How to Combat Male Pattern Baldness

Male Pattern Baldness is a genetic condition that is caused by a hormone called DHT. DHT wraps itself around healthy hair follicles and basically causes the follicle to become barren. In male pattern baldness, the sides and the back of the head is not affected by the DHT. This is the reason why you will see balding men who still have hair left on the sides and back, but nothing in the front and crown. Read further to find out how to combat male pattern baldness.

Minoxidil:

The first thing that you can do to combat male pattern baldness is to use minoxidil. Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine, and it will help you retain the hair that you have, but it will not cause hair to regrow. Minoxidil should be your first choice when you notice that your hair is receding. Minoxidil is a topical medicine and it is to be worked into the hair, it can be purchased over the counter.

Finasteride:

In conjunction with the Minoxidil, you should take the oral medication Finasteride. Successfully marketed under the brand name Propecia, Finasteride will help to retain your hair in the early stages of male pattern baldness as well. Some people prefer to take Finasteride alone because Minoxidil can tend to be messy. Finasteride can be accessed only by prescription.

Hair Systems:

If you are losing a lot of hair you could consider a hair system. Hair systems are snuggly fitted onto the head with an adhesive and blended in with your remaining hair. Hair systems can be somewhat of a pain because you always have to worry that it may come off or get twisted somehow. Also, there is the distinct feeling that "something" is on your head. However, some men are not bothered by these concerns and they feel that hair systems are a good solution to male pattern baldness.

Hair Transplants:

If you are serious about combating male pattern baldness, the only intelligent choice is hair transplant surgery. Modern day hair transplant surgery looks nothing like the "Barbie doll" look of yesterday or the "plugs" that we are all familiar with. Today's advanced hair transplant techniques involve follicular unit grafts and they are completely undetectable, even at close range. With Hair Transplants, healthy (non DHT) hair follicles are transplanted from the backs and sides of the head to the balding area. Once the healthy hair follicles have been transplanted, the hair will remain unaffected by DHT and will continue to grow for a lifetime. You will see promises for hair growth lotions and potions all over the Internet, but make no mistake......hair transplant surgery is the ONLY way to regrow hair that has been lost to male pattern baldness.

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