Hair Loss
Overview
Hair Loss, commonly referred to male pattern balding, is the thinning and balding of the hair in men, and is hereditary.
Male pattern balding is thought to be caused by a blood hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which can shrink hair follicles.
Typically, hair will start to thin in a pattern at the crown of the head and/or at the front of the head by the temples, until it eventually stops growing.
For many, hair loss can affect confidence and can be a sensitive issue. Fortunately, it can be prevented by a number of treatments.
Treatment Options
Symptoms
Hair loss can start to occur during any age of a man’s life, even as early as in the teens. It commonly occurs either at the crown of the head, or by the temples of the head and along the front hairline and can happen at both sites.
The thinning process at the front of the head occurs at both sides of the head and the receding of the hairline occurs in a pattern. At the crown of the head, hair will start to thin in a small area at the base and then start to spread out. One will notice that the hair will first start growing with less strength and thinner, and will eventually stop growing when the hair follicles are no longer able to perform their task.
Treatments
Hair loss can be treated in a number of ways. One of the most popular forms of hair loss prevention is Propecia (finasteride), which is a pill taken daily to reduce the amount of DHT hormone in the blood.
Results often show by 3 months of taking Propecia and continue to improve over a couple of years. Propecia prevents hair thinning and loss and can even promote a degree of hair regrowth. Propecia must continually be used, as hair loss will reoccur upon the stopping of taking the treatment and the hair will revert to the stage where it naturally would have been, had the treatment not been taken.
Another very popular form of hair loss prevention is Regaine (minoxidil). Minoxidil typically comes in the form of a topical solution, which can be applied to the scalp twice a day. It works by promoting and stimulating circulation in the scalp, which can prevent hair from further thinning in most men and even regrow hair in many cases. Results are often seen in 2 months.
Again, this treatment must continually be used, as hair loss will reoccur upon the stopping of taking the treatment and the hair will revert to the stage where it naturally would have been if the treatment were not taken.
With both types of treatment, the earlier in the hair loss process that they are started, the less hair that will be lost. Between the two treatment options however, Propecia is more effective because it treats the hormonal imbalance in DHT which is the root cause of the hair loss.
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