Male Hair Loss
Male hair loss or androgenetic alopecia is a common disorder in men and affects up to 60% of the male population by the age of 50 in most races.
Hair transplants have been the most common cosmetic procedures being done for men today. Both hormonal and genetic factors play a role, but the exact mechanism of baldness in men is not fully understood.
Causes of Baldness in Men
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) a powerful sex hormone is known to be the trigger for male pattern baldness. It has been noted that men with Male Pattern Baldness have elevated levels of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. The act of genes, hormones and time makes prone hair shorter and finer over time and before long it eventually dies out. The progress of this miniaturization causes disappearance of certain hair shafts and shrinkage of the others. In this process, the scalp hair becomes very fine and short, which is also known as miniaturized hair.
Hair loss can begin as early as the end of puberty. The Hamilton-Norwood scale is used for the classification of male pattern baldness and is based on the progress and severity of hair loss. Currently, several treatment options are available. Besides hair transplantation, there are two medications that have been FDA approved for use in the United States. Patients who benefit the most from effects of medications on slowing the baldness process are still in the initial stages of baldness.
Treatment of Male Pattern Baldness MPB
Medical treatment for baldness in men has always been a challenge. There have been only minimal results with the available approved medications. Of the two approved medications the first and older one is the topical form of Minoxidil (Rogaine). Minoxidil is available in 2% and 5% solutions. Minoxidil needs to be applied to the balding areas of the scalp and its effectiveness will not be seen for several months after treatment begins. Positive results of the medication are not permanent and in most cases a patient will resume hair loss after discontinuation of the medication. Minoxidil treatment can be used in combination with hair transplantation.
The only available oral medication for male pattern baldness is finasteride (Propecia). It is available for hair loss treatment in one milligram pills and one pill should be taken every day. Withdrawal usually leads to reversal of hair loss within 12 months.
Hair transplant is the standard permanent treatment for baldness and can deliver natural results. Several surgical treatments have been traditionally available including plug graft, scalp flaps and scalp reductions. The discovery of Follicular Unit Transplant, which can produce the most natural result, has been a revolutionary treatment of hair loss for both men and women.
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