Male pattern hair loss is balding amongst men. It’s not always easy to identify at first, but early signs include a receding hairline, where hair starts to disappear at the temples of your head, producing a hairline that’s shaped like an ‘M’.
Another sign of it is crown hair loss, where your hair begins to thin at the crown (just off the top of your head). The thinning here leaves a bald spot.
In the areas where your hair is getting thinner, you may also notice that individual strands of hair are more fragile, and they don’t grow as quickly as hair in areas that are less affected.
If you find that you’re losing a lot of hair after you’ve showered on a towel, or on a comb, this can point towards male pattern hair loss. And if the hair on the sides or the back of your head is not affected, but you’re losing hair on top of your head, this can be an early indication of male pattern hair loss too. This is because hair on the sides and back of your head is not as sensitive to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
With male pattern hair loss, some men are more sensitive than others to DHT (or dihydrotestosterone, which is a type of testosterone in the body). This sensitivity causes hair follicles to shrink, and stops men from growing new hair. It also reduces the lifespan of hair follicles, meaning that you lose hair more often, and at a faster rate.
So you lose hair more quickly, but the hair is also replaced more slowly, and it doesn’t grow back as rapidly.
Who gets hair fall?
Male pattern hair fall is very common. It can start to affect men as early as their teenage years, between 30 and 50% of men will have it by the age of 50.
Male pattern hair loss also tends to be hereditary, so if it runs in your family, you’re more likely to get it.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Hair fall
Hair fall: what causes it?
Certain types of hair fall(or alopecia), like male pattern baldness or male pattern hair loss are permanent, while other forms of hair loss are only temporary.
An illness, stress, treatment for cancer, weight loss and iron deficiency can all trigger more short-term hair loss, but it tends to grow back or stop shedding once you recover, and usually doesn’t require treatment.
But given the long-term nature of male pattern hair fall, treatment is often needed to help stop any further hair loss, or to help hair grow back.
Is there a ‘cure’ for hair fall?
There’s no ‘cure’ as such, but hair loss products like Mintop and Finax can stop further hair loss where treatment is required, and cause hair regrowth, in many cases. A lot of men take them for several years and find them effective.
Hair transplants are available for men with certain types of hair loss, but this is a surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Hair fall
What is the best hair loss treatment?
Which treatment you choose is up to you, and it depends on your medical background.
Two of the most effective treatments for hair loss are Mintop (Minoxidil) and Finax (Finasteride).
In clinical studies, 48% of men using finasteride showed an improvement in hair growth after one year (compared to 7% with placebo), and this increased to 66% after two years (compared to 7% with placebo).
An important thing to note here is that you may not see results immediately. It can take between three and six months before you notice improvements, and it may be up to 12 months before you see a difference in your hair. Given that these products prevent further hair loss in eight out of 10 men who take it for 12 months though, and two thirds of men benefit from some degree of hair regrowth, patience tends to be rewarded.
But if you don’t see any improvements in your hair after 12 months, let our doctor know. They may recommend trying an alternative hair loss treatment.
How does Mintop work?
Mintop is a topical solution specifically designed to treat male pattern baldness. It is not fully understood how the Minoxidil regrow hair mechanism works, but it is thought that it widens the blood vessels to the scalp, leading to an increase in blood and oxygen in the affected area.
While it isn't a cure, it can significantly slow down hair loss, especially if the area affected by the condition is small. It can even restart the growth of some follicles.
Mintop cannot completely reverse baldness. If you’ve been bald for a long period of time or the area of your scalp in question is large and bare, you’re unlikely to get much benefit from using Mintop.
But it can greatly help men with mild to moderate symptoms that haven’t been present for a number of years.
How does Finax work?
Finax tablets stop an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink, and triggers hair loss in men who are sensitive to it. By preventing this conversion from happening, Finasteride cuts down the amount of DHT in the blood and scalp. This helps to stop you from losing any more hair, and also promotes hair growth.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Hair fall
FAQ: Hair fall
Have something specific you want to know about Hair fall? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Can you get side effects with hair fall treatments?
