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 hair follicle. Generally, hair loss 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.
Proliance Surgeons
Thomas A. Knipe, MD, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of adult and pediatric disorders of the head and neck. While practicing all aspects of otolaryngology, he has a special interest in sinus, sleep and breathing disorders and tumors of the head and neck. He is trained in advanced surgery of the sinuses and skull base to bring his patients safe and proven treatments for complex tumors of the skull base and more common sinus and breathing limitations alike. He treats patients with benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck including thyroid, parathyroid and salivary glands and is trained in salivary gland-saving endoscopic techniques to remove salivary stones. In his practice, he takes great care to educate his patients and apply his medical expertise to partner with and guide each one through important medical decisions.He is committed to serving the world’s poor and underserved through medical and surgical mission work. He travels overseas to perform surgical repair for children and adults with cleft lip and palate, thyroid disease and benign and malignant disorders of the head and neck.A native of the Seattle area, Dr. Knipe takes the Northwest’s healthy and active lifestyle to heart. He is an avid runner and works hard to keep up with his wife and two daughters. He also enjoys hiking, fishing and competing in ultimate Frisbee. Dr. Knipe is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. His top areas of expertise are Laryngitis, Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Trachoma, Perichondritis, and Tissue Biopsy.
Proliance Surgeons
Samson J. Lee, MD, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Minor in Music Performance. He then graduated from Duke University School of Medicine and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha society for academic excellence. At Duke University, Dr. Lee received the Howard Hughes Medical Student Investigator Award twice for his research on immunotherapy of brain tumors. He then completed a general surgery internship at the University of Washington. This was followed by a year of research in pediatric craniofacial biology as a National Institutes of Health Scholar.Following this, Dr. Lee completed an otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency over four years at the University of Washington. He then went on to complete extensive additional training in facial cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in California. He completed his fellowship by achieving the second highest board examination score in the nation for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery earning him the Jack P. Anderson Award from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.Dr. Lee's practice is focused on general medical and surgical problems of the head and neck with a focus on facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. In addition to performing cosmetic procedures, he has extensive training and experience in facial reconstruction after trauma and skin cancer removal, including rhinoplasty.Dr. Lee is double-board certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery as well as cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Facial Plastic Surgery at the University of Washington. He regularly teaches residents facial plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery techniques at affiliated University of Washington Hospitals. Dr. Lee has been selected as a "Seattle Top Doctor" in both Seattle and Seattle Metropolitan Magazine for otolaryngology and facial plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery every year since 2011. Dr. Lee is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. His top areas of expertise are Aseptic and Alopecic Nodules of Scalp (AANS), Nasal Septal Hematoma, Low Nasal Bridge, and Perichondritis.
Neil Fleshner practices in Toronto, Canada. Mr. Fleshner is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. His top areas of expertise are Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Prostatectomy, and Cystectomy.
Male pattern baldness does not indicate a medical disorder, but it may affect self-esteem or cause anxiety. The hair loss is usually permanent.
Contact 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: April 01, 2025
Published By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, 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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