subject: Top 5 Questions About Mens Hair Loss [print this page] 1. Why am I losing my hair? Although men can lose hair due to environmental conditions, most men suffering from hair loss are experiencing Male Pattern Baldness. In Male Pattern Baldness, testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. The DHT affects hair follicles by slowing hair production. The follicles begin producing shorter, weaker hair, and can stop producing hair completely. This process generally occurs following 3 patterns (hence the term Male Pattern Balding). These patterns are illustrated in the Norwood Scale, which is the industry standard for charting this type of hair loss.
2. What should I do if I think Im losing my hair? Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. A dermatologist has the power to offer you prescription-strength hair loss medication, and can give you individualized, professional answers to your hair loss questions.
3. What are my treatment options? There are several options for a man who wants to combat hair loss. The first line of defense should be medication, which can stop and reverse the hair loss. Hair treatments such as hair thickeners, natural fiber sprays, and scalp concealers are compatible with all types of medication and can improve the appearance of your hair while the medication begins working. These treatments may also be invaluable during the shedding phase of medicinal therapy.
4.How bald will I become? As much time as we may spend thinking about this question, there is no way to predict an individual balding pattern. Assess your current hair loss using the Norwood Scale. It will give you a method for describing your current hair pattern. However, only time will tell how far along a particular pattern your hair loss will progress.
5.Should I consider Hair Transplant surgery? Hair transplant surgery is extremely expensive and patients often have mixed results. Basically, there is no guarantee that the transplanted hair follicles will thrive, that the transplanted hair will grow, that the baldness will be cured forever, and that you will be pleased with the results. If you find a man who is happy with his experience, get the name of his doctor!
