Male Pattern Baldness(Androgenetic Alopecia)
Male pattern baldness
The familiar type of permanent baldness within the hat line in males.
It is associated with the conversion of the androgen testosterone into di-hydro-testosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5 alpha reductase.
(DHT) attaches to the receptor sites of hair follicles at the vertices (upper regions) of the scalp. These then become the target of an autoimmune response which shortens the anagen (growth phase) with each successive cycle. This results in progressive miniaturisation of follicles, and consequently hairshafts of diminishing dimension with each new cycle. Ultimately the hairshaft is reduced to the fine vellus state.
In some patients, hair character changes also occur at the scalp’s peripheral
margins (previously long straight hairshafts becoming short wavy and wirey).
Over the years many ‘treatments’ for this condition have emerged.
Indeed rarely full a year passes without the announcement of another miraculous
hair re-growth pill/potion/gadget.
To date the best have been less than edifying, the majority have been useless.
However science moves on and we live in hope that the next 'cure' will be efficacious.
Treatment options:
Medicines which may assist some people - not everyone
1) Finasteride (Propecia).
2) Minoxidil.
3) Dutasteride – to be announced.
Hair Restoration Surgery performed by the right expert remains a practical
option.
This surgical redistribution of scalp hairs currently offers the best overall
prospect for patients fortunate enough to have generous numbers of donor hairs.
(Click here).
Surgically implanting the individuals cloned follicles will be an option within a few years.
Scientific research is also reconsidering the existing anti-androgen medication Spironolactone administered by men as a topical medication.
This drug possesses the following properties:
It is a potent anti-androgen but does not apparently interfere with proper
testosterone levels.
Applied topically it does not have systemic side effects
It is a potent competitive inhibitor of DHT at its receptor sites and therefore
effectively prevents DHT from attaching to the receptor sites on the hair follicles.
It is anticipated that follicular anagen will increase allowing terminal hair
growth to resume without decreasing the circulating levels of DHT.
Wigs and hairpieces are a viable and sometimes only option in certain people.
Care should be exercised in the selection of a supplier. The Society has not
been able to compile a list of reputable suppliers to date.
The Norwood-Hamilton Scale (categories numbered 1-7) is used below to describe
the level of development of MPA.Male pattern hairloss may or may not travel
through each of these stages, the development may stop at any time.
