Millions of men around the world suffer from various stages of hair loss over their life. About 30% of people have hair loss by age 30 years, and about 50% have hair loss by age 50 years. Hair loss is so common that most of the time it is considered a big social concern but not a disease. Since the 1980s, hair loss treatments have increasingly become a realistic management option for hair loss for men and women. Increased understanding of the role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in male and female hair loss has led to targeted intervention to prevent this hormone from acting on receptors in the scalp.
In the past few years, medicine has made tremendous strides in the treatment of men's hair loss treatments. With the advent of 5-alpha-reductace inhibitors such as Propecia and the evolution of hair transplants, living with noticeable hair loss is no longer inevitable. For the first time in the history it is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and to replace lost hair through surgery with completely natural results.
DHT is one of many male hormones in the body. DHT is developmentally important early in a man's life; however, it appears to be a cause of hair loss as men get older. DHT shrinks the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair. Doctors believe that excess DHT is an apparent cause of hair loss. The causes of hair loss are not well defined; however, researchers have found that men with male pattern hair loss have increased levels of DHT in the balding area of their scalps. Human hair normally follows a cycle of growth, falling out, and new growth. But increased levels of DHT are believed to contribute to the shortening of the growth phase, and a shortening of the time it takes for the hair to fall out. This results in a thinning of the hair on the scalp.
Some forms of hair loss can be prevented by practicing good nutrition, minimising stress, and sensible hairdressing techniques. Hair loss from fungal infections can be prevented by never sharing combs, hats, or brushes with other people and by keeping hair clean and the topical treatments may help slow or prevent the development of common male pattern baldness.
DHT is primarily responsible for patterned hair loss in males. Typically the temples, hairline, top and vertex of the scalp are the regions affected by hair loss. The rim of hair around the back of the scalp contains hormone resistant hair follicles which are not sensitive to DHT. When transplanted, follicles from this area will not fall out.
Minoxidil topical lotion, such as Rogaine, can slow progressive balding in hereditary hair loss, but not all hair will grow back. You should apply the lotion to your scalp while it is dry and leave it for at least 4 hours after application. You should not exceed the recommended dose, as over-use will not achieve better or faster growth. The most common side effect is an itchy scalp. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after applying the lotion, and avoid getting it in your eyes, nose or mouth. When taken in tablet form, minoxidil is used to treat high blood pressure and, if accidentally swallowed, could potentially affect normal heart function and blood pressure.
If you have early stage hair loss a good hair loss treatment are hair vitamins. The idea of a vitamin for hair may sound strange at first, but the fact is hair vitamins can do more to promote healthy hair growth than any hair loss shampoo or conditioner. Your diet profoundly effects the health of not only internal systems and organs, but external ones including the hair, skin, and fingernails. Hair vitamins can be helpful in addressing a variety of hair loss concerns from hair that grows too slowly to hair that is thinning.
Certain hair loss shampoos contain botanicals that act to neutralise the effects of DHT in the hair follicle. Another active ingredient in effective hair loss inhibiting shampoos is thymus peptides. These also penetrate to work deep within the hair follicle but claim to stop hair loss through a process of deep cleaning and pore unclogging so that new hair growth can break free and begin again naturally. If you choose a hair loss shampoo for your hair loss treatment that contains botanicals for DHT neutralisation you can expect to see a reduction in hair loss within one week of starting treatment. If you choose a hair growth enhancing shampoo that contains thymus peptides you can expect to see a slowing of excess hair loss within 2 weeks and some new hair growth within three months.
Remember that successful treatment of hair loss is greatly dependent on early intervention. It is critical to begin treatment with an effective product as soon as you notice the onset of hair loss. The following hair loss treatments have been clinically proven to successfully treat hair loss in men to varying degrees.
