Hair loss: Dr Ranj discusses causes of male pattern baldness
There are many factors that drive hair loss but one of the important discoveries is the role that decreased blood flow plays in male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is a common type of hair loss in men that usually runs in the family. The finding that male pattern baldness is the result of starved blood flow to hair follicles is significant because it suggests you can promote growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp.
In fact, this hypothesis is borne out by the application of peppermint essential oil.
When researchers used peppermint oil on mice, they noticed the hair grew faster and thicker, and blood flow to undernourished hair follicles increased.
The study hints at the possibility that peppermint essential oil may promote human hair growth in the same way.
However, other studies (one in 2011 and one in 2013) showed that menthol from peppermint essential oil promotes vasoconstriction rather than vasodilation.
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Vasoconstriction is narrowing or constriction of the blood vessels and vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels.
But evidence shows that this vasoconstriction only appears to happen when the skin or muscle area where oil is applied is inflamed, such as after exercise.
Rosemary essential oil has shown promise in reversing hair loss by improving both hair thickness and growth.
According to one study, rosemary oil performed as well as minoxidil, a common hair growth treatment, but with less scalp itching as a side effect.
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Minoxidil is the main drug treatment for male pattern baldness.
Conventional treatments
There are numerous tried-and-tested treatments you can try if your hair loss is causing you distress.
But most treatments aren’t available on the NHS, so you’ll have to pay for them.
It is important to note that no treatment is 100 percent effective.
Some wigs are available on the NHS, but you may have to pay unless you qualify for financial help.
There are two types of wig to choose from – synthetic and real-hair – and both come with pros and cons.
As the NHS explains, synthetic wigs last six to nine months and can be itchy and hot but are easier to look after than real-hair wigs and cost less.
Real-hair wigs, on the other hand, last three to four years look and are more natural than synthetic wigs but are harder to look after and cost more, notes the health body.
Other hair loss treatments include:
- Steroid injection – injections given into bald patches
- Steroid creams – cream applied to bald patches
- Immunotherapy – chemical applied to bald patches
- Light treatment – shining ultraviolet light on bald patches
- Tattooing – tattoo used to look like short hair and eyebrows
- Hair transplant – hair cells are moved to thinning patches
- Scalp reduction surgery – sections of scalp with hair are stretched and stitched together
- Artificial hair transplant – surgery to implant artificial hairs.
Some of the above treatments may not be available on the NHS.
Additional support
“If your hair loss is causing you distress, your GP may be able to help you get some counselling,” advises the NHS.
You may also benefit from joining a support group, or speaking to other people in the same situation on online forums.
Try these online support groups:
- Alopecia UK
- Alopecia Awareness.
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