What is Male Pattern Baldness? Causes, Cure & More

Hair loss patterns in male is a concern that most men face from a certain age. Some people start losing hair in their 20's while some in their 40's. As per a demography study conducted in 2011 on male pattern baldness, as many as 46 per cent Indian men suffer from this condition in their 20's and 30's.Thus, proving that male pattern baldness is a common phenomenon in India.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

It generally starts with ageing- when men approach their 50's. The condition is also known as androgenic alopecia.

In the initial stage, the hair starts thinning, which is then followed by hair fall. Eventually, it may lead to partial or complete baldness. In most cases of alopecia pattern, the hairline starts receding from both sides first and then it affects the crown hair.

When the hair from the side starts falling, it is called M pattern baldness, and many men face this condition in their late 30's.

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?

There are multiple reasons for hair falling in men. While some are inherent, some are due to certain medical conditions or nutrition deficiencies. Read below to know the reasons for hair loss in men.

• Baldness in men typically occurs when they grow older. It is because of the changes in hormonal balance.
  
• Nutritional deficiencies can also lead to male pattern hair loss. When hair does not get proper nutrition, it starts showing. It can happen at any age.
  
• Too much stress or psychological reasons can result in androgenetic alopecia. When you go through stress, it disturbs the hormonal balance, which affects normal hair growth.
  
• Another reason for baldness in males is fungal infections on the scalp. The infection can hinder normal hair growth and result in hair thinning.
  
• Genetics is responsible for many people losing hair in their 20's. If someone in the family has had hair loss, the chances of the person losing hair become much higher.

Also Read: Hair Loss in Men 101 | Male Pattern Baldness: Symptoms & Cure

Who Is at Risk? Am I One of Them?

Although male baldness symptoms usually appear with age, it can start showing signs in your teenage years as well. The main factor that plays a role when it comes to male baldness is genetics. If anyone in your family has androgenetic alopecia, you are at a higher risk of getting this condition.

Along with this, hormones play a vital role in male hair patterns. Men with sensitive hair follicles may be vulnerable to hair loss because of the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) produced in men. DHT blocks the sensitive hair follicles, thus making them shrink and eventually block the follicle, leading to nil hair growth.

Also Read: Natural DHT Blockers | Ayurvedic Herbs & Solutions

Male hair thinning can also be due to:

• Lack of nourishing food
• Stress hair loss
• Chemical-based hair shampoo & conditioners

These can also lead to men’s hair balding. While you can't treat the hereditary conditions, you must take good care of your hair by consuming adequate amounts of protein, vitamin E, and other foods for hair growth.

Also Read: Male Pattern Baldness: A Leading Cause of Depression

How to Treat Male Pattern Baldness?

Most people think hair loss in male is a problem that happens naturally, and there is no treatment for it. However, in the case of some people, alopecia can trigger other problems as well.

Losing hair at the early stage of life can create psychological problems. Young men with less hair lose confidence and have low self-esteem. Sometimes it can lead to anxiety and depression.

Fortunately, there are a few androgenic alopecia treatments available for this problem.

• Medications like Minoxidil and Rogaine are effective to treat androgenic hair loss. It is a lotion that you can apply to the scalp.
• Redensyl is the newest breakthrough ingredient for hair regrowth.
  
• Some oral medication, like Finasteride, slows down hair loss in men. It seizes the production of hormones that cause hair loss.
  
• Hair transplant is a very effective male baldness treatment to cure this condition. However, it is very expensive.

Also Read: Male Pattern Baldness | Natural Treatment

Can This Problem be Absolutely Prevented?

As of now, there is no effective way that can stop male pattern baldness. However, some hair thinning treatment for males can slow down this problem. Also, taking proper nutrition can prevent this problem to some extent.

The Final Verdict

Male traction alopecia can be because of multiple reasons. Young males are busy these days. They hardly care about nutrition. It is one of the major reasons why they start losing hair in their early 20's. The deficiency of vitamin E, D3, and B12 and taking alcohol, smoking cigarettes worsen the male vertex baldness. Taking proper sleep, and nutritious food can reduce the chances of getting bald at an early age.

FAQs

Can you stop male pattern baldness?

No, you can't completely stop male pattern baldness, especially if it is due to hereditary reasons. However, other reasons can be prevented if you take food rich in vitamin E, avoid stress, and keep your scalp free from fungal infections.

What causes male pattern balding?

There are multiple reasons for men’s balding patterns; genetic conditions, malnourishment, stress, and infection on the scalp are the most prominent reasons.

Can a bald man grow hair back?

It is very unlikely that a bald man can get his hair back unless he is going for a hair transplant.

What age do men go bald?

There is no fixed age for men to become bald. While some can get male pattern baldness as early as in their twenties, many people don't go bald even in their 60's.