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Male pattern baldness or permanent pattern baldness refers to ordinary baldness and is the type of hair loss that commonly afflicts men. This is generally an inherited trait, passed from father to son. Usually, the earlier a man starts losing his hair, the more extensive the resulting hair loss. In male-pattern baldness a man’s hair line starts receding before baldness appears at crown of the head. In both men and women, common baldness accounts for 90% of hair loss. Though the exact causes are uncertain, experts think hormonal changes, heredity, and age are contributing factors.
Unlike hair loss as a result of disease, medication, or other non-hereditary causes, common baldness is permanent. In women, female-pattern baldness causes thinning over the whole scalp. Hair represents more than just hair. It is an obvious physical characteristic. Hair has wide-ranging cultural associations, it often represents youth, sexuality, and fashion. It is unsurprising that hair loss can be psychologically frustrating to many people when it happens to them.
The average person loses between 50 to 100 strands of hair everyday. This typically has no effect on overall hair quantity because new hairs replace those that have been lost. However, as an individual gets older, this changes as the natural re-growth process slows down and ceases completely. It is then that thinning and baldness become pronounced. It is always advisable to speak to your physician about sudden hair loss to rule out medical reasons. Like the nails and skin, hair goes through rest and growth cycles. If the cycle is disturbed by stress or illness, hair loss can result.
Certain types of hair loss may be curable. To rule out any medical reasons, your doctor may ask you specific questions concerning your diet, any medication you may be taking, and whether or not you have suffered a recent illness. He or she may also ask you about the specifics of your hair care routine. For women, menstrual cycle, pregnancies, or menopause may be considered. An examination will be needed to attempt to determine the cause of your hair. To further ascertain the cause of your problem, biopsies and blood tests of the scalp may also be required.
Depending on what kind of hair loss you have suffered, specific treatments may be available. If your doctor believes your hair loss is being caused by a medicine you are taking, a different kind of medication may be prescribed. Recognizing and treating infections and illness can also put a stop to the hair loss. Hair loss may be suspended by correcting the body’s hormonal balance. Certain medications, such as Minoxidil, might be prescribed to help slow the development of ordinary baldness. Applied to the scalp, this medicine is available over the counter. It has been successful for both men and women. Prescription-only Finasteride, in pill form, is available. It is used for men only.
It may take up to to six months in order to see results. There are alternatives, if there is no available medication for your type of hair. You might experiment with artificial hair replacement, hair weaves, wigs, different hairstyles, or hairpieces. The current offerings are very natural looking and may effectively conceal your hair loss.
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Filed under: Hair Loss