Male Pattern Hair Loss

Male pattern hair loss also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common form of progressive hair loss affecting up to 50% of men by middle age & 80% by the age of 70. It is characterised by gradual hair thinning, recession and then worsening baldness. The current medical literature indicates that it is influenced by an interplay of genetic, androgenic (hormonal), age & environment factors. Male hair loss is generally a progressive condition, which means that it will continue to thin further & recede as people age.

Appearance & Impact

In men, this is usually characterised by a typical bitemporal thinning of the frontal scalp, recession of the frontal hair line and thinning of the vertex (crown) region while sparing the temporal & occipital area (back & sides).
Hair loss may often impact self-esteem, confidence & quality of life, many studies have shown people who experience it early in life express distress & concern to family & peers. Men should be reassured that there are solutions – from regenerative treatments, to camouflaging solutions (SMP & hair fibres) and the option of shaving which often looks better than people expect.

Genetics

Androgenetic alopecia has a significant genetic component. The predisposition is likely polygenetic & can be transmitted inter-generationally, though majority of cases will be inherited from the father, or maternal brothers / grand father. The genetic predisposition causes hair follicle DHT sensitivity, alterations in hair cycle, progressive miniaturisation of hairs & conversion of terminal hairs to vellus, gradually leading to baldness.

Treatment

There are a wide variety of treatment options with varying effectiveness, FDA/TGA approval & supportive evidence, which patients may find overwhelming. This is why it is important to discuss with a specialised doctor familiar with all the available options & together formulate a tailored management plan. Options include medications, PRP/PRF, growth factors, microneedling, laser & the permanent solution of hair transplantation. This requires a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s history, expectations, compliance, efficacy & price capacity. Often for the best long term results, treatment options are combined, to restore & prevent or slow down future loss.

FAQs

Unfortunately male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is a progressive condition, which means it will likely continue to thin & recede as you age. This is why there is a much larger proportion of middle age & older men with MPHL. A variety of factors will affect the prognosis, including family history & environmental stress.

However MPHL can be stopped or slowed significantly with the right treatment. The right treatment can help stimulate further hair growth, thickness & prevent the rapid rate of shedding or recession you may be experiencing. Patients must understand though that treatment needs to be maintained for the duration they want to maintain their hair. 

The good news is there is hope, most of the time. As long as you have a good donor site there is still a chance we can restore your hair line & add some density to your scalp, restoring your confidence. Depending on the degree of baldness the doctors at HRD will customise a treatment plan best suited for you, often combining a multimodal approach to achieve the best results. 

There are a variety of effective treatments for MPHL. A treatment may be suitable for one individual producing excellent results, whereas another more suitable to you. Treatments range from lotions you may apply to your head, to tablets, injections & the permanent solution for hair loss in the right candidate, i.e. hair transplant surgery. Explore the treatment section in this website to understand more about the different therapies available and book a consultation with one of our hair experts for a customised treatment plan. 

When it comes to your health & appearance we generally advise that it is not worth taking shortcuts, avoiding risks & getting the best results the first time by consulting leading doctors in the field. Treatments vary in price & efficacy, our team will walk you through all options & packages available. We provide the most competitive pricing for the quality & safety we deliver. All our procedures are governed by cutting edge international protocols and performed by experienced doctors which assists in minimising your pain and optimising your results. 

At HRD all our consultations and procedures are conducted by doctors. This means you are in an experts hands from start to finish and will develop a mutual understanding prior to commencing any procedure. 

There are always interventions we can do to optimise the appearance of every individual, no matter how bald. Regarding treatment, sending your photos to our team via email or WhatsApp & or booking a consultation with one of our doctors is the best way to determine if medical treatment is still a possibility & which form is best for you. 

Great question, this depends on what stage of hair loss you are currently in & why you need to consult a trusted health professional, rather than overseas medical tourism clinics. A transplant is a big procedure & the only permanent solution for hair loss & restoring hair in regions where there is complete baldness or severe thinning. We often advise a combination of treatments, from medication to injections that will strengthen and regrow existing hair follicles and will offer hair transplants to patients when required. Safety & quality is our priority which is why our transplants are conducted by our leading doctors, not delegated to others. 

The easiest way is to reach out to us, send us a message with or without photos of your hair & our team will call you back and arrange a consultation with one of our doctors. 

Open chat
Ask Hair Restoration Doctors
Hello 👋
Can we help you?