There are many myths circulating about male pattern baldness. At Simone Thomas hair loss clinic in Bournemouth we meet many men suffering from male hair loss conditions that have tried countless potions, medications and expensive products with no result. There are hundreds of products on the internet which claim to either stop men from losing any more hair or to help them re-grow their hair. In this hair loss blog, we will attempt to outline and debunk the 7 most common male pattern baldness myths, including male pattern baldness symptoms and solutions:
Baldness Myth 1: Baldness is in your genes
This is probably one of the most popular male pattern baldness myths out there, but there is some truth to it. There is a gene (called the androgen receptor) that is passed on through the X chromosome which you receive from your mother. However, it is crucial to recognise that this is not the only factor to consider with regards to inheriting baldness through your family.
Baldness Myth 2: Wearing hats, applying hair products or hair dye with chemicals causes baldness
We understand why people may think this causes hair loss in men, however there is no scientific evidence that these things will cause male pattern baldness. If you are using hair dye with bleach, it is more likely to weaken hair and cause breakage than to cause male pattern baldness. Hats may rub on certain parts of the head causing hair to become weak and break off but has also never caused hair loss in men. If you are already suffering from male pattern baldness and putting lots of products on your scalp to cover up, you may be clogging up your scalp and stopping new hair from growing.
It would be advisable to visit a hair loss clinic such as Simone Thomas and seek advice from a hair loss specialist.
Baldness Myth 3: Your hair will grow back fuller and thicker if you shave it off
There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in this myth. If you have regular haircuts this will remove split ends which is more likely to cause the hair to break. Hair is always thinner towards the ends so cutting these thinner wispy hairs will automatically leave you with thicker hair. The hair is at its thickest nearest the root.
Baldness Myth 4: Massaging your scalp can stimulate hair growth
There is in some extent an element of truth to this myth because massaging the scalp stimulates the blood flow to your hair follicles. However, it will only work to help strengthen existing hairs – it is not a solution to male pattern baldness. Genetic hair loss is largely permanent, as is any type of hair loss triggered by scarring on the scalp, therefore massaging your scalp will have no effect.
Baldness Myth 5: Only older men will go bald
Whilst you are more likely to go start going bald the older you get; male pattern baldness can start as early as your teenage years. At our hair loss clinic in Bournemouth, Harley Street and Reading we are meeting more and more young men in their late teens and early twenties with what they think are male pattern baldness symptoms. After having a hair loss consultation with one of our hair loss specialists it has been identified that some of these cases have been male pattern baldness, whilst others have been hair loss through alopecia.
Baldness Myth 6: Stress will make your hair fall out
Stress can cause your hair to fall out, but it’s probably not the type of everyday stress we all go through. The type of stress that causes hair loss in men could be mentally related (i.e. the inability to cope with normal everyday stressful situations) or medically related such as undergoing chemotherapy or taking certain medications. These are in no way linked to symptoms of male pattern baldness as they normally lead to temporary hair loss or alopecia. Once the source of the stress is identified and dealt with, the hair will normally return. If you find yourself suffering from male hair loss which you are struggling to pinpoint it is always advisable to seek advice from a hair loss specialist.
Baldness Myth 7: There is no cure for baldness
You will see advertisements all over the internet and magazines for these ‘miracle’ lotions and potions that you can apply to your scalp which will make your hair grow back. Please do not waste your money!
There are various male pattern baldness treatments available that do work, and we recommend a consultation with a hair loss specialist who can advise you of the best course of treatment.
Some shop bought hair loss treatments are known to help, such as Rogaine, Propecia and its generic form Finasteride, which can prevent hair loss and promote re-growth for men with symptoms of male pattern baldness with mild to moderate hair loss. They work by blocking the action of a hormone that affects hair growth in men. However, it is best to seek professional advice from a hair loss specialist. Many men can shy away from taking finasteride due to the possibility of sexual side effects such as a loss of libido. Studies have shown that those side effects may persist after discontinuation of the medicine, so it really does need proper research and thought before embarking on this route.
Before choosing Rogaine or thinking about an expensive hair transplant you must ensure that you have a correct diagnosis of the type of hair loss. You may just need to address a poor diet which is lacking in essential vitamins and nutrients. If you are considering a hair transplant, it really is advisable to do your research as it can be very expensive and sometimes unsuccessful.
If you do not have deep pockets there are other options available which a specialist at our hair loss clinic in Bournemouth would be able to discuss with you. These options include custom designed human hair toupees which can be colour matched to your existing hair and styled. Technology in hair loss treatments has advanced greatly, and toupees are mostly unnoticeable! Another option includes scalp tattooing, which is something that your hair loss specialist can discuss and help decide if this is the best treatment for you.
Book a hair loss consultation with a specialist at Simone Thomas today. During your hair loss consultation, we may request some blood work to test for nutrient deficiencies and carry out a thorough scalp examination with a nioscope. This will help us analyse your hair follicles and the shape of the hair loss. We will also look at your medical background and lifestyle. These factors can then help us to determine the hair loss condition and advise the best hair loss treatment for you, to help you get that full head of hair you’ve always dreamed of. Get in touch today!
