Men’s Hair Loss Treatment

Hair loss can affect your self-image and contribute to anxiety or depression, which leads many men to seek out some form of hair treatment.

Men often link hair loss to aging and infirmity, and when it happens to you, your self-esteem can really suffer. When you don’t feel like the same person who looks back at you from the mirror, your sense of identity can fluctuate, leaving you feeling insecure.

Types of Hair Loss

Many men think hormones are to blame for this condition, but 95 percent of the time, genetics are the primary cause of hair loss. Several types of hair loss affect men. The most common forms of this condition are:

Androgenetic Alopecia

This type of hair loss is common in men and is also known as male pattern baldness. Men with androgenic alopecia often have excess testosterone, which breaks down into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT attacks the hair follicles causing your hair to stop growing or fall out.

This type of alopecia gives men a receding hairline and sometimes leads to complete or partial baldness.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata causes hair loss in localized areas. These bald spots can show up on the scalp or other areas of the body. These patches usually grow back, although they can reappear elsewhere.

What Causes Alopecia?

Several environmental and genetic factors play a role in who develops alopecia. Coronary heart disease and prostate cancer in men can contribute to the development of alopecia. Diabetics and men with hypertension may also be at greater risk for androgenetic alopecia.

Hormones called androgens are also related to this alopecia. Androgens, such as testosterone, regulate hair growth in men. When there is an increase in the androgen levels in the hair follicles, it leads to a shorter growth cycle and thinning hair.

Alopecia areata is classified as an autoimmune disorder. This disorder causes the immune system to target the hair follicles and stop hair from growing. This isn’t usually a long-term condition, and hair follicles affected remain undamaged, with the possibility of hair regrowth later.

The exact causes of alopecia areata are still unclear in most cases. Environmental factors, such as physical injury, illness, or emotional stress, may contribute to this disorder.

Links have also been found to suggest that because it is an autoimmune disorder, the condition may raise the risk of other autoimmune disorders, such as allergic asthma, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Having any of these disorders might also increase your chances of developing this form of alopecia.

What are the Symptoms?

Male pattern hair loss is typically predictable in its progression. It starts just above the temples and advances toward the crown of the head, causing a receding hairline characteristic of the disorder. Androgenetic alopecia is very gradual in its progression and leads to very short, fine hair, eventually replacing the healthy, full head of hair you had before.

Alopecia areata is classified by small patches of hair that fall out. It can be anywhere on the body but often shows up as a round or oval bald patch on the scalp. These patches might grow together to form a larger patch. Usually, the hair in these areas grows back, only to fall out somewhere else.

Men suffering from alopecia areata might lose a lot of hair in a short period or lose more hair in cold weather. This condition can also cause fingernails and toenails to become pitted, brittle, and red.

Should I Get Treatment?

Getting male hair loss treatments can be daunting for those suffering from alopecia in any form, but there is plenty of help available. Rone Health’s A4M Certified Medical Specialists have been treating hair loss in men for decades. Our specialists can give you an accurate diagnosis of your hair loss type and recommend an effective treatment program.

While most forms of alopecia aren’t physically dangerous, this disorder can often leave sufferers with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even identity issues. Hair regrowth for men may not be necessary for your health, but it can make a huge difference in how you feel.

Managing Male Pattern Hair Loss

By the time they reach 70, 80 percent of Caucasian males experience some form of balding. Some of the best hair loss treatments for men range from medications, wigs, and toupees to laser combs and hair transplants.

Topical minoxidil is FDA approved and sold over-the-counter. It comes in different concentrations and can be applied in a liquid or foam.

Finasteride is a medication initially developed to combat prostate cancer. However, after discovering its effectiveness for hair growth, it has become a weapon to fight androgenetic alopecia. Always check with your physician before you begin taking medication. Even medications you buy without a prescription may have unexpected side effects.

A hair transplant is a procedure that surgically moves hair follicles from one part of the body (usually the back of the scalp, where hair is still growing) to the affected location. As with all surgeries, the risk of complications and bleeding are present, so this isn’t always a viable option for some men.

Laser combs are a more recent treatment for hair loss and work on the premise that the laser stimulates the hair follicles’ growth cycle. While this treatment is still in its infancy, there have been promising results. However, laser combs might work best with other treatments and therapies.

Research suggests that Botulinum toxin A may be effective for androgenic alopecia in conjunction with topical finasteride. There are currently clinical trials looking into the efficacy of Botox on male pattern baldness; however, it is not approved by the FDA as a treatment for baldness.

Get the Help You Need at Rone Health

There are various treatments and medications to combat the effects of alopecia. When you’re ready to find out what works best for your condition, book a consultation at Rone Health. Our men’s hair loss experts can develop a plan designed specifically for you.