Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is considered the most common form of hair loss in men. It affects a significant portion of the population and can present a number of aesthetic concerns. The condition is progressive, which means the hair is lost gradually, usually beginning at the front or top of the head and progressing to other areas. Many men find that hair loss makes them appear older than their actual age, leading to increased self-consciousness over time.
Hair restoration methods such as transplants can be excellent solutions to reverse the effects of male hair loss, restoring lost confidence. Our clinic offers proven and effective hair restoration procedures to produce noticeable results.
At Flawless Hair Restoration, we are committed to providing customised care and information to help you make a decision that is right for you. Book an obligation-free consultation at $150, which is fully redeemable if you proceed with treatment. At your consult, we will:
- Discuss your concerns and stage of hair loss
- Explain your surgical and non-surgical hair restoration options
- Provide expert-level advice and a personalised treatment plan
Causes of male hair loss
Male pattern baldness is usually a genetic trait passed down through family members, often increasing with age. Balding or thinning begins when the hair follicles become oversensitive to testosterone, the male hormone, which causes the follicles to shrink. This leads to thinned and stunted hair growth. Eventually, the growth cycle of the follicle ends and the hair does not regrow.
Inherited male hair loss is usually not associated with side effects. However, in some circumstances, it can be caused by other health concerns or issues, such as some cancers, medications, and anabolic steroids. If your hair loss symptoms are accompanied by other health problems, this should be discussed with a professional. Speaking with one of our experienced staff members can help you address any concerns about the causes or symptoms of your hair loss.
The Symptoms
Male pattern baldness is so named due to its pattern-like appearance. It usually begins with a receding of the hairline, often resulting in a large widow’s peak, which is the V-shaped curve that recedes back towards the top of the head. The term derives from the old English tradition of widowed women wearing triangular black hoods. A heightening of the widow’s peak is usually followed by a gradual thinning on the top or crown of the head. When these two balding areas join, it can produce a horseshoe shape, and sometimes, this progresses to complete baldness. Symptoms of male hair loss may include:
- Patchy or circular bald spots
- Thinning at the top of the head
- Receding hairline
- Increasingly prominent widow’s peak
- Full-body hair loss
Transplants for male hair loss
Hair transplants are most commonly undergone to treat the appearance of male pattern baldness, and they are associated with a high rate of patient satisfaction. If you are worried about the visibility of hair patchiness, balding, or thinning on certain areas of the scalp, you may like to consider a hair transplant.
Transplants work by extracting individual hair follicles from one area of the scalp and moving them to an area where there is less hair. Grafts are taken from the patient’s own scalp, which means the procedure is typically best suited to people who have more hair on the back or sides of the head and less hair elsewhere. The transplant will be able to make the distribution of hair follicles more even over the scalp and cover the balding area.
Every hair restoration method is tailored to suit the individual patient. This means a consultation with one of our experienced clinicians will be necessary in order to determine the best approach to rectifying your hair loss concerns. We will need to discuss your medical history, current medications, and other relevant factors before deciding on an appropriate path of treatment.
What to expect
After your consultation, you should have a clear idea of what your desired procedure entails, as well as the benefits and risks. Our transplanting procedures use proven and effective follicular unit extraction (FUE) devices to collect hairs from your scalp and implant the follicles into the balding area. The procedure will be performed under local anesthesia and will usually take several hours to complete.
Hairs are extracted using round micro-incisions, making tiny punctures in the skin and thereby allowing the hair follicles to be uprooted individually. This is considered a minimally invasive process; no large incisions are necessary and there is very little likelihood of scarring. Once all the requisite grafts have been taken from the scalp, the implantation process can begin. Individual grafts will be embedded into the balding area at a 90-degree angle to ensure a natural-looking result.
Patients can usually return to work the day afterwards.
Things to consider
Some redness or swelling is normal following a hair transplant for male hair loss. Whilst recovery from FUE procedures are generally very quick, it is nevertheless important to take the proper precautions to minimise complications and help the scalp heal. You may be given instructions for how to look after your scalp at home in order to encourage the follicles to take root in their new location.
Serious side effects are very uncommon. In rare cases, complications can include bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and the need for revision procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is male hair loss common?
Male hair loss is a common concern, affecting about half of males by the time they turn 50. Whilst it is more frequent in older people, hair loss and male balding can begin in adolescence.
Can male pattern baldness be prevented?
Whilst there is no concrete way to prevent hair loss caused by genetics, there are some ways to reduce the likelihood and severity of hair loss. This can include maintaining a healthy diet, increasing calcium intake, and avoiding chemical-heavy shampoos.
How long will the hair take to grow?
The growth rate of transplanted follicles will not change and, in most cases, the hair will continue growing normally. It is expected that newly implanted hairs will fall out about a month after your hair transplant procedure, but this should not cause alarm. The hair will then begin its new growth cycle, and you should start to see results in about four months.