There is a wide range of causes of male hair loss, and thanks to modern medicine, there are many hair loss treatment options that you can consider. Most men lose their hair due to inherited genes and the normal aging process, but there are other causes as well. The key to selecting an effective hair loss treatment is to determine the underlying cause of your hair loss and then select from the variety of solutions to find the most appropriate treatment.
male pattern baldness
Up to 90% of all hair loss in men is due to male pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia. In this situation, the cause of hair loss is due to genes inherited from the father, the mother, or both. The older a man gets, the more likely baldness is to occur, although some men begin to lose their hair as early as their teens or early twenties.
Male pattern baldness usually appears in one of two forms: thinning of the hair at the crown of the head or receding hairline. One way to predict the baldness that a man will experience is to look at the hair loss and causes in his family. However, this is not always accurate, as male pattern baldness can sometimes skip a generation.
Cause of male pattern baldness
Experts say that up to 50% of all men will experience mild to moderate hair loss by the time they turn 50, and 65% of men will have noticeable baldness by the time they are 60. Whether due to aging, genetics, or a combination of both, why exactly does hair loss occur?
The answer is a chemical called dehydrotestosterone or DHT. It is a male hormone that builds up and accumulates around hair follicles, ultimately causing the death of the follicle and the hair that grows out of it. As DHT levels increase with aging, more and more follicles are affected and hair loss becomes more pronounced.
Other causes of male hair loss
If 90% of male pattern baldness is due to genes and aging, what about the other 10% of men who have lost or are losing their hair? For these men, the causes of hair loss can range from medical conditions to damage from extreme styling or harsh hair care. Examples may include:
Medicine – Some antidepressants, anticoagulants and medicines for the treatment of gout can cause hair loss, as can excess vitamin A. Chemotherapy medicines also often cause hair loss.
Serious illness/surgery – The body is put under tremendous stress during serious illness or major surgery, often resulting in hair loss within three to four months of illness or surgery.
disease – Hair loss in men can be caused by an undiagnosed medical condition such as lupus or diabetes, or a fungal infection on the scalp.
hormones – The human body contains a variety of hormones, both male and female, which can become unbalanced and cause hair loss. Hormonal problems due to an overactive or underactive thyroid gland can also lead to hair loss.
proper diagnosis
Because there are both medical and genetic causes of male pattern baldness, it is important to correctly diagnose the exact cause before selecting the most appropriate hair loss treatment. The best course of action is to consult with your doctor before beginning any treatment.
If the cause of hair loss in men is not genetics or aging, the good news is that it is often reversible by simply reducing or eliminating the medication or condition that is causing it. The danger of self-diagnosis is that an underlying disease or medical condition could go untreated, leading to more serious medical problems.
Strong feelings and emotions related to hair loss are understandable, but should not be used as an excuse to avoid seeing a doctor. A doctor can confirm that there is no medical condition that requires treatment and provide advice on possible solutions.
Understanding Hair Loss Treatments
For the 90% of men whose hair loss is due to causes like common male pattern baldness, there are several treatment options to consider. These range from topical medications to oral medications to surgical techniques, all of which come with different advantages, disadvantages, cost, and other considerations.
The key to selecting an appropriate treatment for men’s hair loss is to consider convenience, short- and long-term impacts on daily life, cost, effectiveness, and ongoing maintenance requirements. The best solution for one man may be very different from the best treatment for another man, so it is important to make a decision based on personal circumstances and desired outcome.
Topical treatment for hair loss
By far the most common type of treatment for hair loss in men is the topical application of hair loss products. These products can range from specialty shampoos and conditioners to scalp-stimulating oils and chemical medications.
The most effective topical hair loss treatment to date is minoxidil, marketed under the brand name Rogaine. Previously available only by prescription, this treatment is now available without a prescription at almost any pharmacy, grocery store, or large discount retailer. To maintain hair growth, Rogaine must be used on an ongoing basis; when use is discontinued, any regrown hair will be lost again. Rogaine is the only hair loss treatment approved by the FDA for use in both men and women.
There are many other topical treatments for men available that have not been shown to be effective. Beware of any product touted as an “instant cure” or “miracle hair growth” remedy. While these hair loss products will generally not cause particular damage or harm to the scalp or hair, they will not effectively promote new hair growth either. In most cases, they are a waste of money that could otherwise be spent on a medically proven treatment.
Oral treatment for hair loss
Another effective treatment for hair loss in men is finasteride, marketed under the brand name Propecia. This medication is available only with a prescription and comes as a pill to be taken every day. As with Rogaine, if Propecia is stopped, any hair growth that has occurred will be lost.
Propecia is an FDA-approved anti-hair loss product for use by men only, and in fact, it comes with a strong warning for women because it can cause serious birth defects. Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant are strongly advised not to even handle Propecia tablets, as the drug could potentially be absorbed through the skin.
Surgical treatment for hair loss
There are several good surgical treatments for hair loss available. These treatments have improved dramatically over the years thanks to better techniques and better medical technology. The results usually appear extremely natural on most men and do not fade over time.
The most common surgical treatment for men is hair grafting, a process by which hair is transplanted from one part of the head to bald areas. Grafts can be as small as a single hair, making it possible for the surgeon to create a very natural looking hairline.
Another surgical option for men is more invasive and involves cutting away the bald areas and stretching the areas that still have hair over the excised area. Recovery time is longer for this type of treatment and not all patients with hair loss will be good candidates for the procedure.
If you are experiencing male pattern baldness, see your doctor or dermatologist, who can diagnose the underlying cause of your hair loss and suggest the best treatment for your particular situation.