Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the result of various causes, of which genetic factors and androgens are the main ones. After puberty, with the increase of age and more mature sexual development, some men gradually develop male pattern hair loss. At the beginning of the disease, the scalp becomes more oily, or accompanied by increased dandruff, itching and other symptoms. Gradually, the hair on the top of the head is loose and rootless, easy to fall off when combing and washing, while the new hair becomes more and more thin and soft, slow growth, thinning hair on the top of the head, until it is lost, and becomes “shedding”. Some people start to lose hair from the two sideburns, the front hairline, the hairline more and more backward, commonly known as “high forehead”. Finally, only the sides of the head and the occipital area still have some hair.
The main causes of male pattern baldness
Genetic factors and a specific androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the main factors that cause male pattern baldness.
Research has found that men with a genetic predisposition have high levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT for short) in the scalp at the top and front of the head where hair loss occurs, and this DHT can cause hair follicles to shrink and shorten the hair growth cycle, resulting in fine, thinning and falling hair. So how is DHT synthesized? It was found that a protease called 5Ё-reductase in the body converts testosterone (another androgen) into DHT, and men with congenital 5 alpha-reductase deficiency do not suffer from hair loss, which further confirms the key role of this enzyme in future hair loss treatment.
In addition, it may also be related to endocrine factors, mental stress, excessive brain use, late nights and insomnia, and poor diet.
Treatment of male pattern baldness
The current treatment for male pattern baldness is mainly internal and external: internal use of Bofarzil (finasteride tablets) and external use of Mandy (minoxidil tincture); in addition, attention should be paid to scalp massage.
In a 5-year clinical trial in the United States, the effectiveness rate was 90%, which includes stopping hair loss and growing new hair, etc. Most of them can still grow new, mature hair. The best results recommended for Bofarzil are judged at 1 year of continuous use. After 1 year of ineffectiveness, it is recommended to stop the drug. The most common and most talked about side effect of Bofarzil is the problem of sexual dysfunction. Sexual function is very much related to psychological effects. A five-year clinical trial showed that only in the first year, the odds of sexual dysfunction were higher in those taking Bofarzil (697) (1.9%) than in those taking placebo (692, 1.3%). The comparison became 0.3%:0% at the fifth year. It can be said that this data is not statistically significant.
Comparison of Bofarzil with Mandy. The pharmacology of Bofadex is to treat male (seborrheic) alopecia by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone to reduce the level of dihydrotestosterone in the blood vessels of the scalp follicles. In contrast, Mandy is used to treat hair loss by dilating the blood vessels in the hair follicles to increase the local blood flow and reduce the content of dihydrotestosterone to a certain extent. It can be seen that in a short period of time, the effect of Mandy is much faster than that of Bofarzil, but after 3 months, the effect of Bofarzil is much better than that of Mandy.
About Bovril break tablets. In fact, side effects are not a big problem, because finasteride is well tolerated and generally no adverse effects will occur. The problem with breaking tablets is that they are not evenly broken, which can lead to a reduction in the effectiveness of the treatment. The reason why Bofarzil is made into 1mg/tablet is precisely because it can only achieve the best therapeutic effect at 1mg per day. Of course, it is also the dose with the least side effects.
Some studies have shown that some patients with seborrheic alopecia have microcirculatory disorders, mainly manifested as slow blood flow. After treatment with blood-activating drugs, microcirculation improves to varying degrees with hair growth. Self-scalp massage can also improve local blood circulation, which is good for slowing hair loss, promoting hair growth, and relaxing the mind. The method of self-scalp massage is very simple, using the end of the fingers of the ten fingers of both hands to press and lightly rub the scalp, starting from the front hairline, to the top of the head, and then to the back of the occipital area massage, cycle several times. After the massage, you will feel a slight warming of the scalp, very relaxed. You can do it anytime when you are tired of working and resting, or when watching TV at night.
With the current medical level, the treatment can improve the symptoms of excessive oil and dandruff and control hair loss. In the early stages of male pattern baldness, some hair follicles just start to shrink, but once they reach the middle and late stages, many hair follicles have simply shrunk to nothing, so if treatment is given only then, it may be too late.
