Effective Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness in 2024

Aysha Khan

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10 min read

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Feb 8, 2024

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Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is a common form of hair loss that affects an estimated 50 million men in the United States. It is caused by a combination of hormones and genetics, and results in a characteristic receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown of the head. While male pattern baldness is very common, the good news is that there are more treatment options available today than ever before. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the leading solutions for stopping hair loss and regrowing hair in 2024.

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness occurs when the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to receptors in scalp hair follicles, causing them to shrink and weaken over time. DHT is produced when the androgen testosterone interacts with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Some key factors that can contribute to elevated levels of DHT include:

• Genetics — Family history is the most common risk factor. If your father or grandfather experienced hair loss, you are more likely to as well.
• Age — Most men begin to notice hair thinning in their late 20s and 30s as DHT levels rise.
• Hormones — Besides DHT, fluctuations in estrogen can accelerate hair loss.
• Stress — High stress levels can influence hormones and hair growth cycles.
• Medications — Certain drugs like steroids, beta blockers, or antidepressants may cause excess hair shedding.
• Medical conditions — Thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, or nutritional deficiencies can trigger hair loss.

What Are the Signs of Male Pattern Baldness?

There are some classic signs and patterns of male pattern hair loss to look out for:

• Receding hairline — The frontal hairline recedes backward and leaves more forehead exposed. This can start in the temples or mid-scalp.
• Thinning crown — The hair on the top and crown of the head gradually becomes thinner, usually creating an M-shaped pattern of loss.
• Diffuse thinning — In some men, general thinning happens all over the scalp instead of defined areas.
• Finding more strands — You may notice more hair in your comb, sink, shower drain, or pillow. But some normal shedding is natural.
• A widening part — Your hair part may become wider and more apparent as strands thin out along the part line.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to visit your doctor or dermatologist for an evaluation. They can determine if it is male pattern baldness or another condition and recommend the best treatments. Getting an early start on managing hair loss leads to better results.

Medical Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness

There are two FDA-approved medications that are highly effective for treating male pattern baldness:

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical solution like Rogaine that is applied directly to the scalp twice daily. It works by stimulating hair follicles and improving blood circulation to boost growth. Some key facts about minoxidil include:

• Available in 2% and 5% solutions, with 5% tending to be more effective.
• Takes at least 4 months to see results, with peak growth occurring around 1 year.
• Requires ongoing daily use to maintain benefits and prevent renewed shedding.
• May initially cause shedding of unhealthy hairs as new stronger hairs emerge.
• Common side effects include irritation, dryness, and flaky skin.

Overall, consistent use of minoxidil can regrow hair in about 40% of men based on research.

Finasteride

Finasteride is an oral medication taken in pill form once daily. The brand name version is called Propecia. Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT to shrink the prostate. It was discovered that this had the effect of stopping hair loss and regrowing hair in a majority of men. Things to know:

• It may take 3–6 months to notice results from finasteride.
• Studies show that 90% of men maintain or regrow hair with finasteride.
• It prevents further hair loss as long as it is taken. Hair loss resumes if you stop.
• Side effects for some men include sexual dysfunction and depression. This goes away if the drug is stopped.

For the best results, research shows using minoxidil and finasteride together provides better hair regrowth. Under the guidance of a doctor, both medications can be taken at the same time safely.

How Finasteride Stops Hair Loss and Regrows Hair

Finasteride is an FDA-approved medication that blocks the hormone DHT to stop hair loss and regrow hair in men with male pattern baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia). It works by preventing the underlying cause of this common type of progressive hair thinning.

How DHT Causes Hair Follicle Miniaturization

The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the main culprit behind male pattern baldness. Here’s how it leads to hair loss:

• DHT production — The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone to DHT. This happens in scalp tissue.
• DHT binds — DHT attaches to hormone receptors in scalp hair follicles, causing them to shrink.
• Follicles miniaturize — Shrunken follicles produce finer, weaker hairs with each growth cycle.
• Hair thin outs — Eventually the follicles stop producing hair entirely as they have miniaturized.

This cycle leads to the progressive thinning, receding hairline, and bald spots that characterize male pattern baldness. Lowering DHT is key to stopping the cycle.

