Androgenic Hair Loss: What It Looks Like in Men vs. Women

Hair loss is one of those things patients often bring up almost apologetically, like it's a small concern compared to everything else on my treatment menu, but it's not small. For a lot of people, it's one of the first visible signs that something has shifted, and it can affect confidence in a way that's hard to put into words.

The most common type I see in my Fishers practice is androgenic alopecia, sometimes called male or female pattern hair loss. It's a genetic condition, driven by how hair follicles respond to androgens (hormones like DHT), and it looks pretty different depending on whether you're a man or a woman. Understanding those differences is the first step in figuring out what actually helps.

What It Looks Like in Men

In men, androgenic alopecia tends to follow a predictable pattern: 

• Receding hairline, especially at the temples 
• Thinning at the crown, which can progress to a bald spot 
• Over time, these areas can connect, leaving a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides and back

This pattern is often described using the Norwood scale, which stages progression from mild recession to more extensive baldness. It's common for men to notice the first signs in their 20s to early 30s, though it can start younger. By age 50, a large percentage of men will show some degree of it.

What It Looks Like in Women

Female pattern hair loss looks and behaves differently, which is part of why it's frequently misunderstood or missed altogether: 

• Diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp, rather than a receding hairline 
• A widening part is often the first thing women notice 
• The frontal hairline is usually preserved, though some women do experience temple recession similar to men (it's just less common and less pronounced than the temple recession typically seen in men) 
• True baldness is rare

Onset is often later than in men, commonly showing up in the 40s and accelerating around menopause, when estrogen's protective effect on hair follicles declines. That said, I do see it in younger women too, especially when there's a strong family history or an underlying hormonal component.

Why the Differences Matter

Treatment shouldn't be one-size-fits-all because the patterns, timing, and hormonal drivers differ. A plan that works well for a 28-year-old man with early temple recession isn't necessarily right for a 47-year-old woman noticing a wider part. Getting an accurate read on what stage and pattern you're dealing with matters just as much as choosing the treatment itself.

What I Offer at Beauty by Blume

As a physician, I approach hair loss the way I approach any other diagnosis: with a real evaluation, not a generic protocol. Depending on what I see, options can include: 

• Alma TED: a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound technology to deliver peptides and growth factors deep into the scalp, supporting healthier, stronger hair growth without needles or downtime. It's become one of my favorite tools for both men and women in all stages of thinning. 
• A personalized treatment plan built around your specific pattern, stage, and any underlying contributors (hormonal, nutritional, or otherwise), which may include topical or oral options I can prescribe as a physician alongside in-office treatments. 
• Combination approaches: since hair restoration often responds best to layering more than one strategy over time rather than relying on a single treatment.

Why Home Care Matters Just as Much as In-Office Treatment

Whatever in-office plan we land on, it works best alongside consistent care at home. Androgenic hair loss is a chronic, ongoing process, so the follicles you're trying to protect need continuous support, not just an occasional office visit. 

• Topical minoxidil remains one of the most well-studied treatments for both male and female pattern hair loss. It won't reverse years of miniaturization on its own, but used consistently, it helps maintain the hair you have and can improve density over time. Consistency is the key word here as results fade if you stop using it. 
• De|Rive is a plant-based exosome serum applied twice daily to keep those growth signals active between visits. It's a gentle, hormone-free, plant-derived option that works well for both men and women. 
• Votesse is another at-home option I recommend as part of a hair wellness routine, supporting the hair growth cycle from the inside alongside your in-office treatments.

I think of in-office treatments like Alma TED as the acceleration, and home care as what protects that progress long-term. Skipping the home care piece is one of the most common reasons people feel like their results "didn't stick."

If you've noticed a receding hairline, a widening part, or just more hair in the shower drain than usual, it's worth having an actual conversation about it rather than guessing at over-the-counter fixes. I'd rather help you catch it early and treat it thoughtfully than watch it progress.

Ready to talk through your options? Book a consultation with me at Beauty by Blume in Fishers, Indiana, and let's figure out what's really going on with your hair and what we can do about it.