How to deal with male pattern baldness

Author: Mark Sanchez
Date Of Creation: 8 January 2021
Update Date: 29 June 2024
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Male Pattern Baldness - Truth Be Told
Video: Male Pattern Baldness - Truth Be Told

Content

Male pattern baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia) affects millions of men. Hair begins to fall out above the temples, forming the letter M. Over time, hair falls out on the back of the head, as well as on the sides of the head, which ultimately leads to complete baldness. If you start to have male pattern baldness and don't like it, there are some treatments you can try.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Possible Treatment Options

  1. 1 Understand the nature of male pattern baldness. Although androgenetic alopecia has been linked to the presence of male hormones (androgens), the exact cause of hair loss is unknown.
    • Baldness of this type is caused by a genetic predisposition, and the main androgen believed to trigger baldness is called dihydrotestosterone.
    • The increased content of this hormone in the hair follicles shortens the life cycle of the hair and inhibits the growth of new hair.
    • Over time, hair follicles stop producing hair, but they remain alive and able to do so.
  2. 2 Try minoxidil. Minoxidil is an approved drug used to treat male pattern baldness. It stimulates hair growth and is applied to the scalp.
    • Minoxidil slows hair loss and some patients experience new hair growth. Unfortunately, hair loss resumes after stopping the use of the drug.
    • Side effects of minoxidil include itching, rash, acne, burning, inflammation, and swelling.
    • In case of an overdose, more serious consequences are possible: blurred vision, chest pain, dizziness, loss of consciousness, arrhythmia.
  3. 3 Ask your doctor if you should take finasteride. This drug is a prescription pill that works better than minoxidil. It binds an enzyme that converts free testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
    • Finsteride slows down hair loss, but only while you are taking the drug. Upon completion of the treatment, hair loss resumes within a year.
    • Side effects of this medication include chills, cold sweats, confusion, dizziness, rashes, swelling of the hands, feet, and face, tingling sensations, and weight gain.
  4. 4 Transplant your hair. In a hair transplant, tiny areas are transplanted from a healthy part of the scalp to a balding one. This is usually done several times. The procedure is not cheap, but the effect lasts forever.
    • Before the procedure begins, you will be given a local anesthetic to desensitize your scalp.
    • During the operation, the doctor will remove a small area of ​​hair from the donor area and suture it. Then he will gently transplant the hairs one by one onto the balding area.
    • Hundreds of hairs can be transplanted in one procedure.
    • This surgery can cause bleeding and leave scars. In addition, there is a risk of infection.

Method 2 of 3: Improving Hair Quality

  1. 1 Eat foods that help you fight hair loss. Often, eating disorders lead to baldness.Poor nutrition causes deficiencies in macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), which causes problems in the body and hair loss. To support your hair and your body in general, include the following foods in your diet:
    • Red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, peppers, melons). They are high in vitamin A, or beta-carotene. Research has shown that vitamin A stimulates cell growth and strengthens cells, including hair follicle cells.
    • Eat fatty fish (salmon, sardines) that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
    • Eat yogurt and other foods high in vitamin B5. This vitamin accelerates blood circulation and increases blood flow to the scalp, which in turn stimulates hair growth.
    • Make a spinach salad - this product is high in vitamin A, iron, folate and vitamin C. This cocktail of vitamins and minerals will be good for the health of the scalp and hair.
    • Eat more protein, which is found in lean meats (chicken, turkey), low-fat dairy products, protein vegetables (beans). Hair consists of a protein molecule - keratin, so hair needs a healthy protein.
    • Eat foods with vitamin B7 (also known as biotin) to stimulate hair growth. This vitamin is found in eggs, fortified cereals, dairy products and chicken.
    • Eat foods high in zinc: oysters, lobsters, fortified cereals. Lack of zinc can lead to hair loss, so you should consume enough zinc with food.
  2. 2 Drink plenty of water. If the body is dehydrated, skin and hair cells cannot grow and develop. To keep your hair healthy and keep growing, drink as much water as possible.
    • Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and even more if you exercise or if it's hot outside.
    • Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, soda) cause dehydration, so drinking them will drain your body of water. Try to drink water and unsweetened tea or juices. Limit your caffeine intake to one to two cups a day.
  3. 3 Get rid of stress. Although stress is not the cause of androgenetic alopecia, stress can cause hair loss. To keep your hair healthy, avoid stressors. There are three types of stress-related hair loss:
    • Telogenous alopecia is a disease in which stress causes a large number of hair follicles to go into hibernation and not work for several months.
    • Trichotillomania is a stress-related disorder in which a person has an unexplained urge to pull out hair. The most common causes are stress, as well as tension, feelings of loneliness, boredom or despair.
    • Alopecia areata is a condition in which a person's immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
    • Unlike male pattern baldness, stress-related hair loss is not always irreversible. If your hair is falling out, see your doctor - they can determine the cause.
  4. 4 Make an appointment with your doctor. Certain medical conditions cause hair loss, and this has nothing to do with male pattern baldness. If you have hair loss, see your doctor so that he can determine the cause of the problem and find out what health problems you have.
    • Hormonal fluctuations (for example, during pregnancy, after childbirth, or during menopause) and thyroid problems can temporarily cause hair loss.
    • Scalp infections, such as ringworm, can lead to hair loss on the scalp. Hair usually grows back after treatment.
    • Several other conditions, including lichen planus and some types of lupus and sarcoidosis, can cause permanent hair loss.

