Male Pattern Baldness

For men, male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss. It is characterized by thinning and receding hair beginning at the temples and weakening of the coverage at the crown or vertex of the head. Over time, the hair at the temples continues to recede, leaving a central patch of hair at the front of the hairline and a growing bald spot at the crown. Eventually, as the hair loss in these areas widens, the baldness at the front and crown meet to form one large bald spot. Depending on the rate of progression of the hair loss, all that remains is a ‘border’ of hair around the side and back of the head. Male pattern hair loss is a concern for many men because as the hairline recedes, the face takes on a more aged appearance. Hair loss is seen by many as an unwanted sign of premature aging.

Male Pattern Hair Loss is considered “Chronic” and “Progressive:” It is well documented that men who are prone to male pattern hair loss will continue to lose more hair over time if the condition is not treated.

Norwood Classification Chart – Male Pattern

In men, it has been determined that Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a breakdown product of the male hormone Testosterone, is the ‘trigger’ that causes the progressive miniaturization of hair follicles. If you are genetically susceptible to male pattern hair loss, DHT works to progressively miniaturize follicles (which then grow shorter, thinner, less pigmented hair) until they finally die. Certain prescription medications, like Propecia/finasteride, work to prevent and reverse the miniaturization of hair follicles by blocking the conversion of Testosterone into DHT. Finasteride often is considered the ‘cornerstone’ of medical therapy because it is safe and effective for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Rigorous scientific data reveals that if a man takes finasteride for five years, he has a 90% chance of looking the same or better than he did when he started the medication with only a 2% chance of mild, reversible side effects. The same studies showed that 75% of men with untreated male pattern hair loss looked “much worse” at the end of the same five years. Treatment of male pattern hair loss should always include a long-term ‘hair loss prevention’ therapy, like finasteride, minoxidil, etc. A multi-therapy regimen may include prescription finasteride, minoxidil, medical-grade laser therapy, PRP or other regenerative medicine treatments, nutritional supplementation, proper scalp hygiene, and/or hair transplantation.