Male pattern baldness (or androgenic alopecia) is largely a genetic disorder. It arises in some men because they are genetically predisposed to having higher levels of 5-alpha reductase in their bodies. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme that converts the male hormone, testosterone, into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks hair follicle cells over time resulting in thinner hair. As DHT accumulates, hair gradually thins until it is lost entirely in certain areas.
For decades, a myth has perpetuated that hair loss genes were only passed down from the mother’s side of the family. In truth, however, how we inherit our baldness isn’t entirely clear because many different genetic and environmental factors are involved. Unfortunately, we can’t blame this one on mum, guys.
Because of the complex number of factors involved in male pattern baldness, the age at which it strikes will vary between men. Generally speaking, about 25% of men will begin balding before the age of 21.
By the age of 35, about 66% of men will experience some degree of hair loss. Finally, by the age of 50, approximately 85% of men will have significantly thinning hair.
The amount of hair you lose and where the hair is lost varies considerably from one guy to the next. The typical pattern of male baldness begins at the hairline. The hairline gradually recedes, forming an “M”-shaped pattern. Eventually the hair becomes finer, shorter and thinner, creating a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head. But, not all men will suffer severe hair loss. The amount you lose depends again on various genetic and environmental factors.
Stress tends to influence a type of hair loss that is distinct from male pattern baldness. Severe emotional or physical stress, as well as chronic stress, may lead to a sudden and rapid shedding of the hair. Medically, this is known as telogen effluvium. Hair that is lost in this way will typically regrow in a few months, unlike hair that is lost due to traditional balding. Scientists are just now exploring whether acute or chronic stress influences male pattern baldness.
Excessive shampooing, hair drying, coloring or the use of other hair products (or even wearing a hat) may temporarily damage the hair, causing it to become dry, brittle, lusterless or limp — but the use of these products will not influence the gradual process of male pattern baldness. Any damage through hair care products is typically only temporary since individual hairs fall out and regrow in a consistent cycle over the course of several months.
Generally, the sooner you begin treatment, the more likely you are to see results and the more likely it is that you will delay further balding. However, keep in mind that many of the common therapies for hair loss come with unwanted side effects, so it’s important to speak with your doctor early to devise a treatment plan that you are both comfortable with.
As of today, treatment options for male pattern baldness are limited but expanding. Currently, there are only two drugs licensed by the FDA for male pattern baldness: finasteride (Proscar/Propecia) and minoxidil (Regaine/Loniten). These are the only drugs currently licensed by the FDA that actually help hair to regrow. Outside of drug therapy, there are additional treatment options, including non-surgical hair restoration , surgical hair restoration and low-level laser therapy. New treatments such as hair cloning and gene therapy are on the horizon, but not yet ready for prime time.
For drug treatments like finasterde or minoxidil, results may not appear for several months. As a general rule, you must continue taking these drugs if you want the results to continue. Although it’s possible that results will persist after you discontinue usage, it is likely that hair loss will return. The only permanent treatment for balding is hair transplantation.
In all hair transplant procedures, we are able to transplant into areas of existing hair without it having to be cut.
The question of whether hair needs to be cut in the donor area depends upon the way the donor hair is obtained (harvested).
We perform our hair transplant procedures using long-acting, local anesthesia, so after the initial injections, the patient doesn’t experience any pain or discomfort. The local anesthesia (a combination of Lidocaine and Marcaine) lasts about 4-5 hours.
- Complete absence of lesions and scars on the scalp.
- The most natural appearance of hair and hair growth
- Maximum possible density of hair, which is achieved by transplantation up to 70-80 hair per 1 cm2.
- Opportunity to wear short haircuts, shave your head, etc.
- If necessary, possibility of repeated procedures.
- A 98% guarantee the growth of the transplanted hair.
- Scars from different origin can appear at human body, including traumatic and postoperative .
- The most common scars remain after cosmetic operations facelift . Procedure for hair transplantation HFE, you can get the most spectacular natural result.
- HFE method allows to hide the scars appeared after hair transplantation by other methods.
- If necessary, possibility of repeated procedures;
- A 98% guarantee the growth of the transplanted hair.
It generally takes a year to see the full results of a hair transplant. Growth usually begins around 2 1/2 to 3 months and at 6-8 months the hair transplant starts to become comb-able.
It is not necessary to take any medication for a hair transplant other than the local anesthesia used during the procedure.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRANSPLANT ARTIFICIAL HAIR OR HAIR FROM ANOTHER PERSON (THE IMPLANTATION OF HAIR)?
Transplanting artificial hair ( hair implantation ) or hair from another person is impossible.
For hair transplant method HFE only used your own hair, removed from the donor area.
The most viable option of hair transplantation ( implantation of hair) from another person is transplantin hair follicles from one identical twin to another.
After implantation of artificial hair often patients develop allergies different directions accompanying natural rejection of foreign material.
Non-surgical method of hair transplantation HFE can not only hide the scars in the eyebrows, face, intimate area, but also to strengthen the density of hair eyebrows, eyelashes, mustache, beard and pubic area.
In these zones, to achieve the desired thickness and the angle of hair growth can be transplanted only by using microsurgical instruments under a microscope.
After the procedure HFE,eyebrows, mustache, beard and pubic areas , the skin remains smooth without any noticeable damage, as in the area of transplantation, and the donor area.
Eyelash transplantation is performed only for medical reasons.