How Long Does the Balding Process Take? Timeline for Male Pattern Hair Loss

But, if left completely untreated, just how much time normally elapses between the first suggestions of thinning hair or a receding hairline and large bald spots?

Male pattern hair loss doesn’t proceed exactly the same for everyone experiencing it, but there may be some generalizations that can help you gauge an approximate timeline.

Below, we will go over the average time that elapses during the hair loss process, how you can predict just how far your hair loss may progress, lifestyle factors that could hasten the loss, as well as potential strategies to slow male pattern hair loss.
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Also Read: Lifestyle Factors That May Worsen Male Pattern Hair Loss: Twin Study

How long does the balding process take with male pattern hair loss?

Everyone’s head (and genes, and lifestyle) is a little bit different, so it’s not possible to conclusively pin down a hair loss timeline extremely accurately.

But, in general, if you have just started noticing male pattern hair loss or thinning on your temples, crown, front hairline, or all three -- you may have about 15-25 years until full or partial baldness.

How can you help predict how far your balding may progress?

Male pattern hair loss is a genetic situation where your hair follicles are susceptible to damage and miniaturization from exposure to DHT.

DHT is a normal androgen hormone that is produced through an enzymatic reaction with some of the testosterone in your body.

But, it is also a known culprit for male pattern hair loss.

Since male pattern hair loss is determined by a genetic predisposition to hair loss, you may be able to take a look at your male relatives to get a potential picture of what your end-game hair loss may look like without treatment (or with whatever treatment(s) they tried).

Some men progress to full head baldness, while some retain a “U” shape of hair around the back and sides of the head.

You may also be able to gain some insight into what your future hair loss timeline could look like by having a conversation with the men in your family and gauging their approximate onset of hair loss and just how fast it seemed to progress.

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Read Related: What is DHT? And How Can It Damage Your Hair

What things might make the balding process proceed faster

Of course, your genetic predisposition is not always the full story.

Male pattern hair loss may progress even faster if you don’t take great care of your overall health and wellness.

Smoking, excessive drinking, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle may make hair loss progress even faster than it has to.

Incorporate healthy lifestyle practices to help your hair loss progress as slowly as possible.

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Also Read: At What Age Does Male Pattern Hair Loss Start?

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How to slow or stop male pattern hair loss balding

In addition to adopting general healthy living practices, there are also medications that may help slow the progression of male pattern hair loss.

Minoxidil is available in over the counter preparations alone, or in prescription compounded formulas combined with other hair loss medications.

The full mechanism of how Minoxidil helps promote hair growth is not fully known.

But, we know that Minoxidil helps improve scalp blood flow and may extend the Anagen growth phase of the hair cycle.

Finasteride is a prescription medication that helps target the root cause of male pattern hair loss -- DHT.

Finasteride helps block the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of Testosterone into DHT.

This effectively helps vastly reduce the amount of DHT around to damage hair follicles.

Strut Health male pattern hair loss treatments online

The main goals of treatments for male pattern hair loss are to slow the follicle damage and reduce the rate of hair loss.

Attempts to help recover hairs that have already stopped growing hair are much less effective than hair loss prevention.

For this reason, starting male pattern hair loss treatments at the first sign of loss will deliver the best possible long-term results.

Here at Strut, we offer a variety of prescription hair loss treatments for male pattern hair loss to help suit your hair and preferences.

We carry oral and topical options, both retail and compounded, with active ingredients like Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Tretinoin, and Biotin.

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If you are interested in a topical, tablet, or capsule treatment to help slow the progression of male pattern hair loss, you can have a free online questionnaire and image-based telemedicine consult with our U.S. licensed providers today.

If you are a good candidate for treatment, your medication will be sent to your front door with our free shipping.

*Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality by the FDA. Rx required.