Learn About Male Pattern Baldness

What is the definition of Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men.

What are the alternative names for Male Pattern Baldness?

Alopecia in men; Baldness - male; Hair loss in men; Androgenetic alopecia

What are the causes of Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness is related to your genes and male sex hormones. It usually follows a pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown.

Each strand of hair sits in a tiny hole (cavity) in the skin called a follicle. Generally, baldness occurs when the hair follicle shrinks over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. Eventually, the follicle does not grow new hair. The follicles remain alive, which suggests that it is still possible to grow new hair.

What are the symptoms of Male Pattern Baldness?

The typical pattern of male baldness begins at the hairline in the front of the head. The hairline gradually moves backward (recedes) and forms an "M" shape. A circular area on the back of the head (vertex) often thins and expands in size over time. Eventually the hair becomes finer, shorter, and thinner, and creates a U-shaped (or horseshoe) pattern of hair around the sides of the head and a bald area on the back of the head.

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What are the current treatments for Male Pattern Baldness?

Treatment is not necessary if you are comfortable with your appearance. Hair weaving, hairpieces, or change of hairstyle may disguise the hair loss. This is usually the least expensive and safest approach for male baldness.

Medicines that treat male pattern baldness include:

  • Minoxidil (Rogaine), a solution that is applied directly to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. It slows hair loss for many men, and some men grow new hair. Hair loss returns when you stop using this medicine.
  • Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar), a pill that interferes with the production of a highly active form of testosterone that is linked to baldness. It slows hair loss. It works slightly better than minoxidil. Hair loss returns when you stop using this medicine.
  • Dutasteride is similar to finasteride but may be more effective.

Other treatments that are being investigated include:

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. This involves drawing your blood, collecting a portion that is rich in platelets, and injecting the areas of hair loss over a series of sessions.
  • Hair transplants consist of removing tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is continuing to grow and placing them in areas that are balding. The procedure usually requires multiple sessions and may be expensive.
  • The use of laser or light caps or helmets to stimulate hair follicles.

Suturing hair pieces to the scalp is not recommended. It can result in scars, infections, and abscess of the scalp. The use of hair implants made of artificial fibers was banned by the FDA because of the high rate of infection.

Who are the top Male Pattern Baldness Local Doctors?
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology

Umass Memorial Medical Group Inc

55 Lake Ave N, 
Worcester, MA 
 10.7 mi

Ricardo Aulet is an Otolaryngologist in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dr. Aulet and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. His top areas of expertise are Mikulicz Disease, Male Pattern Baldness, Laryngeal Cleft, Larynx Atresia, and Gastrostomy.

Associates In Otolaryngology Head And Neck Surgery, PC

100 Mlk Jr Blvd, 
Worcester, MA 
 9.0 mi

Andrea Chiaramonte is an Otolaryngologist in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dr. Chiaramonte and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. Her top areas of expertise are Male Pattern Baldness, Swallowing Difficulty, Painful Swallowing, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

 
 
 
 
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Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology

Umass Memorial Medical Group Inc

157 Union St, 
Marlborough, MA 
 21.5 mi

David Wexler is an Otolaryngologist in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Dr. Wexler and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. His top areas of expertise are Infant Hearing Loss, Familial Deafness, Vertigo, and DFNB1.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness does not indicate a medical disorder, but it may affect self-esteem or cause anxiety. The hair loss is usually permanent.

When should I contact a medical professional for Male Pattern Baldness?

Call your health care provider if:

  • Your hair loss occurs in an atypical pattern, including rapid hair loss, widespread shedding, hair loss in patches, or hair breakage.
  • Your hair loss occurs with itching, skin irritation, redness, scaling, pain, or other symptoms.
  • Your hair loss begins after starting a medicine.
  • You want to treat your hair loss.
How do I prevent Male Pattern Baldness?
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Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 31, 2023
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Dinulos JGH. Hair diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.

Fisher J. Hair restoration. In: Rubin JP, Neligan PC, eds. Plastic Surgery, Volume 2: Aesthetic Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 21.

Hesseler MJ, Shyam N. Platelet-rich plasma and its utilities in alopecia: a systematic review. Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(1):93-102. PMID: 31211715 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31211715/.

Sperling LC, Sinclair RD, El Shabrawi-Caelen L. Alopecias. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 69.

Torres AE, Lim HW. Photobiomodulation for the management of hair loss. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2021;37(2):91-98. PMID: 33377535 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33377535/.