Male pattern hair loss, namely Androgenetic alopecia; It is a dermatological condition that can cause serious psychosocial problems, resulting in hair loss or thinning, retraction of the hairline or opening of the crown area, which generally starts at the age of 20-30, in relation to male hormone sensitivity in individuals with a genetic predisposition.
At what age does androgentic alopecia begin?
Androgenetic alopecia is seen in 30% of white men up to the age of 30 and 50% of men up to the age of 50. It is referred to as male pattern hair loss or baldness.
What is the cause of androgenetic alopecia?
This disease occurs with genetic and hormonal effects. With the effect of the hormone dihydrotestosterone on the hair root, the diameter of the hair becomes smaller, the length becomes shorter and the color becomes lighter. In more advanced stages, the hair root is completely destroyed and the hair does not grow in that area.
What are the symptoms of androgenetic alopecia?
Hair thinning, thinning, as well as retraction of the hairline are the most prominent features. It begins at the age of 30-40 in men and at the age of 50-60 in women. In men, the hairline regresses, thinning of the hair and the appearance of that area completely balding and with the crown opening are seen, while in women the hairline cannot be receded and a crown-like thinning is observed.
How is androgenetic alopecia recognized?
The diagnosis is easily made by the patient's complaints and disease history, dermatological examination, and family history. The skin is completely normal. In some cases, dermoscopy may be helpful in diagnosis.
How is androgenetic alopecia treated?
The aim of the treatment is to reduce hair loss, slow down the progression and keep the years of intense androgen activity away from the effects of hormones as much as possible.
What is used in the treatment?
Minoxidil is a drug with proven efficacy among the lotions to be applied in the treatment. Finasteride tablets taken orally are effective in long-term use. However, it should be used under the supervision of a dermatologist due to its obvious side effects. Results can also be obtained with spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, flutamide and cimetidine, which have been proven to be effective in some studies but not licensed for androgenetic alopecia. However, this should be decided by your doctor.
Other methods include hair transplantation, wig application, bonding hair prostheses, cosmetic camouflage.
Can androgenetic type alopecia be prevented?
This type of hair loss can be significantly corrected with the drugs used. Since the hair follicles between the ages of 25-45 will regress over time, hair loss can be delayed with appropriate timely treatments, so hair loss is partially prevented.
Will the hair continue to fall out after the treatment is stopped?
Since androgen hormone activity will begin to decrease around the age of 50 in men, hair loss may start again after a while after the treatment is stopped due to the continuation of the activation of this hormone until this age. For this reason, you may need to continue the treatments at intervals after the end of the treatment with the recommendations of your dermatologist.
What should be considered in androgenetic type alopecia?
It is important to protect from the sun to prevent the development of actinic keratosis, sunspots and skin cancers, as the reduction or complete loss of hair on the scalp will increase the effect of the sun in that area.