Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia
, is a category of progressive hair thinning that occurs in most adult men. This is perhaps the best known kind of male baldness. In this condition, hair loss occurs in a pattern, which could either be from the top (crown) of the head, from the sides (temples), or even from the front (forehead). Almost half of the men in the world are likely to suffer from male pattern baldness by the age of 40. Although a man could start experiencing male pattern
baldness at an earlier age, the hair loss becomes more severe as he grows older. Men may eventually lose at least 70% of their hair when the male pattern baldness has reached its peak.
There are two major ways of treating this
condition. Of course, artificial hair implantation is something that many individuals choose, but this cannot be considered a treatment for male pattern baldness in its truest sense. Treatment refers to options that prevent further hair loss.
A chief cause of male baldness is secretion of the hormone called DHT. The higher the amount of DHT produced in the body, the greater the hair loss. One way to treat male pattern hair loss and prevent baldness is to use natural remedies. These remedies work by preventing the secretion of DHT.
Saw palmetto, a natural herb, is a blocker of
DHT and is thus an excellent natural remedy for male pattern baldness. Another effective herb is Nettle root. It offers a highly potent cure when combined with the herb Pygeum.
Consuming supplements containing vitamins A, B, and C also helps limit hair loss. Vitamin A stimulates natural hair growth by producing the oily sebum in the scalp, thereby preventing male baldness.
Vitamin B, found in various natural food sources, helps produce thicker and stronger hair. On the other hand, vitamin C ensures better transportation of blood to the hair follicles, thus combating baldness.
A mixture of olive oil and cinnamon powder is also an excellent remedy for male pattern baldness. Make a paste by adding two teaspoons of cinnamon powder to a cup of
olive oil. Apply it to the scalp and leave it on for an hour before washing off. Another home remedy for male baldness is mustard seed. Just boil a handful of mustard seeds in a liter of water and use the water to wash your hair. Doing this regularly goes a long way in controlling male pattern baldness.
Cosmetic remedies for male baldness include pills and topically applied creams that either block DHT or stimulate hair follicles, thereby promoting hair growth. A well-known pill for the treatment of male pattern baldness is Propecia, which works by inhibiting DHT internally. Minoxidil is another antibaldness drug present in topical creams that can be applied directly to the scalp. Though this cream is effective, it also causes some side effects, including irritation to the treated area and a burning sensation in the eyes.
There are several options for treating male pattern baldness, including
synthetic drugs that give faster results and natural remedies that are slower acting, but safer in the long run. Ultimately, you need to choose the option that works best for you.
