Have you ever thought you're losing your hair after looking at your hairbrush? You aren't the only one. Daily hair loss is normal. We lose about 50–100 strands of hair every day. Usually, we replace the hair that falls out. For some men starting in their 30s, that cycle stops, and they don't regrow hair they lost. This type of hair loss is called male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. It occurs when the hair follicle under the skin shrinks and eventually stops growing hair. In the beginning, you might notice your hair feels thinner or your hairline moving further back on your head. | 
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What Causes Hair Loss?
- Age. Your chance of male pattern baldness increases as you get older. Half the male population will have some hair loss by age 50.
- Hormones. Hormones can change as you get older and can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.
- Family history. The genes you were born with can contribute to hair loss.
- Medications. Some medications have a side effect of hair loss. This may be temporary while you take the medicine.
- Stress. Stressful events can lead to temporary hair loss.
Signs of Hair Loss
People experience hair loss in different ways. Hair loss can progress in stages:
- Receding hairline. You may notice your hairline beginning to move back on your forehead.
- Bald spots. A circular or patchy spot develops where your hair is thinning.
- Deeper hairline recession. The hairline begins receding farther back on your head. Your hairline may develop a “U" or “M" shape.
- Connection between spots. You might notice your bald spots start to connect leaving just a ring of hair around your head.
Hair Loss Treatment
Not all hope is lost. There are ways to treat male pattern baldness. Your provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. The treatment could be a cream, lotion or shampoo for your hair.
Ingredients in OTC hair loss treatments include:
- azelaic acid
- biotin
- collagen
- tea tree oil
- Zinc
If those don't work for you, your provider might recommend other hair regrowth medications:
- Minoxidil is an OTC topical solution to apply to your scalp to stimulate hair regrowth.
- Finasteride is a prescription pill to promote hair regrowth.
You may or may not see results and you won't see them right away. It could take 6–12 months to thicken or regrow hair and you might notice only a subtle difference. You can take pictures of your hair monthly to track progress. Some men choose to embrace their hair loss by either shaving or finding new ways to style their hair.
Your doctor can lead you on the right path to hair regrowth. They know your history and can help you decide the best treatment.
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