This is visually the most variable complaint. It begins as a diffuse thinning of the hair and can manifest into baldness, sparing the lower sides and back of the head. The hair can fall rapidly, showing signs of thinning over a short period of time, or it can thin gradually, almost unnoticeably, over a prolonged period, until a thinner area is noticed.
Put as simply as possible, hair grows from an indentation in the scalp called a follicle. Those who are genetically predisposed to being affected by MPHL will be more receptive to the male androgen hormone. This sensitivity to Androgens causes a process of follicular miniaturisation which eventually leads on to the various patterns of hair loss in this type of condition.
A consultation with a fully qualified trichologist, registered with the Institute of Trichologists, would allow a better understanding of this rather complicated condition.
Androgenetic Alopecia, is not, as yet, a curable complaint. It is the process whereby both circulating and locally produced androgen hormones bind to, and activate, hair follicle androgen receptors.
This will induce a loss of scalp terminal hairs through a process of hair follicle miniaturisation.
Due to the inherent sensitivity of a hair follicle to androgens, the age of onset, rate of progression, overall severity and pattern of hair loss is genetically predetermined.
Stimulative treatments (allowing a more excessive blood supply by vaso-dilation) can help to contain, control and minimise the progression of male pattern hair loss. The speed, or rate of hair loss can be greatly reduced and regrowth can easily occur. Therefore, the sooner a condition is addressed, the greater the improvement.
Trichology treats the condition, not the cause, and it is important to have the cause carefully explained to you with logic, common sense and no nonsense.
If one prefers the possibility of hair transplantation, The Spencer Clinic has developed a close and trusting relationship with top hair transplant surgeons in London. We are able to offer an indepth and confidential consultation, with advice and recommendations to those persuing this type of procedure.
More recently, the methods involved in hair transplantation have vastly improved. The introduction of the Singular Hair Implantation technique or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) has created the opportunity to achieve extensive and undetectable results.