What is male pattern hair loss?
Male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is a specific type of hair loss that occurs progressively, and following a recognised pattern, in men who are genetically predisposed to the condition. It can start as early as the late teens or early 20s but is increasingly common with age. By the age of 50, around 50% of men will experience male pattern hair loss and this type of hair loss accounts for around 90% of the incidents of hair loss experienced by men.
Why does male pattern hair loss happen?
Male pattern hair loss is genetic. A combination of genes cause the hair follicles to become sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This, in turn, causes hair follicles to get smaller, until they eventually stop producing hair. It’s commonly believed that it’s directly inherited from the maternal grandmother. But that’s a bit of an oversimplification as there are actually more than 200 different genes that have been associated with hair loss in men.
What does male pattern hair loss look like?
The pattern that male pattern hair loss tends to follow is the receding of the hairline around the temples and then varying degrees of thinning on the crown. The seven-point Hamilton-Norwood scale is used to grade the severity.
Is male pattern hair loss reversible?
Yes, in the earlier stages. As with any type of hair loss, the earlier you start treating it, the better. Treating hair loss early means there’s more hair to retain and you are more likely to be able to reverse early thinning. Licensed treatments include a topical version of the drug Minoxidil at a strength of 5% which, when applied to the scalp twice daily at this strength, has been shown to help stop — and even reverse — this type of hair loss.
Minoxidil works by improving the circulation around the hair follicle and, as a result, increasing the supply of blood and nutrients to each follicle. This can keep each hair in the growth phase for longer and results in more hairs on the scalp. Minoxidil has also been shown to boost the growth of new hairs, and there’s a theory that it has an anti-androgenic effect too.
5% Minoxidil is available over the counter but higher concentrations can be prescribed by a doctor, who can also prescribe a drug in pill form, called Finasteride. It’s a very effective drug but some men do experience psychosexual side effects which can include problems getting an erection and less interest in having sex. These side effects usually improve after a while, but can sometimes continue even after you stop taking finasteride.
DOSE M, our product specifically designed to treat male pattern hair loss, combines a powerful blend of scientifically-proven ingredients, strengthening proteins, vitamins, and plant-based actives. It includes Minoxidil at a higher strength than you can buy without prescription, meaning you only have to use it once a day, and we blend it with topical Finasteride which carries significantly lower risk of side effects than the pill form, and other ingredients designed to improve hair and scalp health. If you’re experiencing male pattern hair loss and want to see if DOSE could help you, take our online consultation.
Can anything else help with male pattern hair loss?
There are certain lifestyle tweaks that anyone managing hair loss might want to consider.
These include:
- eating a healthy balanced diet
- managing, and reducing, stress
- caring for your scalp
