Male pattern baldness is a hair loss condition, usually known as androgenic alopecia, affecting men at a certain age, especially over fifty years. The same situation may also affect women but differs in the hair loss pattern. In females, it is known as the female pattern baldness.
The hair loss in men usually occurs at the forehead that causes baldness after some time and is known to be more hereditary; hence is difficult to prevent. On the other hand, females may experience a receding hairline in front of the head that may be excess, thus leading to baldness after a frequent hair fall.
Getting rid of the male or female pattern baldness may require some medical procedures, which have a specific cost depending on the dermatologist or how frequently one has lost the hair.
This article will discuss some of the male or female pattern baldness symptoms and treatments.
Symptoms of Male or Female pattern baldness
Some male or female pattern baldness symptoms are usually the same, while others differ in each case. Below are some common symptoms they may notice.
- Itching of the Scalp
Having an itchy scalp due to dandruff or dust may make one scratch the scalp due to such disturbing feeling, thus leading to sudden falling of hair that may cause balding after some time.
- Sudden Hair Loss
It is always typical for both males and females to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair daily. If you happen to lose more than the expected number, you might be suffering from a hair loss condition due to emotional or physical Stress and may make you go bald if not treated at the early stage.
- Hair Thinning on the Top of the Head
Hair thinning on the top of the head is a common symptom in both males and females, where males may notice baldness on the top while the females may have receding hair on the lines of the head. It is always easy to see the hair thinning on females since you only need a mirror to check, unlike in males where you have to capture a photo of your top head.
The hair thinning in males is always an M shape, meaning males lose hair side by side, leading to visible baldness.
- Bald Spots
Most men usually experience coin-sized or round bald spots on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows. The bald spots may be itching and sometimes painful. The symptom is much more visible in males than females.
- Full Body Hair Loss
Full-body hair loss is a symptom of baldness that occurs due to some severe diseases or medications that make one extensively lose hair in all body parts. However, the hair may regrow after one is done with specific medicines. You can also consult your doctor to help you change the type of medication before the balding spreads all over.
- Dryness
It comes as a result of fewer vitamins and minerals that provide nutrients responsible for hair growth. Lack of nutrients makes the hair follicles in a resting phase and cannot grow and may start falling off, leaving baldness behind. The symptom is usually common in both males and females.
- Breaking of Hair
This symptom is common in females as the hair usually breaks before receding in a particular hairline leading to baldness or spacious spots on the scalp.
Male or Female Pattern Baldness Treatments
One can get rid of male or female pattern baldness using the treatments below;
- Use of drugs such as Minoxidil/ Rogaine
You should apply minoxidil directly on the scalp twice per day. The drug helps in preventing further hair loss and increasing the density of the existing hair. However, it is usually not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Use of hair Transplant Procedures
Hair transplant procedures such as follicular unit extraction (FUE), where the surgeon extracts hair follicles from the scalp and transplants them on the bald areas, can help treat male or female pattern baldness.
Another hair transplant procedure includes Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT), where the surgeon removes the part of the skin at the back of the head where there is more hair, takes the hair follicles from the skin strip, and inserts it into the balding area.
The two procedures may be painful and can be costly since they involve surgery performance. Scars and infections may also affect the transplanted area.
- Massaging the Scalp
Scalp massage usually helps stimulate the growth of hair follicles hence can help treat baldness in males and females.
- Eating a Well-Balanced Diet
A balanced diet helps the body with the required nutrients that help accelerate hair growth, preventing baldness.
- Reduce Stress
Physical and emotional Stress may cause hair loss that may, in turn, lead to baldness. It would be best if you reduced Stress by exercising, meditating, listening to music, etc.
Conclusion
There are various methods of treating baldness. The doctors can help advise you on the best male or female pattern baldness treatments to use, depending on the cause in each case.