The problem with hair fall in men is that most of them miss the early stages trying out some home remedies. While you can see our detailed post about how home remedies can help hair fall, men almost always need more than that. Because unlike women who have multiple reasons for hair fall, the reason for hair loss in men is mostly genetics.
Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss in men, is an interplay between genetics and hormones with a minor influence from external factors.
Correction of other factors like nutritional defects, stress, environmental insults and such, can slow hair loss progression but cannot stop it. The degree to which thinning and baldness will progress is determined by genes.
So, if you notice a recession in hairline or thinning of hair, its best to consult a dermatologist early. Our skin specialist in Madurai advises tichoscopy assessment and appropriate early treatment based on severity for all men with hairfall.
You can read the post about hair fall in women and how the causes and treatment methods are totally different from that of men. Women need supportive therapy mostly, while men need definitive long-term therapy to arrest progression of baldness.
What is male pattern baldness?
Male patterned hair loss (MPHL) or Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a specific type of hair loss common in men. There are various grades of severity and various patterns the baldness can occur.
Some will have just a slight recession of hairline or thinning at temples their whole life, while others may progress to full head baldness. Like how genetics determines our skin colour and facial features, here the degree of baldness a man can develop is predetermined. It is further influenced by hormones and lifestyle factors.
The patterns of baldness can also be predominantly frontal or predominantly at the crown/vertex or diffuse.
What happens to hair?
After males become hormonally active around teenage years, they are start to secrete more testosterone. This helps in development of male characters by acting on receptors on certain structures and organs. One such structure is hair bulb.
Though the level of testosterone in blood is nearly the same in all, the sensitivity of their receptors varies. The sensitivity of receptors in hair bulb is genetically determined. So those with super sensitive receptors will have earlier and faster progression of hairloss. Genetics also influences some other supportive hair root functions.
The hair naturally goes from growth to fall phase in a cycle every few years. But with each developing new hair, the growth phase decreases and the thickness of hair decreases. Finally, it becomes so small that it does not contribute any more to hair density.
This goes on for years, happening from one area to another. And men notice it only when there is some significant loss and visibility of scalp. When you see visible scalp, 50% is already lost.
What are the treatment options for hair fall in men?
Minoxidil
This remains the unbeatable saviour of men with AGA. It is a time tested and definitive treatment option. It is approved by FDA and is being used for AGA for more than 40 years. The treatment of hair loss in men would be incomplete without it.
The molecule tries to keep hair in growth phase and supports hair bulb to increase the calibre (thickness) of hair fibre. It also increases blood supply to follicle. But it should be used for months to years to fully utilise its function and to maintain results.
There are no major side effects even with life long use. The most annoying side effects which make many discontinue therapy are itching, irritation, flaking, dryness. These can be corrected by choosing an ideal formulation or brand suited for each scalp.
Hair peptides
These are molecules which help create a growth stimulating environment for hair follicle. They act at different cellular processes necessary for hair growth. They anchor hair in root and prevent hair shedding
It is a useful supportive therapy for men with hair thinning and hair fall.
Check our post here to know more about top hair nourishing molecules and their benefits.
Platelet rich plasma
A wonderful option to boost hair growth. It utilizes a person’s own blood to procure concentrated growth factors and these are injected to scalp. A minimum of 3 to 5 sessions are needed. Safe, effective and no unwanted effects. There is minimal pain and no downtime and routine work can be resumed few hours later.
Microneedling
Multiple tiny needles in a machine or manual system are run over scalp skin. Though it appears scary, it is not. The minute thin needles and vibration makes the procedure nearly painless. A numbing cream can be used for those who are still anxious.
The controlled physical injury stimulates the remodeling of of tissues supporting hair and also boosts blood supply. Combination with PRP stimulates hair follicles more.
Other options
Stem cell therapy, mesotherapy and LASER caps are other effective options.
LASER caps have multiple diodes, which emit low level LASER. LLLT (Low level LASER therapy) has been proven to have numerous benefits including pain relief, wound healing, muscle relaxation and recovery, hair stimulation and skin rejuvenation. If used twice or thrice a week for few months it can help in boosting hair growth and maintaining results of medical treatment.
Hair transplantation
For those with advanced degrees of baldness this remains an important hair saving procedure. For others, its optional depending on their desire for hair density. Choosing a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who is experienced in this procedure ensures best results and natural appearance.
Even though it is a safe surgery, there are many local anesthetics and medicines injected. So selecting a qualified surgeon is must. Commercial centres sometimes use just technicians and promise huge graft numbers. But there is no guarantee for that actual number grafted in real time, the quality of grafts or how many grafts survive.
And a good medical treatment and follow up is a must to retain hair density post hair transplant.
Other causes of hair fall in men
Telogen effluvium
This is more common in women and less in men. There is a temporary growth arrest and increased hair shedding due to stress to hair growth. The stress can be due to illness, nutritional deficiencies, mental stress etc.
In men telogen effluvium is mostly a superadded cause. Few months post fever recovery or stressful life event or sudden weight loss, there is sudden increased shedding. This generalized hair loss unmasks their ongoing hair thinning. Hence hair loss appears sudden and magnified.
Hair fall stops once the causes are rectified. Nutritional supplements, diet adjustments, better hair care and stress reduction are usually advised. Hair growth peptides can help in supporting growing hair follicles.
Alopecia areata
Sudden patchy bald spots which can affect anyone at any age. Limited number of patches are easier to treat and will recover fully. Rarely patches may enlarge to involve larger areas, and they might need more aggressive medical treatment. In men patches can also occur over beard and moustache.
Injections over bald spots and appropriate medication can usually make the hair grow completely in few months.
Scarring alopecia
Scarring scalp diseases are rare. These can damage tissue around hair follicle and leave a scar. The hair follicles are permanently destroyed unless treated early. Its best to consult a dermatologist soon if you have an unusual pattern of hair loss or scalp patch.
A biopsy will be done to identify the cause. And the treatment should be aggressive from the start to save the hair.
So, if you are concerned about your hair fall issues the best time to consult is now. The earlier you address it, the simpler the treatment and better the results.
Our skin clinic in Madurai offers all medical and procedural treatments for hair fall. A simple consultation with our skin specialist in Madurai which includes a trichoscopy assessment can help to plan a customised treatment to stop hair loss.
