Published on May 17, 2018 and last reviewed on Apr 18, 2023 - 5 min read
Abstract
Androgenic alopecia is pattern baldness that occurs in people of both sexes. Read the article to know the available treatment options.
Introduction:
Male pattern hair loss is more common in many people and is called androgenic alopecia. Usually, it begins around the temples and on the top of the head. It is M-shaped at first before reaching around the head and insides. Complete scalp can be involved at times. Generally, it is associated with sex hormone imbalance, especially androgens, and is genetic. The main culprit is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which, when increased, can cause a shortening of the hair growth cycle and delay new hair growth. No new hair follicles will be formed, but if follicles are still alive, they can be considered for treatment to grow the dormant follicles. Pattern baldness has a gradual onset and occurs after puberty.
Male Pattern Baldness - Hair loss starts at the temples or crown of the head.
Female Pattern Baldness - Hair loss occurs on the top and crown of the scalp.
Alopecia Areata - It is an autoimmune disease with bald spots.
Scarring Alopecia - It is characterized by the presence of scars due to infection or radiation.
Toxic Alopecia - This type of hair loss occurs due to medications like antihypertensives, blood thinners, chemotherapy, etc.
The causes of pattern baldness include:
Hormonal imbalance.
Injury or burns.
Scalp infections like ringworm.
Aging.
Insufficient protein intake.
Iron deficiency.
Radiation or chemotherapy.
Drug-induced.
Psychological disorders such as trichotillomania (it is a recurrent urge to pull out hair due to a mental illness).
Different hairstyles and hair treatments.
Use of hair procedures, including coloring.
Handling hair roughly while brushing.
Some medical conditions like lichen planus, celiac disease, psoriasis, syphilis, lupus, sarcoidosis, etc.
Telogen effluvium, where all the follicles go to the resting phase and become dormant.
Minoxidil - It is available as a 2 % solution or 5 % foam that can be applied to the scalp and is FDA-approved. It is directly applied to the scalp, slows hair loss, and grows new hair, but one should continue the treatment for a long time. Adverse effects can happen but are negligible.
Finasteride - They are oral preparations that bind to the enzyme and block DHT, which slows down the growth of hair follicles. Thus, it slows hair loss but has side effects like chills and rigors, erectile dysfunction, etc.
Antifungal shampoos like Nizoral are also helpful.
Dutasteride, a five alpha-reductase inhibitor, inhibits DHT and helps slow hair loss.
Topical Spironolactone can also be used. In women, oral anti-androgens are usually used. Anti-androgens are more useful and effective if the signs of virilization are present.
Derma roller plastic can be tried to massage the scalp.
Prevent insulin resistance.
Stimulate hair follicle growth by laser therapy; low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is done to stimulate the follicle's growth.
JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitor Tofacitinib is new in the market and is used in alopecia areata.
Stem cells can also be implanted, which can grow as hair.
The fibroblast growth factor can also help in hair growth.
Hair follicle engineering is a new concept in hair growth, and its procedures are quite expensive.
Quorum sensing is a new concept and is still in the evolutionary stage.
Leech therapy is also helpful for baldness, and it improves circulation, which causes hair to grow.
Acupuncture has also gained an advantage as it improves circulation and activates trigger points to stimulate hair follicle growth.
A hair transplant is the last option, and several hair follicles can be moved from one area to the bald area. There are two types of procedures - follicle unit transplant and follicle unit extraction. It is a very effective and permanent solution that can be done under local anesthesia.
Eat energy-rich foods such as orange, avocado, carrot, yogurt, sweet potato, pepper, fatty fish like salmon having omega 3 fatty acids, spinach (vitamin A, iron, and folate), beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, eggs, lean meat like chicken and turkey, biotin (vitamin B7) containing foods like onion, sweet potato, eggs, fortified cereals, chicken, oats, nuts and zinc-containing foods like oysters, lobsters, and fortified cereals.
Drink a lot of water.
Drink green tea.
Do not drink a lot of caffeine.
Apply onion juice extract to the scalp, leave it for 30 minutes, and wash it.
Saw palmetto is a berry plant that can be applied topically.
Hibiscus and Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba or false daisy) are also helpful if the extract is applied to the scalp or used in oil.
Scalp massage is one of the best methods to improve circulation and cause hair follicle growth. Many oils are best applied to the scalp and are very effective. Essential oils like thyme, rosemary, cedarwood, and lavender are the best. A person can even use peppermint oil, pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, castor oil, almond oil, olive oil, and amla (Indian gooseberry) oil, and all are found to benefit hair growth.
