Understanding Male Pattern Baldness and Its Treatments

Gentleman, we're not alone! There are more than 40 million men in America who suffer from Androgentic Alopecia, commonly known as Male Pattern Baldness. Most of men don't understand Baldness. Hell, going bald doesn't even hurt, except; perhaps the pride. Pride! That all consuming thought that knocks and screams- you're getting older! This leads men to seek treatment to regain their glorious mane of hair and youthful appearance.

Why are you losing your hair? More than 95% of men with male pattern baldness can contribute their hair loss to their age and what their genetics are telling their hormones to do. Male Pattern Baldness begins when the hair follicles start producing an enzyme called alpha 5. Alpha 5 combines with testosterone to create dihydrotetosterone (DHT). The receptors in the hair follicles are sensitive to DHT, which causes the follicle to gradually decrease in size. The hair becomes thinner and shorter, which means more hairs are shed. Some of the follicles eventually die, never to produce a hair again.

There are dozens of treatments available for male pattern baldness. Many hair loss treatments claim to revive dead hair follicles and grow new hair. Beware of these snake oil treatments. There is no cure for male pattern baldness.

Many hair loss treatments only help to decrease the rate of hair loss or cover it up. Whether you choose prescription, surgical or cosmetic treatments for your hair loss, you should seek diagnosis from a dermatologist or family physician first. Sudden hair loss may be attributed to illness, poor nutrition, skin damage, some medications, medical treatments, or fungal infections.

Baldness has plagued men for centuries. Leaders, such as Napoleon and Julius Ceaser, grew their hair long in the back and combed it forward to cover their bald spot. Others experimented with, what they considered various magical ointments.

The pharmaceutical companies have benefited more from hair loss than the people who have used their products. While the Pharmaceutical companies can be assured of steady revenue from the sales of Propecia and Minoxidil (Rogain), the customer cannot be so sure the product will work for them.

Minoxidil products only slow the rate of hair loss in 90% who use it, according to some studies. The affects of Minoxidil baffles scientist. They're not really sure how it works. Minoxidil, originally a drug for high blood pressure, prolongs the growth rate cycle of the hair.

Propeica is the only FDA approved drug in pill form approved to treat male pattern baldness. Propecia prevents testosterone from turning into DHT, which kills the hair follicle. These treatments are ideal for men with thinning hair or in the early stages of male pattern baldness.

For those men who start to look a little shiny on top, there are more radical treatments. Surgery is the most invasive of all hair loss treatments. We've all seen the pictures of ice-picked heads. There are a lot horror stories. However, over the years; hair replacement surgeons have made progress in developing procedures that leave the patient with natural feeling and appearing hair.

The downside to surgery is the maintenance and the cost. A hair transplant system requires replacement every year and needs to be reattached and groomed every 5 to 6 weeks. Over a 15 year span, the hair transplant system costs the patient over $28,000, according to the Hair Transplant Network.

The easiest surgical treatment is hair restoration therapy, which involves taking healthy hair follicles resistant to DHT and transplanting them to balding areas. The follicles continue to grow hair for the rest of your life.

Hairstyling is, by far, the cheapest treatment. Whether you prefer the unkempt, windblown look of a Donald Trump comb over or the short, neat style of Patrick Stewart, the choice is yours. Many feel brave enough to purchase a wig or a toupee to cover their bald spots. There are many strong adhesives available to attach toupees or wigs but when a curious child or strong gust of wind blows through, don't be surprised if it feels a little cold up top.