Male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) is a type of hair loss that affects people assigned male at birth (AMAB). It causes you to lose hair on the skin covering your head (scalp), and your hair doesn’t grow back. Other signs of male-pattern baldness include thinning hair and a hairline that moves farther back on your head (receding hairline).

There are seven stages of male pattern baldness according to the Hamilton-Norwood scale:

Stage 1: There’s little or no hair loss or hairline recession.

Stage 2: There’s slight hair loss near the skin between your ears and forehead (temples).

Stage 3: You have deep hairline recession around your temples, and your hairline may have an “M” or “U” shape.

Stage 4: You have very deep hairline recession and a loss of hair at the top of your head (crown).

Stage 5: Your hairline recession connects to the bald spot on your crown.

Stage 6: The hair between your temples and crown is thinning or gone.

Stage 7: You have no hair on the top of your head and a thin band of hair around the side of your head.

                                Stages of male pattern baldness

                    

Symptoms of male pattern baldness

  • Hair thinning or loss on your crown.
  • Hair thinning or loss near your temples.
  • Receding hairline.

Male pattern baldness doesn’t hurt. Many start to notice the early stages of male pattern baldness by their 30s, but they may begin as early as your late teenage years or early 20s.

Hair loss on your crown usually appears in a circular shape. A receding hairline often occurs in an “M” shape. As you continue to lose hair, hair loss around your crown and temples may meet to form a “U” shape.

Causes of male pattern baldness

The following factors contribute to male pattern baldness:

  • Age: The chances of developing male pattern baldness increase with age. About 25% of people assigned male at birth see the first signs of hair loss before age 21. By age 50, half experience hair loss, and about 70% will lose hair as they get older.
  • Hormones: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a type of androgen. Androgens are a group of sex hormones that help people enter puberty and mature physically. Physical developments include hair growth on the face, scalp, chest, underarms and genitals. Medical experts and researchers think that there might be a link between DHT and your hair follicles shrinking.
  • Genetics: People assigned male at birth have one X chromosome they inherit from their mother and one Y chromosome they inherit from their father. The AR gene on your X chromosome tells your body how to make androgens. Your AR gene’s sensitivity helps determine male pattern baldness.

Prevention 

  • Eating extra protein, especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan. You need 40 to 60 grams (g) of protein a day. The Mediterranean diet includes fruits, vegetables and protein that may help minimize hair loss.
  • Taking vitamins. Certain vitamins and minerals — including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc and iron — help maintain healthy hair, skin and muscle tissue. 
  • Finding ways to cope with stress. Stress may contribute to male pattern baldness by increasing activity in your androgens.

Treatment/Medications

Medications: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications prescribed by your Dermatologist, are usually the first course of treatment for male pattern baldness.

Platelet-rich plasma: A healthcare provider removes blood from your body, processes it and injects it into your scalp to stimulate hair growth. Side effects may include scalp pain and irritation, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Exosomes with Microneedling: Ten times more potent than prp,this is the latest treatment module.

Hair transplant: A healthcare provider takes skin grafts from areas of your body that contain healthy hair and moves them to bald or thinning areas of your scalp. Side effects may include scalp pain and irritation, scarring, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.