A receding hairline is often the first visual sign of male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is thought to be a genetic condition that affects four of every seven men. More likely than not, a healthy male will experience some degree of hair thinning in his lifetime.
While a complete solution does not exist yet, there are hair treatments that can help slow down the recession at the temples and may even regrow hair.
Causes
Hair loss (or thinning) is caused by certain hair follicles being genetically susceptible to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). For reasons not quite understood, DHT attacks the hair follicle and deprives it of oxygen and nutrients, causing it to shed. The follicle is slowly "choked," and the hair thins. The individual follicle is eventually closed and unable to grow hair.
The hairline is the area most prone to DHT and is usually the first area to thin on persons with male pattern baldness.
Effective Treatments
While there are no current FDA-approved treatments specifically for a receding hairline, many treatments exist and can be effective in slowing the hair loss and regrowing hair. It is much easier to preserve existing hair than to attempt to regrow hair from follicles that have closed.
The most popular treatments are minoxidil and Propecia, topical spironolactone and ketoconazole (in shampoo).
Minoxidil (brand name: Rogaine) and Finasteride (brand name: Propecia) are FDA-approved treatments for male pattern baldness affecting the crown or top of head.
Topical spironolactone, like minoxidil, is applied to thinning areas. "Spiro," however, functions more like Propecia, as it acts as an anti-androgen, inhibiting DHT.
The compound ketoconazole (1 percent or 2 percent) in shampoo may provide treatment for a receding hairline by inhibiting DHT in thinning areas, reducing sebrum, which prevents the hair from maturing, and reducing scalp inflammation. In a 1994 study performed at the University of Liege in Belgium, the hair growth results of ketoconazole were similar to those of 2 percent minoxidil.
Ineffective Treatments
While there are only a handful of effective treatments for male pattern baldness or a receding hairline, there are countless ineffective treatments.
These ineffective treatments can come in the form of shampoos, vitamins, herbs, minerals, laser combs and scalp exercises.
While these ineffective treatments may regrow hair or prevent loss in some cases or in women, they will likely be ineffective in treating male pattern baldness. Researchers believe that male pattern baldness is solely a genetic hormonal condition rather than the result of any sort of dietary deficiency, skin condition or greater health concern.
Shampoos, laser combs, vitamins, minerals and special diets may deliver a "healthier" head of hair, but they will be ineffective in stopping male pattern baldness due to the nature of the condition.
Permanent Solution
A hair transplant offers a permanent solution and is currently the only way to fully restore and prevent future loss to a receding hairline. While all the above treatments are generally focused on the prevention of further loss, a hair transplant offers a full regrowth treatment option. Hairs not prone to DHT/thinning are transplanted from the "donor area" to the areas of hair loss. After three months they begin to grow, and the full result is noticed after a year. These hairs will regrow if they shed, as the follicle is not prone to DHT.
While a hair transplant can permanently replace hairs lost to miniaturization, it will not prevent further loss of hair susceptible to DHT. Doctors will often recommend the patient use Propecia and minoxidil for life in conjunction with a hair transplant procedure. Do your research to find a skilled and reputable doctor.
The forum at www.hairtransplantnetwork.com is a great resource to learn about the procedure and select a doctor.
Expert Insight
Please consult your physician before starting any sort of hair loss prevention regimen. It is important to be certain that the hair loss can be attributed to male pattern baldness and not a different condition.
Most hair loss professionals usually recommend beginning with minoxidil and Propecia for eight months to a year for those with male pattern baldness. This may prevent further loss and possibly lead to regrowth. Both of these treatments are lifetime commitments. After that period, a transplant can be considered.
Although minoxidil and Propecia are not approved specifically for the hairline, Doctor Robert Bernstein, one of the country's most highly regarded hair restoration physicians, believes that they "definitely can work in the front of the scalp as long as there is some hair in the area." Bernstein suggests to ignore the notion that minoxidil and Propecia are effective on the crown only, because these were the only areas tested in the clinical trials.
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