Hair Loss & Pattern Baldness

There are a number of hair loss conditions that affect both men and women. However, the most common is androgenetic alopecia, the hereditary condition more commonly known as male pattern baldness (MPB) in men, and female pattern baldness (FPB) in women. Unlike some other types of hair loss that are triggered by external factors such as illness or stress, thinning caused by androgenetic alopecia is permanent.

Androgenetic alopecia is a chronic (and complex) condition determined by family genetics. It’s possible that if the “baldness gene” exists in your family on either side of the family tree, then you may be at risk, too. The condition is understood to be caused by the body’s production of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a by-product of testosterone which attaches itself to the hair follicles in the top of the scalp, causing the follicles to shrink over time. This in turn thins the hair as it revolves through each of its growth cycles, eventually creating the illusion of baldness.

Statistics suggest claim that as many as 40 – 50% of men will experience hair loss of some degree by the time they reach their 40s, but it can manifest itself from as early as your late teens. The condition is slightly less common in women, but still prevalent. In many cases with women, it is caused by hormonal changes in the body, such as those experienced during the menopause or childbirth. But genetics may also play a part.

Note that we now offer the DNA TrichoTest™, which is DNA testing specifically for hair loss concerns. The DNA TrichoTest™ analyses your genes in relation to your hair loss and vulnerability to hair loss. From the data produced, we can accurately identify which treatments will work best for you and help you create a personalised treatment plan accordingly.

In men, MPB is usually characterised by a recession at the temples (receding hairline) and a gradual thinning at the crown (top of the head). It can also cause an overall thinning, which is known as diffuse thinning. In it most aggressive cases, MPB will eventually leave those afflicted with that classic “horseshoe” pattern. The earlier you suffer from MPB, the more likely it may be that the condition will be aggressive, but everyone is different and it is difficult to predict.

The classic patterns for male baldness is illustrated through the Norwood Scale diagram, pictured right.

The pattern for FPB in women (pictured, below right) usually involves a more overall thinning at the top of the scalp and is noticeable by a widening parting. In almost all cases of androgenetic alopecia, the hair at the back and sides is resistant to DHT, though, and remains strangely unaffected. One of the great mysteries of hair loss.

At present, there are two medications clinically approved for the treatment of hair loss in the UK. These are finasteride (also known by the brand name Propecia), which is traditionally used to treat benign enlarged prostates, but which inhibits the production of DHT. The other medication is minoxidil, a topical solution that increases blood flow to the scalp and stimulates hair follicles. A third drug, dutasteride, also prohibits DHT and is essentially a more powerful version of finasteride. However, it is not currently approved for the treatment of hair loss in the UK (as of Jan 2020). This is perhaps due to the increased risk of side-effects.

While some people have slowed the onset of MPB using these medications, everyone responds differently. A downside is that these drugs need to be taken religiously in order to maintain results, and there is a belief that they can lose their efficacy over time. Side-effects are also occasionally reported.

A more permanent solution are hair transplants. Surgical hair restoration is a fast-growing, lucrative industry and procedures have improved remarkably since the turn of the millennium. While excellent results can be achieved, they are a lifelong commitment given that they don’t account for any future loss of hair. Plus, you need to manage expectations – you are limited by the donor hair supply at the back of your head, and even the best doctors can’t recapture the full thickness of what you may once have enjoyed. Surgeries can also be expensive and involve significant downtime.

Fortunately, there are other, newer options for helping you to combat hair loss, which don’t include surgery or risk as many side-effects. One of the most ground-breaking and effective treatments is our VieStem Hair with Regenera Activia, which has been widely lauded in the national media as a breakthrough that can not only halt hair loss, but reverse it, too. This uses your own tissue, or stem cells, to reactivate dying hair follicles in order to trigger new growth. At Vie Aesthetics, we were one of the first clinics in the UK to offer procedures with Regenera Activa and we have now had many, many patients from all over the world who have been delighted with the results.

We also combine our treatments with other procedures such as carboxytherapy and PRP, for optimal results and maintenance.

As with all hair loss regimens, a multi-faceted approach can sometimes be advised. The more layers of defence you can add, the better. Crucially, you will also need to determine what type of hair loss you suffer with, whether it’s hereditary or whether it’s caused by other factors and may be temporary. Sometimes a blood test may be advisable to see if there are other root causes for the loss of hair. This will be discussed with you during your consultation. But rest assured, hair loss is no longer something we all have to sit back and accept.