Fenugreek seeds (methi) paste can be directly applied for 40 minutes, left, and washed. It can be mixed with water or milk.
Aloe vera gel also improves hair growth if applied.
Licorice root paste can be applied with water or saffron and milk and applied.
Coffee, honey, and olive oil can be mixed and applied.
Chinese hibiscus flowers can be put into coconut or olive oil to char it, collect oil, and applied.
Beetroot, flax seeds, and coconut milk are all tried in this aspect.
Mustard oil and henna leaves are the best combinations.
Beer, honey, and boiled wheat, along with banana and egg yolk, can be a great combination for a hair pack tried with good results.
Stop smoking since it can cause reduced growth of a hair follicle.
Conclusion:
Androgenic alopecia shows an inheritance pattern and tends to cluster in families. Many genetic and environmental factors are responsible for this condition. This condition starts as early as the teenage years, and the risk increases with age. Medications and home remedies can help with the regrowth of hair. The key to this condition is patient education and awareness.
As of now, there is no known cure for androgenic alopecia. As this condition progresses very slowly, early diagnosis can help manage the disease much better. There are various therapies available for this condition. Examples include 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and Minoxidil.
Androgenic alopecia in men is believed to be due to a combination of genetics and the androgen Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). But, the cause of female pattern hair loss remains unclear. 50 % of males and 25 % of females after 50 years are affected by pattern baldness. Hormonal changes and certain medications are said to trigger this condition.
Treatment for androgenic alopecia can stop hair loss, and a small degree of regrowth is also possible. But, abnormal levels of androgens in hair follicles can make the cycle of hair growth shorter, and the hair that grows is thinner. Also, the growth of new hair to replace lost hair is delayed.
Pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is a permanent condition. But both in men and women, the condition progresses very slowly, taking several years for complete baldness. If the onset of the disease is early, the progression can be fast.
Onion juice is said to stimulate growth, improve thickness, and regenerate hair growth in people suffering from hair fall. But, onion juice is not a proven cure for pattern baldness or other hair loss-related disorders.
Stress is said to intensify the symptoms of androgenic alopecia significantly, and the main reason being the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, by the body. Cortisol can raise the levels of testosterone and worsen androgenic alopecia.
- Pattern baldness is a common type of hair loss in men and women. In males, hair loss seen in male-pattern baldness is well-defined. The hair fall or thinning begins above the temples, and eventually, the hairline recedes and forms the characteristic M-shape. There is also thinning of hair at the crown, resulting in partial or complete baldness.
- In females, thinning of hair occurs all over the head, but the hairline does not recede. It rarely leads to total baldness.
As of now, the FDA has approved the following two pharmacologic treatments for androgenic alopecia:
- Minoxidil.
- Finasteride.
The other treatment options include scalp micro-needling, laser therapy, hair mesotherapy, and hair transplantation.
Androgenetic alopecia is a progressive condition. The rate of progression is slow in both men and women, and it takes decades for total baldness. Without treatment, hair loss gets worse because of hormonal changes. Menopause can shrink the hair follicle, making your hair thinner or finer. Hair growth is affected, and hair fall increases.
In case androgenic alopecia is the cause of your hair fall, full regrowth of lost hair might not be possible. But with proper treatment, hair loss can be stopped, and some of the lost hair can be regained. Minoxidil, when applied topically, prolongs the hair’s growth rate and prevents hair fall.
The exact cause of pattern baldness is not known, and genetic and hormonal factors seem to play a role. But, it is not an autoimmune disease like alopecia areata, which is a condition that results in bald patches due to autoimmune reaction.
Doctors usually diagnose pattern baldness in men based on clinical features. In females, further investigation is needed to differentiate it from other types of hair loss. Tests like trichoscopy, biopsy, etc., might be required.
Massaging the scalp with coconut oil is the best home remedy for hair loss. It improves circulation and causes the growth of hair follicles. Apart from coconut oil, you can also use rosemary oil, lavender oil, cedarwood oil, pumpkin seed oil, castor oil, almond oil, etc.
Androgenic alopecia usually progresses at a slow pace and might take a few years to cause significant hair follicle damage and baldness. It commonly occurs in men older than 50 years and can lead to total baldness. Only 25 % of women are affected after 50 years of age, which rarely leads to baldness.
The following food items can promote hair growth and prevent baldness:
- Eggs.
- Fatty fish.
- Spinach.
- Carrot.
- Nuts and seeds.
Last reviewed at:
18 Apr 2023 - 5 min read
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