Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, affecting 6.5 million men in the UK.

Male pattern baldness usually starts with the hair thinning and a receding hair line. This is then followed by wider hair loss, bald patches and eventually a totally (or almost totally) bald head in the majority of cases. By the age of 60 most men have been affected by this type of hair loss.

For some men hair loss isn't a problem. They accept it as a natural occurrence and make no attempt to conceal their baldness. Yet for others, feelings of embarrassment, shame and discomfort prevail when hair loss starts to happen. This is especially the case for younger men.

The hair life cycle

Without male pattern baldness, our hair follows a particular cycle. Hair grows from follicles on our head for three years, and then falls out, before the re-growth stage. However, men who suffer with male pattern baldness will experience an altered cycle. Hair follicles gradually become smaller, and simultaneously the hairs that grow from them become smaller.

The reason why male pattern baldness has its name is because it tends to follow a certain pattern. A receding hairline is followed by thinning hair on the crown and temples. When these two areas meet in the middle, a 'horseshoe' shape is left around the back and sides of the head.

The reason for hair loss

Hair loss is caused by the hormone dihydrtestosterone (DHT). DHT is caused by an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. Because of inherited genes some men have hair follicles that are more sensitive to hair loss hormones.

What can be done about hair loss?

Hair loss is not an illness. It will not cause you any physical pain or harm. Nonetheless, you may feel uncomfortable about going bald and look for a way to delay the onset of hair loss. If this is the case then the hair loss treatment Propecia (finasteride) may be the answer.

Propecia works by blocking the production of the DHT hormone. In doing so it stops hair falling out and can also stimulate the growth of new hair. This effective hair loss treatment has been shown to help 80% of men see improvements. If you wish to buy hair loss treatment, you can either speak to your doctor, or seek out hair loss treatments online.