What treatments are available for male hair loss?
Hair loss in men is a condition known as androgenetic alopecia, or more commonly, “baldness.”
This hair loss is specific to men because it is caused by an excess of androgenic hormones (male hormones), such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Male pattern baldness is very common among men aged 50: it affects 50% of men at this age and 70% of men over 70. However, it can also affect much younger men, as early as 18-20 years old.
Even though this hair loss may appear permanent, it can be managed with various treatments.
What is androgenetic alopecia?
Androgenetic alopecia causes thinner and often less pigmented hair to appear on the top of the scalp. This baldness may affect the top of the scalp evenly, or begin by affecting the forehead (the frontal recesses), the crown (the vertex) or the temples. Over time, the hair gradually gives way to fine down, which then disappears as well.
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But what causes this accelerated hair loss?
To understand this phenomenon of baldness, you first need to understand how the hair cycle works. This cycle consists of 3 phases:
- The anagen phase, when the hair grows. It lasts from 2 to 6 years
- The catagen phase, when growth of the hair follicle stops. It lasts from 2 to 3 weeks
- The telogen phase, when the hair falls out. It lasts 2 to 3 weeks.
This hair cycle lasts an average of 5 years and is renewed only 20 to 25 times over a lifetime. Baldness occurs when this cycle becomes disrupted. Male hair loss is in fact caused by a shortening of the anagen phase, which accelerates the hair cycle. As a result, these 25 cycles occur more quickly and the hair’s growth potential is exhausted sooner.
What causes androgenetic alopecia?
The main cause of androgenetic alopecia is a disruption in the production of androgenic hormones, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is produced when the enzyme 5α-reductase converts testosterone. When this enzyme becomes overactive, it produces excess DHT which, by acting on receptors in the hair follicles, speeds up the anagen phase and shortens the cycle.
This overproduction of DHT has a genetic origin. This is why several people suffering from baldness may be found within the same family.
Other non-hereditary causes may contribute to this hormonal issue, such as stress, certain conditions and treatments, as well as deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins, iron and zinc.
How can you address baldness?
Hair loss can be slowed or even stopped if treated early, before the hair’s growth potential is exhausted. Moreover, the main treatments are effective only for early-stage or mild baldness.
Drug treatments are available, such as oral Finasteride, which requires a prescription and works by reducing the activity of the 5α-reductase enzyme and therefore DHT production. There is also Minoxidil lotion, available without a prescription, which stimulates and prolongs the anagen phase while shortening the telogen phase through its vasodilating properties (it dilates the hair capillaries).
Androgenetic alopecia can also be addressed with dietary supplements containing vitamins and minerals. Certain nutrients can promote hair growth, such as cystine and vitamin B6.
Vitamin B8 (or biotin) promotes hair follicle growth and also helps slow hair loss through its regulating effect on sebum production, which tends to “suffocate” the hair.
It is also possible to support keratin production, a major component of the hair follicle, with vitamin B5 and vitamin B6, helping to increase hair density.
Other nutrients, such as iron and zinc, help protect the hair follicle against external damage through their antioxidant properties.
This is why the Men’s Hair Loss Complex is a complete dietary supplement specifically designed for male hair loss. It contains two plant extracts that act on the hair cycle: flax extract, which acts on androgenic hormone production, and maidenhair extract, which also has antioxidant properties thanks to the flavonoids it contains.
It also contains a blend of vitamins, including B5, B6 and B8, minerals such as iron and zinc, and amino acids such as cystine, which support hair growth as well as hair density and strength.
Finally, you can also care for your hair with lotions specifically designed for hair loss, particularly those containing Aminexil, a patented molecule that slows the stiffening of the collagen sheath surrounding the hair root, which contributes to hair loss. Naturally, it is also best to choose anti-hair-loss shampoos that are silicone-free, paraben-free and sulfate-free, as these ingredients tend to weaken the scalp.
You can also stimulate local microcirculation by massaging the scalp with your fingers or a brush, for example in the shower. This helps nutrients reach the hair more effectively and waste products be eliminated more efficiently. It also regulates sebum production, which tends to suffocate the hair roots.
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