Method 3 of 3: Folk remedies

  1. 1 Try onion juice. Although the effectiveness of this method has not been fully confirmed by research, onion juice can stimulate hair growth in people with male pattern baldness. In a study of 23 people, after applying onion juice to their heads twice a day for six weeks, 20 people saw improvements.
    • Although the study involved patients with alopecia areata, you might as well give it a try.
    • Chop the onion, then squeeze the juice out.
    • Apply the juice to the scalp twice a day, leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse off. Try doing this for at least 6 weeks to see if the bow helps you.
  2. 2 Try massaging your scalp. The massage will increase blood flow to the hair follicles, which will promote scalp health and strengthen the roots. However, the effectiveness of this method has not been scientifically proven, so it is not known whether massage is a means of preventing or treating baldness.
    • Use coconut or almond oil. Other oils are also suitable: olive, castor, amla (Indian gooseberry) oil. Add a few drops of rosemary oil if desired.
    • Apply the oil to your scalp and massage it into your skin. Repeat at least once a week.
  3. 3 Try fenugreek seed paste. Fenugreek (also called Greek hay) contains substances that can stimulate hair growth and accelerate hair follicle regeneration.
    • Place a cup of fenugreek seeds in the water. Leave it overnight.
    • Grind the mixture and make a paste that you can apply to your hair.
    • Cover your head with a plastic bag or wear a beanie and let sit for 40 minutes. Rinse your hair. Repeat every morning for a month.
    • As with other folk remedies, this method hasn't been scientifically proven to be effective against hair loss, and it may not work for you.
  4. 4 Try other methods. There are many other treatments to try. Please be aware that they have not all been tested in a laboratory environment and may not work. If in doubt, check with your doctor.
    • Try aloe vera gel. It stabilizes the pH level of the scalp and stimulates the growth of healthy hair. Rub the gel into your head and let it sit for an hour, then rinse. Repeat 3-4 times a week.
    • Try licorice root paste. It will soothe irritated scalp and relieve redness. Combine a tablespoon of chopped licorice root, a quarter teaspoon of saffron, and a cup of milk. Apply the mixture to balding areas, cover and leave overnight. Rinse off in the morning. Repeat 1-2 times a week.
    • Try Chinese hibiscus flowers, which stimulates hair growth, treats dandruff and makes hair thicker. Mix flowers with coconut oil, heat until black substance appears, squeeze out oil. Apply to scalp before bed and leave overnight. Wash your hair in the morning. Repeat several times a week.
    • You can also use beets, flaxseeds, and coconut milk.

Tips

  • You can enhance the effect of minoxidil by dyeing your hair after three to four months of using the drug. With minoxidil, the hair grows thin at first, and the dye enhances the contrast between the hairs and the scalp, making the hair look thicker. This is one of the techniques used to create before and after photographs in drug advertising.
  • There are many different types of baldness, and they all have different causes. Check with your doctor before trying folk remedies on yourself.
  • Try faux hair extensions. These are small wigs or strands that can be used to cover bald areas.

Warnings

  • Before you start taking the drugs mentioned above, read the instructions for use and watch for side effects.
  • Do not use folk or home remedies if you are allergic to any of the substances in them.