MALE PATTERN BALDING
Other names: male balding, male androgenetic alopecia, hereditary thinning, MPB
How common is Male Pattern Balding?
- About 30 % of men by age 30 and 50 % by age 50 years of age will have androgenetic alopecia or male pattern balding.
Do men inherit male balding from mom’s side or dad’s side?
- The condition is inherited from both sides, contrary to popular belief that it is only mom’s side.
What do men with male pattern balding experience?
- Men experience hair loss in the temples and the crown which slowly progresses to involve the entire frontal, mid and top of the scalp in some individuals.
- The back of the scalp is usually not involved as this area tends to be resistant to balding
- The condition is usually asymptomatic. In the early stages, many men will experience slightly increased shedding of hairs.
What tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis?
- Male pattern balding is a clinical diagnosis meaning that a scalp biopsy and blood tests are not needed for the vast majority of individuals.
What are the treatments for male pattern balding?
Treatments include:
- minoxidil
- finasteride
- low level laser therapy
- platelet rich plasma
- hair transplantation
- wigs, hairpieces
- scalp micropigmentation