Male pattern baldness is also called androgenic alopecia and it starts usually with a receding hairline.  The male pattern balding is related to androgens and DHT and their interaction.  Most of the time, the typical androgenic alopecia ia caused by a combination of genetics, hormones and the aging process.
Other factors, besides androgens and DHT, can play a part in accelerating hair loss.  Illness, stress, lifestyle, trauma and reactions to medications can cause thinning and balding also.  Hypothyroidism and certain mycotic infections of the scalp can cause large amounts of hair loss.

Examples of reversible hair loss would be iron deficient anemia, an underactive thyroid and certain medications.  With medical attention, some of these underlying causes could be addressed and hair loss may be reversed.  Certain men are more sensitive to the male hormones and certain hair follicles shrink and can’t replace hair.  Male pattern baldness is very common and it usually begins in the twenties or thirties.
It effects as many as two thirds of the male population.  When balding starts, the hair follicle replaces hair lost with shorter, thinner hairs.  As the balding pattern persists, replacement of hairs lost stops altogether. Treatments for balding are vast and varied and they have been around throughout history.  But there have recently been some breakthroughs in scientific research.  Products that are actually effective are available today.  Provillus natural hair loss remedy contains a medically approved hair loss ingredient in its new topical solution, and is combined for increased effectiveness with an oral herbal supplement to strengthen hair from the inside and promote growth and thickness.

Although there is no absolute cure for male pattern baldness, the products minoxidil and finasteride are purported to be effective in combatting alopecia.  Minoxidil is a lotion and is available over the counter.  Finasteride is a pill and must be prescribed by a physician.  Results will vary from one individual to the next but scientific results are encouraging on these products.  If you want to maintain results with finasteride or minoxidil, you have to continue using them indefinitely.
Some men are very comfortable with going with the new bald image and can shave their heads and be fine with that look.  Other men find it extremely distressing to their self image and esteem when male pattern balding occurs. The latter group of men, who are upset with the balding and changed self image would do well to try minoxidil or finasteride to see if it works for them.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 20th, 2007 at 9:55 pm and is filed under Hair Loss Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.