A nightmare for many men, androgenetic alopecia , or more commonly called “ baldness ,” is the most common progressive hair loss phenomenon in men, but also exists in women.
In fact, baldness affects about 20% of men aged 20 and gradually increases to 40% at age 40 , and so on. In women, it is rarer with 1 in 5 women affected around the age of 40 .
Unlike female pattern baldness, where hair loss is diffuse and progressive , male pattern baldness targets specific areas of the head : the frontal area, the gulfs and the vertex. In these areas, the hair becomes thinner and turns into downy hair before disappearing.
What causes androgenetic alopecia?
Hormonal cause
Hair follicles can be sensitive to androgen hormones , particularly DHT, a derivative of testosterone produced by our 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. This hormone then influences the hair's life cycle : the anagen phase (hair growth phase) is slowed down while the telogen phase (phase where new hair pushes out the old one) is lengthened. Ultimately, hair grows shorter , finer and takes longer to renew itself , which causes progressive thinning .
Genetic cause
If your father is gradually losing his hair, but your grandparents escaped it, you should know that all is not lost! Indeed, genetic predisposition is one of the main causes of androgenetic alopecia , but contrary to what one might think, this gene, present on our X chromosome , is transmitted to men by their mother. It is therefore more likely to suffer from baldness when your maternal grandfather is affected by androgenetic alopecia.
Medical cause
Although androgenetic alopecia primarily affects men, women can also be affected. Among the many factors that can contribute to alopecia is the birth control pill. Contraceptives can have a negative effect on androgenetic alopecia: these contraceptives release androgen hormones , particularly DHT, into the body, leading to involuntary hair loss .
What treatment is available to slow down androgenetic alopecia?
Finding the right treatment for your hair loss can be difficult. To slow the progression of androgenetic alopecia, several treatments are available—it's up to you to choose the one that's right for you!
We tell you everything you need to know to make the right choice
Oral treatments
There are many oral treatments available today to treat androgenetic alopecia, such as finasteride, minoxidil , and flutamide, but at what cost?
Although simple and easy to use, these drug treatments can be accompanied by harmful side effects such as the appearance of skin problems, fertility problems, or even heart, liver, and kidney problems. It is therefore important to study all treatment options to find the product best suited to you and avoid complex side effects that can harm your health.
Light therapy
Laser therapy is a long-term solution to hair loss. It helps stimulate hair growth and density while helping to limit hair loss . Increasingly recommended for androgenetic alopecia, light therapy is emerging as a gentler solution compared to generic drug treatments or surgical procedures.
Food supplements
Although phytomedicine has already demonstrated its effects on hair growth and beauty , it does not stop there. More and more research is looking into a possible therapy against hair loss in men , some of which uses plants whose benefits are no longer in doubt. Our team has carefully selected them to create a natural and complete synergy against hair loss .
Anti-hair loss treatment for men
In capsule form, this food supplement acts at the hormonal level to slow down your hair loss. Flax extract , zinc and iron will play a role in inhibiting the enzyme responsible for hair loss , 5-alpha-reductase. At the same time, Venus hair extract will regulate the production of testosterone. Finally, cystine and the synergy of vitamins B5, B6, B12 and A will help hair growth and strengthen hair bulbs for a triple action that is incredibly effective on hair loss, growth and density.
To learn more about the different treatments and their specificities, contact a specialist doctor who will help you and provide all the additional information you need.
