The Bald Truth: 9 Facts about Male-Pattern Baldness

We wish it was a myth, but the truth is that male-pattern
baldness is real and affects two out of three men in America,
according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Also called
common baldness, or to be more scientific, androgenetic
alopecia, this type of baldness is the most common cause of hair
loss in men.

   1. It’s All Relative - Take a look at your father and
grandfathers if you’re beginning to wonder if male-pattern
baldness is in your future. It's largely an inherited trait.
   2. The Early Bird…Tends To Lose More Hair – Are you starting
to notice that you’re losing hair more frequently even though
you are younger than other males who still have their hair? If
so, chances are that you are more likely to develop more
extensive baldness over time.
   3. The Top of the Head – In common baldness, men typically
first notice a receding hair line, followed by baldness on the top
of the head.
   4. Don’t Worry About Hair Products – One hair loss myth that
needs to be eliminated involves hair gels and spray. These
products don’t actually contain any active ingredients that would
incite male baldness. If you’re still concerned about the products
you are using, switch to more natural-based gels that contain
Aloe Vera.
   5. The Test You Can See – This is one of the easiest
diagnoses your doctor will ever have to make. Male-pattern
baldness is detected based purely on the appearance and
pattern of the hair loss. Other atypical hair loss may be caused
by a medical disorder and requires a more specific test to
determine the cause.
   6. The Easiest Treatment – Disguises are available, of course.
Hair pieces are a cheap way to hide the baldness. However, the
reality is that if you are comfortable with your appearance than
you should seriously forget about treatment. You’ll still look
good!
   7. Minoxidil – Otherwise known as Rogaine, this drug is
applied directly to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. It’s
been proven to slow hair loss for many men, while some have
even claimed to grow new hair. Ceasing the treatment will
cause the hair loss to return.
   8. Finasteride -- This prescription pill is also called Propecia. It
inhibits the production of the male hormone
dihydrotestosterone. Similar to Rogaine, men are more likely to
decrease the rate of hair loss through this treatment. New hair
growth is rarer. The good news is that this drug is generally
more effective than Rogaine. Ceasing the treatment will cause
the hair loss to return.
   9. No Jumping the Gun – So far, no prevention technique has
been discovered to inhibit the onset of male pattern baldness.
What the future holds for hair loss is still unknown.