Effective Treatments for Male Pattern Hair Loss: Medications, Procedures, and More

If you are a man and you've started losing your hair, then this video is for you. In this video, we are going to cover common treatment options for male pattern hair loss, including medications and other procedures.

Now, the most common cause of hair loss in men is male pattern hair loss, and it can begin early—even in your late teens or early twenties. By the age of 50, more than half of white men have a visible sign of male pattern hair loss like noticeable thinning, a receding hairline, or balding. So, how does male-pattern hair loss progress? Generally speaking, male pattern baldness tends to develop slowly. The good news is that there are treatment options available if this is something you want to treat. The primary aim of treatment is to try to reduce further hair loss, and some men regrow a bit of their hair. The men who tend to see the best results start treatment soon after noticing hair loss.

So now let's cover some of the potential treatment options—starting with medications. In the USA, the FDA has approved certain medications for male pattern hair loss. The first of these is Topical minoxidil, which in the US is available without a prescription. Topical just means you rub it into the scalp. This is one of the most commonly used treatments for male pattern hair loss. In clinical trials, minoxidil has been shown to reduce hair loss, stimulate hair growth, and strengthen existing strands of hair. However, while minoxidil can help, you're unlikely to see full regrowth.

In terms of use, you should always follow the instructions given by your health provider and on the information leaflet. Generally, you should apply this medication to your scalp, typically twice a day, every day. In terms of how long it takes to see results, some men respond to minoxidil better than others, and some men fail to see any difference. If minoxidil works for you, it can take up to six to 12 months to see results. Again, it is important to follow the specific directions given to you by your health provider.

Like any medication, minoxidil can have side effects, so you should always read the information leaflet inside the medication pack. Some men develop an irritated scalp, but the newer formulation, which is a foam, seems to reduce this risk. Other possible side effects include an itchy scalp or headaches. Many men see results when they use only minoxidil. If you see a dermatologist, your dermatologist may add a prescription medication to your treatment plan. This can improve results. When you stop applying minoxidil, generally you lose its benefits. Because minoxidil helps you maintain your hair's thickness, some hairs may look and feel thinner. You'll also gradually notice that you're shedding more hair.

The second common medication is finasteride. This is a prescription medication, meaning you will need to see your health provider to prescribe it, and they will weigh up whether or not this is suitable for you. Finasteride has been shown to slow down further hair loss in about 80% to 90% of men taking it. Some men also see some hair regrowth, which tends to occur in men who start finasteride when they first notice signs of hair loss. Generally, taking finasteride involves taking a pill every day. If finasteride helps you, you will generally start to see results in about 6 months.

Again, like any medication, there are side effects to be aware of. These include decreased sex drive, the inability to get or keep an erection, swelling and tenderness in the breast area, and in some cases, depression. It has also been reported that sexual side effects can continue after the patient stops taking finasteride. Due to the seriousness of these side effects, you will need to have a detailed discussion with your doctor before they prescribe finasteride. To maintain results, you must continue taking one pill every day. Once you stop taking this medication, hair loss returns.

Now, away from medications, there are some other potential options. Some affected individuals find wigs, toupees, and even hair extensions very helpful in disguising hair loss. In the UK, generally, only synthetic wigs are available under the NHS. Synthetic wigs and hairpieces, such as a toupee, usually last about 6 to 9 months, are easy to wash and maintain, but can be susceptible to heat damage and may be hot to wear. Real hair wigs or hairpieces can look more natural, can be styled with low heat, and are cooler to wear.

Skin camouflage is another option. With this option, spray preparations containing small pigmented fibers are available from the internet and may help to disguise the condition in some individuals. These preparations, however, may wash away if the hair gets wet—i.e., rain, swimming, perspiration—and they only tend to last between brushing/shampooing.

Finally, surgical treatment is not offered under the NHS. This can be sought privately and includes hair transplantation, a procedure where hair follicles are taken from the back and sides of the scalp and transplanted onto the bald areas; and scalp reduction, where a section of the bald area is removed and the hair-bearing scalp stretched to cover the gap. In the USA, several laser devices are now available to treat hair loss at home, and the FDA has cleared some. If you see "FDA cleared" on the packaging or within information about the laser, this means the FDA recognizes the laser as a safe treatment—but whether or not they work will depend on the individual who uses them. It is also important to remember that the requirements for getting FDA cleared are much less stringent than for getting FDA approved, so this is subtle wording that you should be aware of.

There is also something called platelet-rich plasma (or PRP), and while PRP is not a permanent solution, maintenance treatments can help you maintain results. Because this isn't really done in the UK, I'm not going to cover it in this video, but it is just worth mentioning so you are aware of it and can do your own research.

For more information on male pattern hair loss, please see the resources in the description box of this video from trusted resources such as the British Association of Dermatologists and the NHS website. If you want to share your own experiences to help others, please do so in the comments section of the video. Please consider subscribing to the channel for weekly health education videos.

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