Male Pattern Baldness Treatments: Know Your Options

According to experts at Mayo Clinic, male pattern baldness — also referred to as androgenetic alopecia — is said to be a hereditary condition, unlike other hair loss. But there are treatment options you should know about to help you on your journey to a fuller head of hair.

“Male pattern hair loss is caused by many factors that are not completely understood. What we know is that genetics play a large role in determining those who will develop pattern hair loss,” Amy McMichael, MD, a professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, North Carolina tells ishonest Connect to Care.

According to Mayo Clinic, “you might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it.” Here are three treatments that experts specifically noted as being effective for treating male pattern baldness.

Minoxidil— This formula is an over-the-counter shampoo, liquid, or foam product. According to Mayo Clinic, minoxidil treatment takes about six months to see results, and during that time you should apply your product two times per day.

Hair Transplant — Although other pharmacologic treatments exist in the pool of male pattern baldness, Mayo Clinic also lists hair transplant surgery, or hair restoration surgery, as a more permanent treatment for hair loss. During the procedure, your dermatologist will remove hair from one part of your head and use it to fill in a bald area.

All of the drugs and procedures available for androgenetic alopecia treatment start with a trip to your dermatologist’s office to discuss your treatment options.

According to McMichael, the first approach to advising patients with male pattern baldness is to discuss their expectations of treatment. “I give patients the options to treat topically with minoxidil 5% solution or foam, to treat systemically with 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors or oral minoxidil, or with low- level laser light options (combs, bands, or caps), and even more invasive techniques like platelet rich plasma injections or surgical hair restoration. What is best for an individual will be the treatments that fit their budget, lifestyle, and the ones with which they will be most compliant,” McMichael says.

Don’t Wait. Get Help Today.

The sooner you address the symptoms of hair loss, the more likely you are to prevent irreversible damage. Speak to a medical professional today to begin your journey to a fuller head of hair.

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