Male Hair Loss

 

Male Hair Loss – Why is My Hair Falling Out? 

Known as Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) or androgenetic alopecia, male hair loss is inherited from one or both parents. It is the cause of over 90% of all mens hair loss problems. Easily recognisable resulting in a familiar pattern of hair loss at the crown, front or the entire top of the head.

Male pattern baldness can affect some men as early as their late teens. Others may not notice their scalp becoming visible until early middle age or even later. Around 70% of men will experience MPB before the age of 65. But whatever age it starts the question is always the same, Why is my hair falling out? 

Like most things about the human body, hair loss is a complicated process.  The Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates noted that male eunuchs did not lose their hair over 2000 years ago. Therefore he attributed hair loss in men to the  hormone Test****. In more recent times, scientists discovered that DHT, a converted form of Test******* is actually the real culprit.

Test**** is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. The hair loss process begins when specific receptors attract and bind DHT to the hair follicle. The hair follicles affected are those at the top, back and sides of the head that have DHT receptors. The exact pattern depends on your family hair genetics.

As a mans hair loss progresses, hair follicles miniaturise, producing shorter, finer hairs. With each progressive cycle, the hair follicle produces a finer hair that grows for a shorter period of time. This is termed hair follicle miniaturisation. The possibility of hair regrowth through hair loss treatment is exhausted once the follicle has produced around 25 hairs.

Hair Loss Treatment – When To Act

Prevention is better than cure. There is one and only rule for this –  act when hair loss is first noticed or at least while there is still adequate hair remaining. Sadly so many men wait until it is far too late. Often only seeking  hair loss treatment when they don’t like how they look any more. 

At Cotswold Trichology, we can explain about all of the male hair loss treatments available. Treatment efficacy depends on three factors, your age, your current hair state and how quickly your hair is thinning. The flow chart below outlines the tree main male hair loss treatments in relation to these three factors. Other treatments are availble, as well as surgical and non surgical options. 

 

The best way to get independent advice on male hair loss treatments is to book an appointment online.  You can also read about what happens at a hair loss consultation here. 

Further information on Theradome can be found at www.theradomeforhairloss.co.uk 

What If Hair Loss Treatments Don’t Work?

We understand after reading this, you may realise that as far as hair loss treatments go, your hair may have gone ‘past the point of no return’.  This is understandably upsetting but there are still viable options for your self esteem and hair appearance.  Depending on your budget, how extensive your hair loss is and how you would like your hair to look, there are three options : hair transplant surgery, hair replacement systems or Scalp Micro-pigmentation. 

We are able to give independent advice on hair transplant surgery, explain how it works in detail, advise if your expectations are achievable and how many sessions you might need.  Cotswold Trichology do not offer surgery and are not connected to a hair transplant surgery practice. We can suggest where to enquire on a consultation as well as advise on definitely where you should not go! There are some fabulous UK surgeons here but we’ve also seen some questionable work in our time.

Hair replacement systems can look amazing. This is not a service currently offered at Cotswold Trichology but may be added in the future.

Other Causes …. Could It Be Something Else?

At the beginning of the page we said 90% of male hair loss is due to Male Pattern Balding. This means the remaining 10% of hair loss cases have other causes. These can be any number of problems and are often similar causes as female hair loss. A small percentage of men may be anaemic or iron deficient, commonly those who are vegetarian, blood donors or have had surgery. This type of hair loss is far easier to treat than Male Pattern Baldness.

It is important to establish the cause of hair loss with a reputable professional before embarking on any form or treatment. Self diagnosis can be costly if you choose the wrong or inefficient treatment. As you are probably already aware, there are lots of people who will readily sell you a ‘wonder’ cure which may not work.

Facts

• Male Pattern Balding is the cause of hair thinning or loss in 90% of men.
• 60% of men or more will experience Male Pattern Balding before the age of 65.
• Male Pattern Balding only affects the top, crown and upper sides of the head.
• If you are losing hair from your entire scalp, there may be another reason.
• Men do not suffer Male Pattern Balding before puberty.
• Male Pattern Balding is not caused by poor scalp circulation.
• Hair follicles can only produce around 25 hairs each.
• Male Pattern Balding is caused by dominant genes inherited from either or both parents.
• There are effective treatments available for Male Pattern Balding if treated while adequate hair still remains.