Male Pattern Baldness is the most common hair loss type in men and is also known as androgenic alopecia. It is related to genes, and male sex hormones begin by receding hairline and thinning around the crown. Each hair strand sits in a tiny cavity (hole) on the skin, known as a follicle. Baldness generally occurs when the hair follicles shrink over time, making the hair thinner and shorter. With time, those follicles stop producing hair. However, the follicle remains intact, which means new hair growth possibilities.
Causes For Male Pattern Baldness
There are mainly three factors that cause men to lose hair: age, genetics, and hormones. According to a study the male hormone “androgen” has a connection with male pattern baldness. Baldness further can result from increased androgenic hormones, such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and a sensitivity of your hair to these hormones.
DHT is an androgen (male hormone) made naturally by your body. During puberty, DHT plays a significant role in developing male characteristics such as hair, genitalia, jawline shape, voice, etc.
Ways To Prevent Male Pattern Baldness
Even though there is no proven way to prevent male pattern baldness, a few mindful steps can reduce it.
Eat smart
A healthy diet may help you prevent baldness, more or less. You can start by avoiding fried foods, which may slow down the shift from T to DHT. Also, watch out for desserts: Consuming a lot of sugar can cause insulin to flood the body, causing testosterone to turn into DHT. Consider having these in your diet:
- Protein: Hair follicles are made up of protein (keratin). Having a protein-rich diet may help prevent hair loss. Add foods like nuts, egg, beans, fish, low-fat dairy products, turkey, and chicken to your diet.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A contains retinoids proven to encourage hair growth. Taking this vitamin may also increase sebum production, keeping the scalp healthy and allowing it to retain more hair. Ensure your plate has foods rich in vitamin A, such as sweet potatoes, sweet peppers, and spinach.
- Mediterranean diet: A diet that incorporates raw vegetables and fresh herbs, like the Mediterranean diet, may reduce the risk of androgenic alopecia or slow its onset. Include salad, parsley, green, and basil in your diet.
Suitable shampoo
Often, your shampoo causes hair loss, and thus, it is essential to choose a shampoo with the right ingredients. Most shampoos contain harsh chemicals that can eventually cause hair loss, but there are chemical-free mild shampoos or natural alternatives to clean your hair without damaging it. When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, go with natural ingredients. If your hair loss does not stop or occurs excessively, seek medical attention immediately.
Hair Care
Having a hair care regime can put male pattern baldness at bay. Apart from a good shampoo, your hair needs the right amount of nourishment. Coconut oil protects your hair from breakage and helps prevent damage done by UV exposure. Massaging Coconut oil on the scalp promotes blood flow and new hair regrowth. On the other hand, Olive oil helps in the deep conditioning of hair.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Stress is a normal part of life nowadays and can be a big reason behind hair loss. You can reduce stress by engaging in relaxing activities, such as walking, listening to calming music, and enjoying more quiet time.
Treatment For Male Pattern Baldness
Medications
The FDA currently has approved two medications to treat male pattern baldness:
- Finasteride (a generic form of Propecia): An oral medication that works on a hormonal level that stops DHT production in the body.
- Minoxidil(a generic form of Rogaine): A topical medicine that boosts blood flow to your hair and helps transport essential nutrients to your hair follicles by stimulating hair follicles into the growth phase.
Transplants for Male Pattern Baldness
The process involves transplanting hairs from the back and sides onto your head’s crown, hairline, or other balding areas. Hair transplantation can restore your hairline and almost eliminate visible hair loss signs.
PRP Hair Transplant
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a three-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed, and injected into the scalp. Platelet-rich plasma treatment injections in the scalp stimulate growth in areas already affected by hair loss. Your doctor will separate the blood from the platelets using a centrifugation machine then injected it into the scalp. PRP contains growth factors and proteins that speed tissue repair. Since hair loss results from damage to the hair follicles, PRP could reverse the process that leads to androgenetic alopecia. Doctors also use PRP to treat sports-related injuries, such as those sustained by tendons, muscles, and ligaments. The process takes about one hour to complete, and the patient has to go for several sessions afterwards. After treatment, the patient can resume normal activities without any restrictions.
FUE Hair Transplant
FUE is a hair transplantation method in which hair follicle units are extracted from the donor areas like the backside of the head, arms, legs, and chest. It is one of the most commonly used transplantation methods. Most people prefer FUE Hair Transplant because it is easier and less painful than any other method. There are two types of FUE Hair Transplant: Manual FUE and Robotic FUE. In manual FUE, a physician extracts individual hair follicles by a handheld device. Many doctors might use a Robotic FUE – a robotic hair transplant device.
Best Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness in Chennai
Welona Slimming, Skin and Hair Clinic in Chennai offers various treatments for male pattern baldness. Our dermatologists are experts in treating various forms of hair loss through different options. If you are looking for baldness treatment in Chennai, book an appointment with Welona experts and get your confidence back.
