What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men – and is related to your genes and sex hormones. When does male pattern baldness start?

The baldness happens as hair follicles shrink, leaving you with finer hair as you grow older, although some men will experience the first signs of baldness in their late teens.

Hormones known as androgens are essential for normal sexual development – and help to regulate hair growth. A genetic sensitivity inherited by men who suffer from this pattern shortens the lifespan of the affected follicles, they stop producing hair, and this is what causes male pattern baldness.

The condition always follows the same path, but varies slightly from person to person, making it sometimes hard to diagnose. If you notice you’re losing hair from the top of your head, hair is receding from your temples, or you’re worried about the amount of hair loss, you may want to make an appointment with your GP.

Rule Out These Hair Loss Causes First

There are many reasons for excessive hair shedding and these include:

  • Diabetes and other medical conditions
  • Stress and chronic illness
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Skin problems and infections
  • Cancer treatments
  • Nutrient deficiencies or overloads

When you’re satisfied that none of the above apply then you can investigate further.

Check for Bald Patches

How many hairs does the average person lose a day? Most of us lose from 50 to 100 hundred hairs daily, and this is a normal loss during our hair’s natural growth cycle. If your hair loss is greater it can be helpful to take selfies ongoing – and then compare the results as you’ll be able to see any increase in thinning.

Male pattern baldness stages typically:

  • Start being noticeable at the front of the scalp
  • Progress with the formation of an ‘M’ shape or a half-moon effect
  • Result in a shape that looks like a horseshoe or a ‘U’

Hints and Tips to Explore

Making a few changes to how you treat your hair may give you that extra confidence. Try:

  • Using a conditioner regularly after washing your hair to avoid tangles
  • Combing with a wide-toothed comb as this is gentler than brushing
  • Having your hair styled to hide any thinning areas
  • A razor cut or full head shave

Visit a Specialist

Getting a proper diagnosis will give you the incentive you need to take things a step further. There are a whole range of non-surgical hair loss options if you prefer to go that way. These include:

  • Daily doses of oral medications that block the production of the enzyme that leads to baldness, and slows down the balding process
  • Effective topical medications that increase the size of shrunken hair follicles and keep them growing for longer
  • Red light therapy that increases metabolic activity in the scalp’s skin cells to keep hair on the head and stop future thinning
  • Vitamin supplements of B12 and Omega 3 fatty acids that help to create a healthier scalp and strengthen hair to prevent hair loss
  • Wigs that can be attached to the hair by clipping or weaving to cover baldness instantly
  • Hair replacement technology that uses a membrane base with real human hair to provide a comfortable solution with lifelike results

And remember many famous men are bald and rock the look.