Therefore, young people with a family history of hair loss should consult a specialist dermatologist as soon as they notice any abnormal hair loss and pay attention to early treatment. That is, when the scalp is just starting to appear oily, dandruff, itchy scalp, hair just starting to thin, timely consultation and treatment at the hospital dermatology department, if already bald, or hair thinning, thin and short, it is impossible to restore the original appearance, because at this time the hair follicles have been atrophied. If the medicine is used early, it is possible that the aforementioned symptoms will be relieved, the hair growth period will no longer be shortened, the hair follicles will no longer shrink, and the hair will not continue to become thin and fall out. This achieves the purpose of treatment.
In addition, many people think that hair loss is kidney deficiency, and many hair growth supplements are advertised to have the effect of kidney tonics. However, most of the drugs for kidney supplementation are warm and hot in nature, and young and middle-aged male alopecia patients are already hot and damp in blood, so taking drugs for kidney supplementation and hair growth will not cure hair loss, but will aggravate the condition.
Daily life precautions for male pattern baldness
First, a reasonable diet
Men at risk of hair loss should stay away from overly greasy, sweet and spicy foods, increase the proportion of cereals, vegetables and fruits in their diet, eat more iron and calcium rich foods such as black beans, black sesame, eggs, etc., and increase foods that are nourishing to the hair, such as milk, lean meat, poultry and fish. Foreign fast food fried food, do not often eat.
Two, moderate shampooing
Shampoo too diligent or too little is not good, more appropriate time is two to three times a week, shampoo water temperature to about 40 degrees is appropriate; shampoo gently massage the scalp, not only to clean the scalp, but also to promote blood circulation in the scalp; shampoo to use non-irritating. After shampooing, it is best to let the hair dry naturally, if you use a hair dryer, pay attention to the temperature of the wind can not be too high, the wind is too hot will damage the hair tissue, damage the scalp. Frequent combing can remove dandruff, increase the luster of the hair, but also massage the scalp, promote blood circulation, enhance the blood supply and nutrition of the hair root.
Three, avoid exposure to the sun
The ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage the hair, making the hair dry and yellow, so avoid sun exposure in the summer, swimming and sunbathing outdoors to pay attention to protection.
Fourth, relax your mind
Male hair loss younger and excessive stress, sleep is not enough inseparable. Stress, long-term tension, anxiety, fatigue, resulting in poor sleep quality, will aggravate hair loss. Relax your mind and improve the quality of sleep can help improve hair loss. Parents of families with genetic factors for male hair loss should learn to help their children relieve stress.
Five, reduce hair dyeing and perming
Frequent hair coloring and perming can cause hair to lose its luster and elasticity, and even turn yellow and dry. Dyeing and perming interval time should be at least 3-6 months.
Six, do not wear a cap for a long time
Wearing a hat or helmet for a long time is easy to smother the hair, especially at the hairline by the hat or helmet pressure, easy pore relaxation, causing hair loss, so wear a hat and helmet time should not be too long.
Seven, away from tobacco
Smoking has been recognized as one of the risk factors for hair loss. Families with high risk of male hair loss should pay attention to keep their children away from tobacco as much as possible.
Don’t spend a long time on the Internet
Excessive internet gaming is also one of the factors that cause hair loss in men to become younger. The longer the average time spent using a computer each day, the more likely men are to lose their hair. This is related to excessive nerve tension. The long time to play games online, the central nervous system is always in a state of tension, will cause disorders of the plant nerves, skin vasoconstriction dysfunction, local vasoconstriction of the scalp, reduced blood supply, will cause malnutrition of hair follicles and lead to hair loss.
Nine, avoid without swimming cap in the public pool for a long time swimming
Public pools will use a lot of bleach for sterilization, but bleach for the skin has a stimulating effect, prolonged contact will make the scalp hair dry, so that seborrheic alopecia patients hair more easily fall off. Therefore, swimming in public pools to wear silicone swimming cap, and should not be too long, damage to the hair.
Ten, avoid prolonged use of computers
The radiation of electronic products is also one of the causes of hair loss, modern people generally use computers for a long time, the computer monitor, keyboard, mouse have different degrees of radiation, will lead to weakening of human resistance, further affecting the skin and hair, serious will lead to hair loss. Therefore, you should drink more tea every day to resist the adverse effects of electronic radiation to people, but also make the skin and hair is not easy to age, to prevent hair loss.