2 Different Patterns of Baldness and What They Mean

Noticing less hair when you shower or style your locks? You’re in good company. About 50% of women and over 80% of men struggle with significant hair loss. Not all hair loss is alike.

All types of hair loss result when your natural hair growth cycle gets disrupted. This cycle involves three main phases:

• The anagen or growth phase (two to six years)
• The catagen or transition phase (about 10 days)
• The telogen or resting and shedding phase (two to three months)

At Honest Hair Restoration in Bradenton and Tampa, Florida, board-certified physician Martin Maag, MD, and the team evaluate your specific hair loss to create a customized hair restoration treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.

Keep reading to learn about the two most common patterns of hair loss and what each means for you. 

Type 1: Androgenetic alopecia

The most common hair loss for both men and women is androgenetic alopecia, or male or female pattern baldness. In fact, researchers estimate about 95% of hair loss in men is because of androgenetic alopecia.

This pattern of hair loss is hereditary, meaning if one of both of your parents experienced it, your risk of this type of baldness is higher. Male and female pattern baldness results when your hair follicles react to a byproduct of testosterone. 

In reaction to the chemical, your hair follicles shrink, and their lifespan grows shorter and shorter. Eventually, the affected follicles stop producing new hair and baldness or widespread thinning results. 

In men, androgenetic alopecia causes a receding hairline, less hair on the crown, and eventually, baldness. In women, hair typically thins more evenly across the scalp or thins from the center part out, though rarely leading to baldness.

What it means for you

Although you can’t control the genes that lead to male or female pattern balding, you can take steps to slow hair loss or restore your hair. The right treatment depends on the stage of hair loss you’re in and the condition of your scalp.

The first line of treatment is often medication to slow hair loss or nonsurgical treatments, like low-level laser therapy or platelet-rich plasma treatments to stimulate hair growth. Your provider may also suggest a hair transplant to create permanent hair restoration in thinning areas. 

Type 2: Involutional alopecia

This hair loss pattern is the second most common after male and female pattern baldness. It typically develops as part of the natural aging process when your hair growth slows, leading to a shorter growing phase. 

As a result, your hair follicles move into the resting phase of the hair cycle, where they are shed faster. This causes a gradual and progressive thinning of the hair, usually fairly evenly distributed across the scalp. It also leads to shorter hair, since the growth phase is shorter. 

What it means for you

First, be sure to talk to your medical provider and rule out any underlying health conditions that can affect your hair. As a medical doctor, Dr Maag can correctly diagnose your hair loss and suggest the best treatment for involutional alopecia. 

Patients with early-to-mid-stage involutional alopecia have found success with therapies that stimulate the hair follicles and promote natural hair growth, like platelet-rich plasma therapy and low-level laser therapy. For more advanced hair loss, hair transplant with follicular unit extraction (FUE) may be recommended. 

Hair restoration options

Dr. Maag at Honest Hair Restoration evaluates your hair loss through the lens of a medical doctor. This means you can rest assured our team isn’t trying to sell you on a particular treatment, but rather provide you with information about the best hair restoration approach for your unique needs. 

Before creating a customized hair restoration plan, Dr. Maag reviews your medical history, family hair loss history, and the condition of your scalp and existing hair. The right treatment depends on these factors and your type of hair loss. 

Some of our most popular therapies include:

• Custom-blended, prescription and prescription-strength medications
• Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Hair transplant surgery

For an evaluation of your hair loss and personalized hair restoration treatment recommendations, schedule a consultation online or over the phone with Dr. Maag and the Honest Hair Restoration team at our Florida office nearest you.