Androgenetic Alopecia

Alopecia is the technical term for baldness or loss of hair from head or body. It is different from hair shedding which is a normal and cyclic process. Androgenetic alopecia, better known as male pattern baldness, is a major cause for concern. It is a common and prevalent condition that correlates to the patient’s age.

Basic Facts:

• Short, thin, lightly coloured and unremarkable hairs are called Vellus.
• They get replaced by terminal hairs due to puberty and hormones.
• The terminal filaments are also known as androgenetic hairs.
• They are long, dark, and thick as compared to the vellus type.
• Male pattern baldness gradually converts androgenetic to vellus hairs.
• Noticeable decrease happens on the forehead (M-shape) and crown.
• It is a progressive disorder and is the prevalent cause of hair loss in men.
• It is characterised as a genetic condition that can also occur in women.
• The hairline starts receding and gradually disappears(leading to baldness).

              Tip: Visit a cosmetic clinic for regular or periodic checkups to allay fears. You will be able to relax, live, and sleep more peacefully after doctor’s diagnosis.

Well Known Causes

1. Male hormonal activity or imbalances(mainly androgen or testosterone).
2. Malnutrition, anaemia, poor dietary, sex life, and sleep habits.
3. Family history(heredity) and genetics are also cited.
4. Lifestyle choices, weather or climate change(not well established).
5. As mentioned above, Passage of time or age is a key consideration.

Some Statistics:

According to International Trichology Journal, The following statistics are recorded –

1. Men in the age group of 30 yrs. to 50 yrs. are most vulnerable.
2. The hair loss is measured and graded or classified into types.
3. Progressive disorder increases in the scales I, II, IIa, III, III Vertex, IIIa, etc.,
4. Excessive loss on forehead and crown is graded into IV, IVa, V, Va, VI, and VII.
5. Some degree of thinning happens in every second male(and third female).
6. Up to 74% of men and women suffer from this disorder in Asian countries.
7. The Type II pattern is highly prevalent in Indian male population(up to 60 yrs.)
8. Older patients and retirees(> 60 yrs.) usually show Type III Vertex symptoms.
9. Frontal baldness in men(1%) and female pattern baldness(0,2%) are rare in India.
10. In 85% of established cases, Type II(28%) and Type III(15%) were the most common.

Treatments

The best hair treatment in Mumbai for male pattern loss takes these factors into account –

• Doctor’s Guidelines

• The specialist performs a complete check up of the hair, skin, and scalp.
• He carries out pull and tug tests and may prescribe other diagnostics.
• Those without serious problem are suggested basic hair care routines.
  

• Medicines

• Medical treatment has to be continuous in order to produce good results.
• Based on the condition, Doctor prescribes a non-curative treatment.
• Topical Minoxidil solution is generally suggested( 1 ml. twice daily).
• Daily dosage of 1 mg. Oral finasteride inhibitors is for scalp hair regrowth.
• For women, oral antiandrogens(Cyproterone acetate, spironolactone and flutamide).
• Other drugs include dutasteride, topical alfatradiol, bimatoprost, latanoprost, etc,.
• Hair loss reduces after 3 to 6 months, while re-growth takes up to 1 year.
  

• Surgical Alternatives

• Care and medicines are only assistive and not curative.
• Permanent cure is in the form of a hair transplant surgery.
• Techniques include FUT, FUE, strip harvesting, robotic hair restore, etc.,

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