MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS IS A GROWING PROBLEM FOR TODAY’S GENERATION
Earlier hair loss was considered as signs of ageing and people use to neglect it as lack of awareness and unavailability of options leads them to bear it. But nowadays, people are aware and highly interested in getting their hair loss problem resolved. Digitalization has been proven as ocean of knowledge which is making people aware about different advancements in science and technology. Similarly, with growing awareness popularity for hair transplant surgeries are also taking a rise.
Why hair loss occurs?
There are multiple causes of hair loss but the one to be blame most is genetics. Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia refers to genetic dysfunction which runs from generation to generation from either paternal or maternal side. Other contributing factors which causes hair loss includes usage of Hot tools ( Hair straightener, hair curler), hot baths, stress, chemical straightening, tight braiding, post menopausal hormonal change, medications (anti depressants, anti anxiety and anti psychotics), sleep deprivation and poor nutrition.
Male pattern baldness: How genes play a role?
It occurs due to genetic influence by parents genes which results in over sensitive hair follicles to testosterone and its metabolites. DHT (Di hydro testosterone) hormonal sensitivity occurs in hair follicles after its formation from testosterone under the influence of enzyme 5- alpha reductase. Over sensitivity of hair follicles by DHT hormone leads to shrinkage of hair follicles continuously until that hair falls. The process of thinning and shrinkage of hair under the influence of DHT hormone is termed as Miniaturization effect. Progression of the same process over the years could lead to noticeable baldness among men.
Why getting bald only from front and centre?
The reason behind this pattern is that only the hair follicles belonging to frontal (Front) and vertex (centre) area are DHT sensitive as they contains the receptors to bind with the respective hormone. Hair follicles belonging to occipital area are devoid of those receptors and hence stay unharmed by this hormone.
Male pattern baldness involves the frontal portion and while progressing involves the vertex area in scalp. In progressive stages it involves a majority of frontal and vertex portion of head leaving hairs on occipital side (back and side of the head) uninfluenced.
The genetic characteristics of hair lie in the hair follicle and not on the scalp. Hence, the hairs from occipital area transplanted to other DHT sensitive parts would not lead to hair loss as the hair follicle transplanted would not be influenced by DHT hormone.
How does it progress?
Male pattern baldness initiates from frontal or vertex area and its progressions on either area leads to merging of both bald area leaving extensive hair loss. It progresses over the years but people often neglect and feel concerned when it reaches later stages and be noticeable. Norwood classification is the most widely used classification to assess the extent of male pattern baldness.
The stages are as follows:
Class I: Entire hairline lies high on the forehead and is not actually balding.
Class II: Triangular areas of recession in the sides of frontal area and minimal recession on mid frontal area.
Class III: Borderline case. Deepening of triangular recession or can include thinning of hair on the vertex.
Class IV: Further frontal hair loss and widening of hair loss from vertex but still a wide band of hair present separating frontal and vertex hair loss.
Class V: Widening of frontal and vertex hair loss and continual breaking of separation line of hairs between frontal and vertex baldness.
Class VI: Band or bridge of hair disappear merging frontal and vertex baldness.
Class VII: A band of hair presents only in back and side of the head.
When to consult a doctor? Am I too late to do so?
If you are noticing early signs of hair loss it is always better to consult the hair expert as it is well said that “the sooner the better”. But in later stages also you can undergo hair transplant surgery with justifiable results. In extensive cases it might take multiple sittings but still it is possible if you are a suitable candidate for Hair transplant.
To confirm your candidature for hair transplantation you should schedule an appointment with a hair transplant doctor which will assess multiple requirements for hair transplant and approves or rejects the candidature.
How it is treated?
Hair transplant surgeries are the only procedure to treat hair loss with permanent results. This procedure might not regenerate new hair follicles but will surely cover your baldness by shifting of hair follicles. Hair transplantation can be performed by 2 primary methods FUT and FUE which can be selected with the help of suggestions by the surgeon. Nowadays, latest techniques like combination of FUT and FUE are performed for extensive male pattern baldness cases where there is requirement of more number of grafts which cannot be achieved by either method alone.
Dr Suneet Soni (MCh Plastic surgeon), founder of “medispa centre” is pioneer in performing FUT, FUE and combination technique. He is not only a renowned surgeon but also is god gifted with his artistic skills of replicating natural hairline for desirable aesthetic results of hair transplant. Medispa hair transplant centre is well known for its excellence in treating male pattern baldness cases with 100% success rate.
