Sunday 13 March 2011

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

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