It begins slowly. Maybe you notice a few extra hairs in the shower drain, and then a few more on your pillow in the morning. Gradually, your hairline starts to change, or your scalp starts to peek out through your hair. Finally, you accept that your scalp may finally be showing its age: you are losing your hair. But you aren’t alone. Although people of all genders are affected by of men aged 18-49 experience moderate to extensive hair loss, with the proportion increasing as men get older. Many men know that hair loss is a possibility for them, but far less know why and how it happens.
What causes male pattern hair loss?
results from a combination of genetics and hormones (so yes, a balding relative like a father or grandfather could be, but is not always, an indication of things to come). If an individual’s scalp has a genetically inherited sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), DHT will shorten the hair’s growth phase in that area from three to six years, to mere weeks or months. At the same time, the hair follicles also produce thinner, shorter, and more brittle hairs. Altogether, this results in the hair thinning and hair loss that we call male pattern baldness.
What can I do about it?
Although we at Apostrophe do applaud a well-done, bald look (have you seen The Rock?), we appreciate that others may want to try something different. This is where comes in. Finasteride is an for treating male pattern hair loss. It acts as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, meaning finasteride blocks 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. The less DHT there is in your system, the less it can act on those sensitive areas of your scalp. This decrease in DHT gives your hair a chance to return to its former thick and strong state. In of finasteride, 86% of men treated with the medication maintained or showed an increase in the amount of hair they had - the odds are in your favor.
Does Rogaine work?
You may have spotted Rogaine (generic name: minoxidil) in the aisles of your local drugstore. Is it for real, or just another scam? In fact, minoxidil does work - but it works much better in conjunction with finasteride. dilates the small blood vessels of the scalp and encourages re-growth by enhancing cell turnover. Although than finasteride, dermatologists often recommend taking both medications together for the best possible results.
If you find yourself one of the many men who is affected by male pattern baldness, there’s no need to panic! You have options for treatment (that don’t include hats).
Have you tried any treatments for male pattern hair loss? What would you recommend? Tag us on Twitter at @hi_apostrophe!
