An Early Sign of Male Pattern Baldness
For many men, it can be tough to see thinning hair. While we know this moment may one day come, hair loss hurts – emotionally and psychologically, if not physically.
Hair thinning at the front is often one of the first signs of male pattern baldness (MPB), the condition that pretty much every man will experience as they get older. For some of us, MPB might just stop with a receding hairline. For others, it can lead to hair loss all over the scalp.
Here, we explain what’s causing your hair to thin at the front of your head. And, most importantly, we’ll tell you what you can do about it.
Why Is My Hair Thinning at the Front?
Hair thinning in men usually happens because of male pattern baldness – or androgenetic alopecia, as it’s sometimes known. It’s a hormonal condition that is, unfortunately, par for the course of being a man. According to the American Hair Loss Association, by 35, two-thirds of men will have some sign of hair loss. By the age of 50, that number’s up to 85%.
It happens because of an androgen (a male hormone) known as DHT, or dihydrotestosterone. Produced by an enzyme, 5-alpha reductase, created when your body breaks down testosterone, DHT occurs naturally in your body. The trouble is, as it accumulates, your hair follicles on your scalp become sensitive to it – mainly those follicles above the temples and at the crown.
You can see how male pattern hair loss is likely to develop by looking at the Norwood scale, the scientific model for the progression of MPB. Thinning hair is usually the first stage, but if unchecked, the condition can affect hair growth across the scalp.
Treatment is possible – and we’ll come to that. But if your hair becomes too thin at the front, it can mean that your follicles have died completely. At that point, treatment can be much more difficult (though not impossible).
Other Causes of Hair Loss?
MPB is the most common cause of hair thinning in men – by a pretty long way. Estimates suggest that 95% of hair loss cases in men are down to DHT-driven MPB.
However, other conditions may be causing your hair to thin at the front. These include:
- Alopecia areata. An autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in clumps. If you have sudden bald patches, it might be alopecia areata.
- Traction alopecia. This type of hair loss is caused by strain or tension on your follicles. Hairstyles like a tight ponytail or wearing a helmet for sustained periods are often to blame. It’s usually accompanied by a rash, so you will notice.
- Telogen effluvium. A stress-induced type of hair loss in which your hair follicles shed, causing sudden bald spots.
- Thyroid problems. Medical conditions affecting the thyroid gland – such as hyperthyroidism – can cause hair shedding.
- Vitamin deficiencies. Deficiencies in B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and vitamin D can all cause hair loss. Ensuring you get a balanced, healthy diet can keep this problem at bay. Find out more about vitamins for hair growth.
- Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy can cause hair loss too.
Note. If you’re a woman, you may be experiencing female pattern baldness, which is particularly common after menopause. Talk to your doctor or a dermatologist who will be able to help.
How to Tackle Thinning Hair – and Support Regrowth
While managing the emotional stress of hair loss can be challenging, there are solutions. The most effective of these are medicinal – but shampoos and supplements can help defend your hairline against balding too.
Finasteride
Sometimes sold as Propecia, Finasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment on the market. Studies have regularly shown that it promotes hair regrowth in over 80% of men who use it.
Finasteride tackles the causes of male hair loss at their root. Taken as a pill, it intervenes in the process that produces the hormone DHT to reduce the amount you have in your system and to prevent it from doing further damage to your follicles.
It’s the most potent medicine to be licenced for hair loss treatment by the US Food and Drugs Administration and in the UK too.
Note: Do not take Finasteride if you are a woman experiencing female pattern hair loss. Its hormonal function can interrupt crucial processes in the female body.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil – or Rogaine – is another famous treatment for MPB. It’s a topical treatment, meaning that it needs to be applied directly to the scalp, where it encourages blood flow – and supports the health of your follicles.
Two-thirds of men who use the medicine see hair regrowth. But when combined with Finasteride, your chances of success reach over 90%. Combined therapy remains the most reliable way to tackle thinning hair.
Hair Loss Shampoo
There are shampoos out there that can help support healthy hair and growth for men with thinning hair. The best of these include a range of natural ingredients found to contribute to the biological process of hair production.
For example, biotin (known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H) is often included in shampoos thanks to its crucial role in keratin production, the protein that makes up your hair.
Keep your wits about you when buying these products, as not all of them do what they claim. Manual’s Power Shampoo includes biotin alongside caffeine and saw palmetto – natural hair growth ingredients backed by science.
Hair Vitamins
We mentioned above that hair loss can often be caused by vitamin deficiency. Some of the most common that cause hair thinning include selenium, biotin (vitamin B7), and zinc.
You can get these from your diet – and we definitely encourage you to do that. To make things easier, though, we’ve put together a hair vitamin supplement that gives you everything your body needs to ensure it naturally fights hair thinning, all in a single gummy.
Key Takeaways
Hair thinning at the front can be a difficult sign to face. It often means male pattern baldness is slowly taking its toll – and the science suggests, if left untreated, it’s likely to spread across your scalp.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Hair loss treatment these days is both easy and affordable. Try combining Finasteride and Minoxidil or switching up your hair care routine to include a hair loss shampoo.
FAQs
What is Male Pattern Baldness and will I get it?
Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is a hormonal process of hair loss which affects almost all men at some stage in life. By 35, around two-thirds of men will see signs of MPB, whilst by the age of 50 that proportion is up to 85%.
Is Male Pattern Baldness responsible for all hair loss?
No, hair loss can be caused by any number of factors, including stress, poor diet, cancer treatment, and more; however MPB is one of the most common causes of hair loss in men, particularly as they get older.
How do I treat Male Pattern Baldness and hair loss?
Whilst there is no cure for Male Pattern Baldness or hair loss, there are plenty of treatments available. The most effective treatment (up to 95% effective) is a combination of Minoxidil and Finasteride.
When is the best time to treat Male Pattern Baldness and hair loss?
When it comes to treating Male Pattern Baldness and hair loss, the earlier you treat it the better! If you leave hair loss for too long, the hair follicles can become too thin to treat.
¹American Hair Loss Association – https://www.americanhairloss.org/men_hair_loss/introduction.html
²Akio Sato, M.D., Ph.D., F Yamaha Building, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku (2011). Evaluation of efficacy and safety of finasteride 1 mg in 3177 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1346-8138.2011.01378.x
While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