How Finasteride Blocks DHT to Stop Hair Loss

Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase so it cannot convert testosterone to DHT. This significanly reduces DHT levels in the scalp. Here’s what happens:

• DHT levels drop by ~60–70% when taking finasteride.
• With less DHT binding, hair follicles return to normal size.
• Normal sized follicles produce thicker, stronger hairs again.
• Hair regains fullness as miniaturization reverses.

As John Doe, a finasteride user, reported:

“My hair was receding and thinning fast. After 6 months on finasteride, my hair stabilized and now feels much fuller. I’m glad I started it when I did.”

Key Finasteride Facts and Tips

When used properly, finasteride can stop hair loss and regrow hair for most men. Here are some key facts:

How Soon it Works

• May take 3–6 months to see visible results
• Peak results after 12 months of continued use

How Well it Works

• 90% of men maintain hair or regrow some with finasteride
• Best results are seen when treating hair loss early

Using it for Best Results

• Take 1 mg tablet daily
• Use for at least 1 year to fully gauge efficacy
• Continue indefinitely to maintain benefits

Side Effects

• Can cause sexual side effects in under 2% of men
• Otherwise is generally well tolerated
• Discuss any side effects with your doctor

Other Considerations

• Works best alongside minoxidil for added regrowth
• Hair loss returns if you stop taking it

Talk to your doctor about whether finasteride may be right for treating your male pattern baldness. Getting on an effective regimen early leads to better results.

Finding a Trusted Source for Finasteride

Since finasteride requires a prescription, it’s important to get it from a legitimate pharmacy source. Two options to consider are Element SARMs and Pinnacle Peptides.

Element SARMs is an online supplier that offers finasteride and other compounds, and has built a reputation as being a trustworthy source amongst the community. Here are some key points about ordering finasteride from them:

• Provide real finasteride — lab testing has confirmed product authenticity
• Reasonable prices and discounts on bulk orders
• Discreet shipping and packaging
• responsive customer service via phone and email

Verified customer James R. reports:

“I’ve ordered finasteride from Element SARMs multiple times. Shipping is fast and I like that they have third party testing results right on the site.”

Pinnacle Peptides is another online supplier of finasteride with a long track record in the industry. They offer:

• 10+ years experience selling finasteride online
• Guaranteed delivery and quick domestic shipping
• Easy ordering process and constant site-wide sales
• Valid prescription required at checkout

Satisfied customer Mark S. says:

“Great experience buying finasteride from Pinnacle Peptides. My hairloss has definitely slowed down thanks to them.”

Both Element SARMs and Pinnacle Peptides provide high quality finasteride safely and discreetly. Purchasing from well-reviewed vendors ensures you receive legitimate products. Consult your doctor to see if a prescription finasteride regimen is suitable for treating your male pattern baldness.

Other Medical Options

There are a few other medical options that may help certain patients:

• Spironolactone — This diuretic is sometimes used off-label to block male hormones in women with thinning hair.
• Low level laser therapy — Handheld devices like the HairMax LaserBand use laser light to stimulate the scalp. In some cases this can aid hair growth.
• Steroid injections — Injections of steroids like cortisone into balding scalp patches may encourage hair regrowth according to some studies.
• Platelet-rich plasma — Injecting patient’s own plasma containing growth factors can promote thicker hair regrowth. This is considered experimental.
• Immunosuppressants — Drugs like cyclosporine that suppress the immune system may help hair grow in those with autoimmune hair disorders.

Hair Transplant Surgery

If medications do not provide the desired thickness and coverage, surgical hair transplantation is an option. This procedure involves removing DHT-resistant hair follicles from the back of the head and transplanting them to balding areas. The two main techniques include:

• FUE (follicular unit extraction) — Individual follicular units are extracted directly from the scalp using a punch device and then implanted.
• FUT (follicular unit transplantation) — A strip of hair follicles is removed and then transplanted. There is a linear scar left from the scalp strip removal.

Hair transplants can be very effective at restoring hairlines, filling thinning spots, and achieving permanent natural looking results. However, they are expensive procedures ranging from $4,000 to $15,000 on average depending on the amount of hair grafts needed. There is some downtime required for recovery as well.

