Despite the common saying, ‘It’s what’s inside that counts,’ our outlook on life can be greatly impacted by our appearance. Our hair makes up a big part of that appearance. Men and women alike spend a considerable amount of money on products to make their hair shinier, thicker, and stronger. They also spend a lot of time styling their hair to get it just the way they like it.

That’s why hair loss can negatively affect how people feel about themselves. If you are starting to notice more hairs than usual going down the shower drain and are worried about male pattern baldness, Pharmacy Planet can help.

Male Pattern Baldness

Men’s hair will become thinner as they age and this is a perfectually natural part of ageing. In fact, around half of all men will experience loss of hair after the age of 50. However, some men experience a more pronounced loss of hair that can leave large bald patches. This change in appearance is often distressing and impacts a man’s sense of self-worth.

The most common type of hair loss in men is androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. Androgenic alopecia is the result of a shift in hormone levels that happens as a man becomes older.  This type of hair loss is more gradual so if you are suddenly losing a lot of hair, speak to your GP as this may be a sign of an underlying health condition.

How Does Androgenic Alopecia Cause Hair Loss?

Hair growth starts under your skin in hair follicles. Not all hair follicles are on the same cycle of hair growth, so you will constantly grow new hair whilst older hairs fall out. Normally, you have enough hair growing to counter any hair that has finished its growth cycle.

Male pattern baldness slows down the hair regrowth process, leaving you without enough new hairs to replace the ones you’ve lost. It can also cause your hair to come in thinner and weaker. As a result, your hair begins to noticeably thin out. As male pattern baldness progresses, your scalp may stop producing any hair at all.

As we mentioned before, male pattern baldness is the result of changes in hormones. Specifically, it’s your sex hormones that impact the way your hair grows, especially hidydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen that contributes to more masculine characteristics associated with men. High levels of DHT can make your hair follicles slow down and shrink, creating male pattern baldness.

Not all men will experience significant hair loss because of their increased production of DHT. Those who do usually have genetics to blame. A man who has a family history of male pattern baldness is also more likely to develop it. It’s also most common amongst white men than men of other ethnic backgrounds.

How To Treat and Prevent Male Pattern Hair Loss

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about genetics, but there are ways to try to slow them down. If you are worried you will experience male pattern baldness or you’ve started to show symptoms, you should start treatment as soon as possible. The earlier you tackle the problem, the better your results will be.

Some herbal and at-home remedies include:

• Stress reduction: Stress can wreak havoc on your hormones so try to reduce stress wherever possible.
• Pygeum bark: An herb taken from the bark of the African Cherry tree that has been shown promise in reducing DHT levels
• Pumpkin seed oil: This is another herbal remedy that has DHT-blocking properties with studies to back it up.
• Vitamin B: Vitamin B is a vital nutrient your body needs to function properly, especially vitamin B-12 and B-6. By taking supplements your hair is more likely to be thicker, and healthier.

In addition to herbal and at-home treatments, there are proven medications you can take to slow down the progression of male pattern baldness. The most popular and arguably the most effective of these medications is called Finasteride.

What is Finasteride and How does it Work?

Finasteride is the name of a generic medication that is sometimes sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia. It is most often prescribed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), but is also effective treatment for male pattern hair loss.

It’s classified as a type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, and its main function is to decrease the amount of DHT your body produces. The less DHT you’re producing, the less likely your hair follicles will be affected by male pattern baldness.  

If taken regularly and correctly, finasteride should start showing noticeable effects within 3-6 months. Studies have shown that if it is taken continuously over a period of 5 years, it is effective in preventing hair loss in 9 out of 10 men. Some men even report that they had some hair grow back!

It is only beneficial for men with male pattern baldness and not baldness caused by other conditions. Finasteride is best for men with mild to moderate hair loss so if your hair loss is more severe, finasteride may not be as effective. It should not be taken by women or children.

Does Finasteride Cause Side Effects?

You may experience some side effects when taking finasteride, especially when you first start your treatment. If your symptoms are mild, they should go away within a couple of weeks as your body adapts. If they persist or become worse, speak to your GP or pharmacist.

Finasteride Side Effects:

• Rash
• Ejaculation disorder
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of libido

Can I Buy Finasteride Online?

Finasteride is a prescription only medication that you can get from a pharmacist, including those at Pharmacy Planet. Pharmacy Planet is a leading online pharmacy and is the best place to buy Finasteride online in the UK.

If you have been losing your hair and want to keep your luscious locks and maybe even grow some back, we can help. Visit our website today to buy Finasteride 1mg tablets online with speedy delivery.