Answer:
Yes. Hair fall treatments can cause certain side effects, such as depression, suicidal thoughts, a reduction in your sex drive, erectile dysfunction, headaches and itching. Most men find that they don’t experience any of these side effects, and for the few that do - these usually resolve once the treatment is stopped. But this isn’t always the case. If you’re noticing that you’re experiencing mood changes or suicidal thoughts, stop taking the treatment and seek medical advice straight away.
Infertility has been reported by men who have taken Finasteride over long periods of time, so if you have any concerns about this, let us know and we can discuss this with you.
You should always read the information leaflet that comes with your treatment before using it, and send our prescriber a message if you experience any side effects. They may advise you to try an alternative treatment for alopecia.
Do I need a prescription to get hair fall treatment?
Answer:
For Finasteride, yes. It may cause side effects, and it may be that you are sensitive to its ingredients. You may also have a health condition which means that it isn’t suitable for you. So you’ll need to have a consultation with our doctor to make sure that it's safe for you to use.
Mintop is available over the counter, so you can buy it in medical stores, having had a discussion about its suitability for you with a doctor.
Can hair loss in women happen?
Answer:
Yes. It’s not just men who experience alopecia. About one third of women do too. And up to two-thirds of postmenopausal women experience hair thinning or bald spots.
As is the case with men, female (rather than male) pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. Health conditions, medications and physical or emotional stress can all cause hair loss in women. So if you’re experiencing any of these things, you should let us know. We can help to find out what’s caused your hair loss and decide whether you need any treatment.
What is postpartum hair loss?
Answer:
After giving birth, hormone levels in women can change, and this can sometimes trigger hair fall. It usually only lasts for between six and 12 months, at which point your hair growth cycle should return to normal. It’s quite common and isn’t usually anything to worry about. If you are concerned though, or if you find that your hair loss persists, you should contact your doctor.
Is there a link between stress and hair loss?
Answer:
Yes. Emotional stress and anxiety can cause alopecia. Normally there’s a three month period between a stressful event and your hair falling out. It’s triggered by the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, as the body produces extra hormones to help it tackle a potential threat.
During this time, more hairs on your head are in what’s referred to as the ‘resting stage’. All this means is that it may take a few months for your hair growth and regrowth to return to normal. So any hair loss is usually just a temporary thing until your stress levels have gone down.
Vitamins for hair loss: do they work?
Answer:
If you’re severely lacking in iron, vitamins A, B, D or E, zinc, amino acids or omega acids (particularly omega-3 fatty acids), vitamin supplements can help to improve hair loss and hair growth. But if you aren’t deficient in any of these vitamins, there’s no evidence that taking any supplements will have a noticeable effect on hair loss or hair growth.
Why should I buy hair loss treatment with Treated?
Answer:
At Treated, we’re making hair loss treatment hassle free. Tell us about your health and we’ll advise you on safe and suitable options just for you. You can choose your treatment from there.
It’s then just a matter of setting up your delivery schedule. We’re flexible here. Let us know how often you’d like us to ship your treatment to you, and the amount of it you’d like each time, and we’ll do the rest. Change, pause or cancel your plan anytime.
Our doctors are on hand to talk you through any questions you’ve got, so if you’re unsure about anything, or if you’d like to make any changes, just sign into your account and send them a message. They’ll reach out to you regularly to find out how you’re getting on with your treatment.
A receding hairline is a very common issue that affects men all over the world, but there are steps you can take to slow it down and hold onto your hair for longer.
There are lots of different hair fall treatment options, but not all of them will be available everywhere, and some are only available on prescription. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the best hair loss treatment is prescription-only. Different treatments will work best for different people, and you might find that the best one for you is one that you can simply get over the counter.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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