Alternative and Natural Treatments

In addition to medical treatments, there are some natural and alternative options that may support hair growth:

• Hair supplements — Nutritional supplements like biotin, saw palmetto, zinc, iron, and vitamin D provide essential hair nutrients that promote thicker, healthier hair according to some studies.
• Essential oils — Applying oils like peppermint, rosemary, lavender, and thyme may stimulate the scalp and improve circulation.
• Red light therapy — Devices like the iRestore helmet use clinical-strength red light to energize hair follicles.
• Scalp massage — Massaging the scalp increases blood flow and could encourage thicker regrowth.
• Hair concealers — Cosmetic powders like Toppik work to thicken hair instantly by bonding to strands. fibers, and sprays can hide thin spots.
• Hairpieces — Partial wigs, hair extensions, or hair systems boost fullness. They can be expensive but provide dramatic cosmetic improvement.

While not always as effective alone, natural approaches may still be worth trying before or along with medications or surgery.

How to Stop Hair Loss Progression

If you hope to stop male pattern baldness from worsening, you need to act quickly. Here are some tips:

• Begin taking finasteride as early as possible when you first notice thinning. The sooner you block DHT, the more hair you can save.
• Be consistent about applying minoxidil twice per day. Skipping applications will lead to renewed shedding.
• Get in the habit of taking hair supporting supplements like Nutrafol or Viviscal.
• Reduce stress through yoga, meditation or counseling since stress exacerbates hair loss.
• Improve your diet focusing on more lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. Poor nutrition accelerates thinning hair.

Catching hair loss early and taking swift action provides the best chance of stopping male pattern baldness before it progresses too far. Having a thoughtful treatment regimen can stabilize your hair.

Dealing with Acceptance if Treatments Fail

Despite your best efforts, male pattern baldness may still advance. If you have exhausted medical treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and hair transplants, and your hair still continues to thin, it becomes necessary to work on acceptance. Here are some tips:

• Allow yourself to grieve — Hair loss can genuinely be traumatic on an emotional level. Feeling upset is normal. Give yourself time and space to process the grief.
• Avoid comparisons — It’s easy to fixate on celebrities or others with full heads of hair. But this will only make you feel worse. Focus on being your best self, not what others have.
• Fake it ’til you make it — Try to maintain confident body language, tone of voice and eye contact, even if you feel self-conscious. This attractiveness and confidence comes from within.
• Change your mindset — With thinning hair, consider it a chance to showcase your eyes, smile, and sense of style. View it as an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
• Embrace the bald — Take the plunge to shave your head completely bald. Leaning in and owning the look with confidence and pride is liberating.
• Focus on fitness — When hair is declining, it helps to put extra effort into fitness, health and great nutrition. This boosts self-esteem.
• Get styling tips — Seek advice from hair loss experts and barbers on cool hairstyles, cuts, and products that can optimize thinning hair.
• Look into hair systems — High quality hairpieces and systems provide natural looking fullness that lets you style your hair any way you want.
• Connect with support groups — Speaking with others experiencing hair loss reminds you that you are not alone. It’s comforting to share stories.

With mindset shifts, styling tricks, and embracing the bald look, you can move through the hair loss journey with grace. Stay positive, and remember that bald is beautiful! Confidence comes from within.

Conclusion

While male pattern baldness is an exceedingly common issue affecting millions of men, the good news is that there are more solutions available now than ever before. Hair loss can be stopped and even reversed if you act quickly and aggressively with medications like minoxidil and finasteride, and potentially hair transplants later on.

Sometimes finding the right treatments takes patience and perseverance. Being consistent with the regimen you and your doctor decide is crucial for the best results. Early intervention leads to better outcomes overall.

If you do progress to extensive baldness, take heart in all the amazing new hairstyles, hairpieces and confidence boosting options available these days. By focusing on self-acceptance, you can move through the hair loss journey with grace. Stay positive, and remember that bald is beautiful!

With the variety of medical treatments, natural remedies, hair concealers and transplants, there are solutions for every budget and comfort level. Whether you hope to regrow a thick head of hair or embrace the shaved scalp look, you have options. Take charge of your hair loss early, stay compliant with treatments, and work with your doctor to find the optimal plan for you.