Male Pattern Baldness Overview
Learn About Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men.
Alopecia in men; Baldness - male; Hair loss in men; Androgenetic alopecia
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.
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.
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.
Umass Memorial Medical Group Inc
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
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).
Umass Memorial Medical Group Inc
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.
Male pattern baldness does not indicate a medical disorder, but it may affect self-esteem or cause anxiety. The hair loss is usually permanent.
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.
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.
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