Hair Loss in Men
Appearance is an important determinant of success for both men and women. With increased use of social media and virtual meetings we are more aware than ever of the image that we project. At Follicle HT, we understand that baldness or thinning hair can influence others’ perceptions of us and our own attitude and self-confidence.
The most common cause of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) and is a result of hormonal and genetic factors. Hereditary baldness is so common that many men see as part of the ageing process. Men that start to notice significant hair loss or hair thinning, may feel embarrassed or concerned. Predisposition to male pattern baldness is thought to be largely inherited, however the genetic process is complex and poorly understood. It is a myth that the “baldness-gene” is inherited from the maternal grandfather. Other myths include that poor scalp circulation, caps, hats, or shampoos cause baldness, although certain products such as strong relaxants can damage hair. Hair loss and restoration treatments at Follicle HT can help reduce, slow, and stimulate partial hair regrowth for men.
Causes of hair loss in the male patient
Numerous medical conditions can cause temporary or permanent hair loss however for the overwhelming majority of people who seek hair restoration, the cause of the problem is what is known as male pattern hair loss. This is also known as androgenetic alopecia (AA).
Alopecia
“Alopecia” means “hair-loss” and “androgenic” refers to male sex hormones or androgens that are responsible for progressive miniaturization and loss of hair with age. In genetically susceptible males, pattern baldness is caused by the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The hormone testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme called 5-α reductase and it is now understood that DHT is responsible for beard and body hair growth as well as for scalp hair loss. The medication Propecia (finasteride) prevents androgenic alopecia by blocking 5-α reductase.
In general, the horseshoe shaped area of scalp hair starting above the ears and extending to the back of the head is resistant to the effects of DHT and so is not lost with male pattern baldness. The resistance of these hairs to DHT is retained even when they are relocated to other areas of the scalp and it is this property that makes modern hair transplantation possible.
Genetics
Predisposition to male pattern baldness is thought to be largely inherited however the genetic process is complex and poorly understood. It is a myth that the “baldness-gene” is inherited from the maternal grandfather.
Poor scalp circulation
Other myths include that poor scalp circulation, caps or hats, or shampoos cause baldness, although certain products such as strong relaxants can damage hair.
Other conditions
In addition to androgenetic alopecia, there are numerous other conditions that can lead to temporary or permanent hair loss. Such conditions include thyroid or other hormonal imbalances, low iron, nutritional deficiencies, auto-immune disorders, medication side effects, trauma to the hair or scalp, stress and many others.
Stages of Hair Loss in Men
The effect of androgens on the male hairline can begin as early as the teenage years and most men will have experienced some degree of pattern hair loss by the time that they reach their fifties. The pattern typically begins as recession of hair in the temple areas and in the crown and can gradually progress until only a thin rim of hair is left around the edge of the scalp. It can be very difficult to predict the ultimate extent and pattern of hair loss for any individual patient.
The Norwood Classification System for MPHL :
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Treatment for male hair loss
While there’s no way to prevent male pattern hair loss from happening forever, plenty of clinically proven therapies exist that can help slow hair shedding, promote hair regrowth and restoration while making your hair thicker. Our surgeons at Follicle HT have the experience and knowledge to properly diagnose hair loss in men, and will work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses on going hair loss management and restoration.
Medical treatment
Medical treatment can slow or stop pattern hair loss in a large proportion of patients. Some patients will even experience re-growth of hair. The mainstays of modern medical treatment include finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine).
It is important to remember that if left untreated, pattern baldness will progress relentlessly. While some patients experience re-growth, the primary goal of medical treatment is to prevent additional hair loss. The key to medical prevention of hair loss is to start as soon as possible and preserve your existing hair. Although there are effective options to restore hair that has already been lost, our philosophy is that problems are almost always easier to prevent than they are to treat.
Injections Hair Restoration
At Follicle HT, we use also alternative methods for hair restoration, such as injections technique. Injection therapy hair loss treatment is a non-surgical option for both men and women who are suffering from hair loss and thinning. Injections therapy stands for enriched cells and can help patients with genetic hair loss, androgenetic alopecia and stress-related hair loss. At Follicle HT we are cutting age as what it is available in medicine as part of hair restoration practice.
Scalp Hair Transplant
There has been increasing recognition of the role of hair transplant surgery for women. Modern hair transplantation involves redistributing hair from areas of the scalp where there is a relative abundance (such as the back of the head) to more cosmetically important areas where hair is noticeably thin. Hair restoration is performed as an outpatient using mild sedation and local freezing. Discomfort is minimal and serious complications are rare. When performed well on appropriately selected patients with realistic expectations, hair transplantation generally leads to very gratifying results with marked improvement in hair density.
Facial Hair Transplant
In addition to scalp hair loss, modern hair transplant techniques can also be used to address facial hair loss. Men who have visible hair loss on their face, due to either genetically sparse facial hair or lack of facial hair following injuries, burns or previous surgeries, can benefit from facial hair transplant procedure.
Our team’s meticulous cosmetic surgical techniques result in virtually undetectable scars and long-term results that will continue to look natural even with aging, which helps give our patients a peace of mind with their decision to have hair transplantation done.
54-year-old man’s correction. 1500 follicular units harvested via FUT. 8 months post-op.
55-year-old male underwent 3600 follicular units in 2 sessions.
35 year old male. 1872 follicular units to beard via FUE. Shown approximately 10 months post operatively.
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At Follicle HT, our philosophy is that modern hair transplantation is a freedom granting procedure. We strive to help all our patients look and feel their very best by having the full range of options available.
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