Hair Restoration: Pursuit of the Hirsute
Stimulating the scalp increases circulation, which may slow baldness. The obvious advantage to this approach is that there is no cost. Wash your hair daily with a gentle shampoo, being careful to thoroughly massage your scalp before rinsing. In addition, spend about five minutes in the morning after getting up, and in the evening before retiring, brushing your scalp with a firm-bristled brush. Plastic bristles are better than metal for this purpose. The idea is to stimulate, not irritate, the scalp.
A lot of people have had success with hair restoration formulas such as Rogaine®, also marketed under the generic name, minoxidil. Rogaine® is not cheap, and to maintain results, users must continue indefinitely with the treatment. My initial experience with this product was excellent; I noticed new hair growth almost immediately. Shortly after that, however, I developed a severe scalp rash, and was forced to abandon Rogaine®. I next tried a product called Kevis, which caused no irritation, and grew a slight amount of hair, but not enough to justify the cost. Both Rogaine® and Kevis block DHT.
A hair transplants is the most expensive and extensive option, and only works for people whose baldness has not progressed past a certain point. The surgeon removes hair follicles from the back or sides of the head, and transplants them into the thinning areas in front or on top. Supposedly, the skin in the more hirsute portions of the scalp is more flexible, and quickly closes over the gaps left by the transplant. I personally knew a man who had superb results with his transplant, but I've also heard horror stories involving significant pain and hideous scarring. After being quoted a price of $10,000 to $12,000, I declined.
The fourth "method" of combating hair loss I have found the most efficacious: deal with it. I go to the barber around the first of every month and instruct him to "take it all off." All that remains is a slight layer of stubble, which in my opinion looks infinitely better than the dreadful comb-over!
Sources
American Hair Loss Association. "Male Pattern Baldness Causes." WebMD 1Aug. 2005
25 Nov. 2007
Rogaine®. 25 Nov. 2007.
Kevis. Kevis Rejuvenation Programs, Inc. 25 Nov. 2007 .
Published by Allan M. Heller
I am a free lance writer and author of three books. I have also published short fiction, and poetry. I don't fit into a particular political mold. Although I lean toward conservative, I have opinions that... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting piece. As a rhymer, I particularly liked your title. Very clever. ;-)
I like your take on this! You are who you are, unique, creative, the only you we have - hair or no hair!