Answers to All Your Questions about Male Pattern Baldness
If you are dealing with male pattern baldness, you aren’t alone. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that 25% of men start losing hair by the time they are 30 years old. Balding is a common occurrence and something that should be talked about more. Being informed can help you make decisions about how to handle your hair loss. That is why we are going to answer all your questions about male pattern baldness.
How Do I Know if I am Balding?
If you are noticing more hair in the drain after a shower, it might not be time to panic yet. A certain amount of hair loss is normal. In addition, other medical issues like alopecia can cause hair to start falling out in a patchy pattern. Actual balding tends to follow a pattern that causes hair to recede from the temples and the crown of the head. If you are seeing thinning hair in these areas, you could be balding. Just remember that this is a common and natural process.
How Quickly Will My Hair Fall Out?
There are no hard and fast rules about how quickly you can expect to lose your hair. Typically, it takes about 15-25 years to go completely bald. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to slow the process and even have your hair restored.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness is triggered by hormonal changes. As you age, your body becomes increasingly sensitive to the male sex hormone androgen. Genetics can also play a role in how much these changes affect your hair loss.
In some cases, hair loss can also be caused by various illnesses and excessive stress. Hair loss that is triggered by these types of factors typically isn’t permanent, but you will have to address any underlying issues.
Is There a Way to Stop the Balding Process?
Because male pattern baldness is genetic and natural, there isn’t anything that can stop the process completely. However, you can improve your chances of keeping as much hair as possible by living a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise. If you have long hair that you wear in braids or a ponytail, try to avoid pulling it too tight since this can also cause your hairline to start receding.
Are There Any Balding Treatment Options?
Yes, certain medications have been shown to be effective in slowing the balding process, but there isn’t any cure or way to regrow all your hair. Minoxidil lotion, which you may also know as rogaine, is applied directly to the scalp and is effective in about 60% of patients. Results can vary, but it is a safe option if you choose to treat your baldness.
Finasteride or Propecia is another medicine that is taken in pill form and works by blocking androgen hormones. It can stop further hair loss and encourage healthy growth in about 80% of patients.
With both these medications, the benefits stop if you stop taking the medication. That is one reason why some patients seek out other solutions that don’t require daily maintenance.
Are There Other Solutions for Hair Loss?
If you are really concerned about your balding and want to be able to enjoy a full head of hair, there are surgical options that can restore your hair. A surgical hair transplant will slowly help your hair grow back in certain places. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is a surgical procedure that can cause scarring and will require a recovery period.
Laser hair loss treatments are a non-invasive option that works by using cold lasers to increase blood flow to the scalp. It is a safe and painless way to improve scalp health and stop hair loss.
Perhaps the safest and most affordable solution is a wig made from natural hair. You may be picturing some terrible toupees from the 1970s that were always a source of laughter, but fake-looking hairpieces are a thing of the past. Today’s modern wigs look completely natural and are made from the highest quality hair. Each piece is specially created to match your scalp and hair. An evaluation and fitting will feel like a trip to the salon and you can walk away feeling more confident than ever about your hair. While male pattern baldness is a natural occurrence, it is also something many men dread. If you want to preserve as much of your hair as possible, there are safe and effective solutions that don’t require surgery or daily medication. To learn more about modern hairpieces and other treatments for male pattern baldness, contact Houston’s Apollo Image Enhancement Center. You can schedule a consultation and assessment and learn more about your options.
