wearing a hat,you cant regrow hair by Massaging or brushing,or excessive shampooing stimulate hair growth.These are thought to be false.Stress may contribute to a form of hair loss,but normal everyday stress does not contribute to balding

What are the treatment options for male pattern baldness?
-Herbal Shamppos
-Herbal Remedies
-Specialty Shampoos(for example Helsinki Formula)
-Wigs
-Transplants
-Medication(Propecia,Minoxidil etc)
-Home Remedies
-Others

Hair transplantation
In hair transplants,healthy live follicles are removed from a donor site on the scalp and transplanted to the balding area. The follicles are commonly taken in "plugs" of one hair to two hairs (micrografts) from the sides or back of the head and moved to the balding area, with the hairline being slowly reconstructed. Larger plugs may be used. Donor sites with full hair make transplants more successful.Some scarring may occur. Transplanted follicles are usually permanent. Synthetic hair has also been used for transplants but has been known for to have a high rate of infection and has been been banned.As with any surgical procedure, hair transplantation present certain risks.If you are considering a transplant, consult your doctor.

Wigs
A hairpiece can be custom made to cover a balding area. Hairpieces may fade and over time. It is important to clean the scalp under the hairpiece regularly.Another option is a weave, in which fake(synthetic) hair is sewn into existing hair.

This just a quick run down of what happens when most men reach a certain age. Here are a couple of sites that we have found that will educate and inform and give you everything you want to know about Male Pattern Baldness. The reviews are very positive and even might give you possible solutions to this problem that has afflicted almost every man for generations.

Tag : male pattern aldness,hair loss,truth