Hair Loss

About Male Pattern Hair Loss

Alopecia is a clinical term used to describe hair loss on the head or body. It can be caused by certain illnesses, medications or lifestyle factors such as stress or weight loss, but the most widespread type of alopecia is the genetic disorder known as male pattern baldness.

Often beginning in the late twenties, it is identifiable by a receding of the hairline in an ‘m’ shape which moves further back over the months and years. This is followed by a thinning on top of the head which eventually meets the thinning ‘m’ and, in more severe cases of male pattern hair loss, results in only a horseshoe pattern of hair left around the sides and back of the head. This is due to the fact that the hair follicles on the sides and the back of the scalp are generally genetically resistant to DHT, though in some rare cases it can then progress to total baldness.

Male pattern baldness affects around 20% of men in their 20’s, one in three in their 30’s, nearly half of men in their 40’s and half of men in their 50’s. Although this condition is not a health concern, it can cause embarrassment and make people feel self-conscious about their appearance so for this reason, many sufferers are keen to find effective treatments.

Causes of hair loss

It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day and though the various forms of alopecia have different causes, in the case of male pattern hair loss, the trigger is hereditary, passed down from either the mother or father’s side of the family causing susceptibility to the potent male hormone dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Conversely, men who are not genetically susceptible to male pattern baldness have a predisposition to be immune to the effects of DHT.

With male pattern hair loss, the hair growing from the follicles becomes shorter and thinner with each hair growth cycle. This is down to the fact that with male pattern hair loss, the growth cycles become shorter and shorter, in some cases decreasing from 2 to 6 years to just a few months or even weeks, and as such less hair is able to grow in that shortened window of time. This process is known as hair follicle miniaturization and it continues until the follicle stops growing any hair at all.

Hair loss treatment options

There are now effective treatment options available for people with male pattern baldness, and the earlier these individuals start using them, the better the results tend to be.

Propecia: a prescription only tablet to be taken once a day, this treatment has been shown to be effective in nine out of 10 men who have mild to moderate hair loss. In a study of nearly 2000 men, 90% of the patients saw positive effects between 3 and 6 months of taking Propecia and at Click Pharmacy, we stock both the branded version Propecia as well as Generic Finasteride.

Regaine: a non-prescription, topical treatment suitable for men aged between 18 and 49 years. Regaine is a foam which is to be applied twice a day and comes in either a regular or extra strength formulation. Studies have shown it to have positive effects for 60% of users but bear in mind that it can take 8 to 16 weeks for results to show and once you stop using it, the effects will wear off.

How does treatment work?

Propecia falls within a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and contains the active ingredient Finasteride. It works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase and stops it from converting testosterone into DHT, reducing its concentration and thereby reducing its negative effect on the follicles. It can slow down or stop the balding process, and in some cases, it can even reverse it.

Regaine is a solution that contains the active ingredient minoxidil 5% and it works by stimulating follicles to transition from their resting to their growth phase. It is also known to encourage blood flow to the follicles and increase their size whilst improving their function and making the growth phase longer.

If you would like to find out more about these treatments for male pattern baldness, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our healthcare professionals at Click Pharmacy who can assist you in finding the right treatment.

When to see a GP

Male pattern hair loss is very common and nearly all men have lost at least some hair by the time they are in their sixties, but in some cases, it is necessary to see your GP before choosing to try a hair loss treatment.

Which Hair Loss Treatment is Perfect For Me?

Since male baldness has become very common, a wide array of treatment options have become available. The two most effective hair loss treatments are oral prescription medications and topically applied solutions. While the efficacy of these two types of the treatment proves to be quite similar, the results may vary depending from person to person. In addition to this, the way you use them and how they work differ significantly, too. Due to this, it is important to test out which treatment works best for you.

Oral Hair Loss Medication

One of the most popular treatments is the oral prescription drug known as Finasteride. It is a highly effective medication commonly used to treat hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is typically present in these medicines, and the male hormone (androgen) is detrimental to head hair growth.

Topical Hair Loss Treatment

You can apply a topical hair loss treatment directly to the surface of the skin while taking oral medication in order to promote hair growth and hair loss prevention.

Regaine (Minoxidil)

Regaine contains 5 percent of the active ingredient, which is responsible for increasing blood flow to hair follicles. In return, this stimulates the anagen hair growth phase and strengthens the existing hair on the head.

How to Support Your Hair and Encourage Hair Growth

There are various methods one can use to support and encourage hair growth. Primarily, one’s objective should be to maintain a healthy lifestyle while consuming a healthy diet.

Similarly, you can use essential oils to promote hair growth. You can find several essential oils that can help you with that. Add a few drops of one of the following essential oils to your shampoo:

• Rosemary Oil
• Pumpkin Seed Oil
• Peppermint Oil

Additionally, try consuming more nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamin C for extra support for your hair. You can also try using a caffeine shampoo.

Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Although stress can not be named the primary factor of hair loss, some reports suggest that stress can indeed contribute to hair loss, depending on the circumstances. Three types of hair loss can occur due to stress. They are:

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen Effluvium is one of the most common causes of stress-induced hair loss. This hair loss typically occurs due to intense stress. For instance, a physically traumatic event like a severe accident or undergoing major surgery. The period of extreme stress can be caused by emotionally distressing events, too, like the passing of a loved one. Telogen effluvium (TE) usually occurs when the human body is overwhelmed with stress. The body responds by doubling down on core functions in order to protect the body. During this, head hair growth is deemed unimportant, thus resulting in hair loss.

Trichotillomania      

Trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder, is when hair loss occurs due to an urge to pull out the head hair. This can extend to the eyebrows, eyelashes, beard or moustache, or even the hair in the genital area.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia is a form of non-scarring hair loss that occurs at any age. Small round patches of baldness on the scalp and other body parts identify it. It is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.

Signs of Hair Loss

Signs of hair loss may include:

• moderate reductions of hair on top of the head,
• evident round bald spots on the head,
• patches of hair loss,
• loss of hair all across the body,
• head hair suddenly coming loose,
• patches of scaling on the scalp.