Male Pattern Baldness

Located in Sarasota, Florida, and serving all of greater Tampa Bay, Hair Transplant Center provides exceptional service and results designed to help our clients to restore their confidence.

In the United States, 50 million men experience baldness – and half of all men will lose some of their hair by 50 years old. If you are a man who is experiencing hair loss, you are not alone. Balding is a natural process for many men, with some losing hair before they are 21 years old. 

Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is the most common type of hair loss in men. While hair loss may be a sign of some physical issue that needs to be addressed, it can also cause low self-esteem, social anxiety, or depression. 

If you are ready to fight back against male pattern baldness, call The Hair Transplant Center – Sarasota. 

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What Is Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men, representing over 95% of hair loss cases. The three primary reasons for male pattern baldness are genetics, aging, and hormone levels that change naturally as men age, prompting hair loss. 

While different for everyone, the hair loss associated with male pattern baldness typically begins at the hairline and moves back progressively. It often results in an M-shaped hairline, although a U-shaped pattern around the head is also typical. Some men show thinning above their forehead, while others lose hair in whole or in part on the top of their head.

There are some cases of baldness that can be reversed or slowed. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities. 

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Male Pattern Baldness

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness is a common hair loss problem among men. It can happen as men get older. Sex hormones also play a role in causing male pattern hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen hormone that contributes to the development of male sex characteristics. Excessive amounts of DHT can cause your hair to grow faster, but it can also make you lose your hair earlier. 

DHT can affect people differently. For example, if your father experiences male pattern balding (MPB) then you will likely experience MPB as you age. Men who already have male pattern baldness might find that DHT makes their hair follicles shrink. 

First, if you have male pattern baldness, DHT will make it worse. If you are already balding in some places, then DHT will shrink the follicles even more. Second, the shape of your head may also affect how quickly follicles for hair are shrinking. Your hair grows back even when you cut it. You can shave your head, and the same hair will grow back. This is because there are lots of little hairs in each follicle. The strands come out a few months later, and then that follicle will produce new hair again.

Some people are more likely to have DHT reactions on their scalp hair if they have certain androgen receptor genes. Hormones that make body hair grow, like testosterone and DHT, bind to these genes. This binding activity is normal in some ways because hormones usually help with bodily functions. Changes to the androgen receptor gene can make it more likely that a person will experience male pattern baldness.

DHT is believed to cause hair loss in men. Hair loss can be genetic or age related. There are treatments to reduce the amount of hair loss in men due to DHT. . 

If you notice that your hair is falling out or receding faster than before, then it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor. You might have an illness or disease that is causing this. The sooner you see a doctor, the better chance you have of slowing down and preserving the hair that you still have left.

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Male Pattern Baldness Treatment Options

01
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

One way to treat hair loss is by getting a hair transplant…..

02
Oral finasteride

If you want a full head of hair, it is obviously best to…..

03
Topical Minoxidil

Minoxidil solution and foam are products to help…..

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

The hair transplant technique known as follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a complex but highly effective procedure known to be less painful and have fewer side effects than traditional “strip” procedures.

The FUE procedure surgically extracts follicular units from the back of the patient’s head. The extracted hair, arranged in small follicular units with several hairs, is transplanted to thinning or balding areas of the scalp. Follicular unit extraction gives patients with hair loss the appearance of thicker, fuller follicles. 

Unlike more invasive techniques such as Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) which involves removing a strip of hairs, FUE harvests follicular units directly out of the scalp one at a time without transecting them. This method results in a natural-looking and permanent head of hair. 

The FUE technique must be performed by a hair transplant surgeon or clinician with expertise specific to this method. Newer FUE technologies – including the Cole, Ellis, ATERA, and WAW FUE Hair Restoration systems – use automation for more efficient, accurate treatments. 

FUE may only be an appropriate solution for some people. For instance, it is less effective for those losing their hair due to medical treatments or stress. Prospective patients should schedule a consultation with our team to learn more about appropriate treatments for their situation. 

Oral finasteride

Whenever possible, it is best to take proactive measures to keep existing hair and prevent any additional hair loss. Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine) are just two of the products utilized to slow hair loss, allowing the patient to maintain more natural hair for longer.

Finasteride is considered to be the most popular hair loss medication currently available. It blocks 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that reduces serum and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), causing male baldness. Finasteride decreases the DHT level so the patient can continue to enjoy fuller hair. 

Finasteride’s effectiveness takes at least three to six months at recommended doses to become evident. The treatment does not remedy hair loss, but it can encourage the growth of scalp hair. However, hair growth from finasteride only continues as long as the patient takes the medication. Once the patient terminates use, hair growth will fade away.

Finasteride’s side effects are minimal and typically mild but are not unprecedented. Be sure to ask your doctor about potential side effects and see your physician immediately if any reaction becomes evident. On rare occasions, reactions may be serious enough to merit medical attention.

If finasteride is ineffective after one year, your doctor will recommend a different course of action, such as FUE. 

Topical Minoxidil

Minoxidil solution and foam, sold under the brand name Rogaine, are products utilized to fight male pattern baldness by preserving thinning hair. The treatment is available at most retail stores and typically does not require a prescription.  

Minoxidil is appropriate for those with thinning hair, but it is not considered an effective treatment for sudden hair loss or individuals with a history of baldness. Some people with androgenetic alopecia have found Minoxidil effective, but results can only be determined by using the product to gauge results.  

Minoxidil generally requires four months of use to see visible results, and hair will thin again once treatment is over. Be sure to speak with an experienced hair restoration specialist about the effects of long-term use.

Choosing a Male Pattern Baldness Treatment Plan

There are many potential treatments for hair loss, and it may take research to determine which is best for you. If you have tried topical solutions but have yet to achieve the desired results, speak to a doctor about alternative techniques and methods, such as follicular unit extraction (FUE). 

Dr. Hamwi and clinicians Gieger and Daniels at the Hair Transplant Center – Sarasota assess and evaluate each client’s situation to make the most informed recommendation. You can get started by scheduling a virtual consultation – fill out a form and send some photos of your hair loss, and we can get started. Hair restoration and a more youthful, confident appearance are just a few steps away. 

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