Hair falling out near the frontal hair line is generally the earliest sign of hair loss that males observe. It is sometimes, but not always, the beginning of progressive male pattern baldness. Frontal-Hair-Loss.com notes that almost all men will have some amount permanent hair shed on the frontal hair line regardless of whether they are genetically prone to male pattern baldness. This is brought on by the male hormone DHT, or dihyrdotestosterone, inhibiting hairs and progressively shrinking the hair follicles. Although there is no foolproof solution for a receding hair line, there are treatments that will help.
Step 1
Meet your with your doctor. This is critical, because you need to establish that your hair loss at the temples is from hereditary male pattern baldness and not from a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Different causes of hair loss will be treated in different ways. A receding hair line is typical of male pattern baldness.
Step 2
Talk with with your healthcare professional about finasteride. Finasteride is an FDA-approved pill that is ingested once per day for male pattern baldness. The American Hair Loss Association explains that finasteride can lessen DHT blood levels by 60 percent. If you lessen your DHT levels, hair follicles will have an environment to grow to their full maturity and regain their density. It is available only with a health care professional's prescription.
Dr. Robert Bernstein, senior member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and renowned hair restoration surgeon, believes that finasteride is likely to be effective on the hair line and not just the top of the scalp. He recommends on BernsteinMedical.com that although finasteride was clinically tested to stimulate growth of hair follicles on the the vertex of the head, finasteride, known by the brand name Propecia, "definitely can" stimulate growth of hair follicles on the frontal hair line as long as there is some hair still there. Bernstein suggests using finasteride for a year before considering a hair restoration surgery.
Step 3
Get minoxidil from your food store or local drug store. The FDA approves the use of 5 percent minoxidil for men to treat androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. The directed use of minoxidil is one or two applications of 1 ml of topical solution two times per day. Apply your minoxidil to dry hair and do not shower for four hours.
Dr. Bernstein again notes that topical minoxidil, like oral finasteride, may be effective on the temples and not just the top of the scalp. He suggests applying it to thinning areas on the hair line.
Step 4
Obtain ketoconazole shampoo from your food store or local pharmacy. Apply ketoconazole shampoo once a day for two weeks and then every third day after that. Allow the shampoo to remain on your head for three to five minutes before rinsing.
In a Belgian study known as "Ketoconazole: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia," published in the "Journal of Dermatology," Belgian researchers established that ketoconazole shampoo improved hair density similarly to 2 percent minoxidil. The researchers concluded that ketoconazole shampoo could be helpful in the continuous treatment of of androgenic alopecia.
Tips and Warnings
- Minoxidil topicals can be oily and can take a while to dry.Consider using a more expensive minoxidil formula or the foam version, which dries much quicker. Ideally, apply minoxidil every morning after you take a shower and every night before going to sleep.
- Women should not touch or handle finasteride tabs, as their hormone levels can be adversely affected. You must use minoxidil and finasteride indefinitely. If you discontinue either treatment, your normal rate of hair loss will continue. Ketoconazole shampoo can dry out the scalp; use a conditioner to remedy this.
Things You'll Need
- Minoxidil
- Finasteride
- Ketoconazole
References
- Frontal-Hair-Loss: Receding Hairline Causes and Treatment
- American Hair Loss Association: "Men's Hair Loss/Treatment"
- Bernsteinmedical: Can Propecia or Rogaine Improve Receding Hairline Or Front Of Scalp?
- HairSite: Rogaine
- PubMed; Dermatology; Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia; 1998
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