Male pattern baldness: stages, causes and treatment

Male pattern baldness stages

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is a common condition that can significantly impact a man’s confidence and self-worth. Although it’s a harmless condition, the visible signs of hair loss can affect one’s self-esteem and social interactions. It’s crucial to understand the stages of this condition to seek timely and effective treatment. Male pattern baldness stages typically begin with a receding hairline and progress to thinning hair on the crown of the head. This condition is characterized by a predictable pattern, with hair loss usually occurring in seven distinct stages, as described by the Norwood Scale.

Stage 1: This stage involves minimal hair loss, which might be barely noticeable, often appearing as a slightly receding hairline.

Stage 2: The hairline starts to recede more noticeably at the temples, forming an “M” shape. This is often considered the beginning of visible male pattern baldness.

Stage 3: At this stage, the receding hairline becomes more pronounced, and hair loss on the crown of the head may begin to appear.

Stage 4: The hairline recession becomes more severe, and there is significant hair thinning on the crown. However, a strip of hair may still separate the two areas of hair loss.

Stage 5: The areas of hair loss on the temples and crown expand, and the strip of hair separating them becomes narrower, leading to more extensive hair loss.

Stage 6: The bridge of hair separating the receding hairline and crown is gone or very thin, resulting in a U-shaped pattern of hair remaining on the sides and back of the head.

Stage 7: This is the most advanced stage of male pattern baldness, where only a band of hair remains on the sides and back of the scalp.

Male Pattern baldness Symptoms & causes

The typical signs of baldness to search for include: 

  • Hair thinning on top of the head and around the temples. It won’t be apparent at first, but over time, the thinning develops into obvious bald areas. 
  • The hairline at the temples becomes thinner and shaped like an “M.” Most frequently, the crown is impacted, which can result in partial or total baldness in this region. 
  • In more advanced phases, more hair may be lost during brushing, washing, or other times during the day.

Male pattern baldness (alopecia) Causes

Hair loss

The factors that have a huge contribution are, 

Genetics is the main hair loss cause. It could come from one or both of your parents. Your X chromosome’s AR gene instructs your body on how to produce androgens. Male pattern baldness is influenced by the sensitivity of your AR gene. 

Androgen hormones are another factor in male pattern baldness, followed by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that is produced from testosterone. They attach to genetically vulnerable hair follicles, causing the follicles to contract and produce less, thinner, or no hair at all.

Disorders that some hair loss causes include rashes, fungal conditions, redness, discomfort, scalp peeling, and hair breaking.

Age is another factor; as one becomes older, the likelihood also rises. Before the age of 21, 25% of people have symptoms; by the time they are 50, half have hair loss and hair thinning; and as people age, about 70% will lose their hair.

male baldness treatment

These are some popular hair loss treatments for men, although the best course of action will depend on the patient’s preferences and the stage of hair loss.

Medication: It is possible to utilize oral medications like Finasteride (Propecia) and topical treatments like Minoxidil (Rogaine). To promote the growth of hair, the solution or foam must be given topically to the scalp.

PRP hair loss treatment: To separate the plasma and inject it into the scalp to promote hair development and lessen the reason for hair loss hair thinning, the patient’s blood is used.

Hair Transplant: an expensive hair loss treatment for men. For hair transplants to function, hair must be removed from scalp regions that are experiencing active hair growth and transplanted to balding or thinning areas of the scalp.

Conclusion

Male pattern baldness is typically thought of as a progressive, normal disorder that can be effectively managed and even reversed, depending on personal preferences and circumstances. Treatments for male pattern baldness include drugs and hair restoration surgeries. Consult with the best dermatologist in Bangalore or one near you for individualized advice and suggestions on how to properly treat male pattern baldness. People can identify the early indications and seek appropriate balding treatment options for male pattern baldness (alopecia) by being aware of the origins and symptoms of the condition.

Male pattern baldness FAQs

There is no cure for the problem, nor can it be prevented but male pattern baldness can be managed with several treatments.

Several Medications like Minoxidil (Rogaine) and treatments like hair transplant and PRP treatment may stop balding at 21.

Male pattern baldness is primarily triggered by genetic factors and the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes hair follicles to shrink over time, leading to thinning and eventual hair loss.