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Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness and Hair Loss

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Written by Andrew Kelly

Friday, 28 March 2008

by AndrewKelly

When asked to picture a man in his late fifties most of us would bring to mind a balding, slightly overweight character. Sadly the odds are that we would be close to the mark as most men develop at least one type of baldness as they get older. Hair can live for about five years but, as there thousands of hairs on the head, we can lose an enormous amount each and every day and hardly notice. Many men bald in a specific way referred to as male pattern baldness.

Hair loss is known in the medical world as alopecia and Male pattern baldness (MPB) is specifically known as androgenetic alopecia. Not strictly a medical disease or illness it is caused by the action of chemicals in our body upon the hair follicles in the scalp. The hormone known as dihydrotestosterone appears to be the main cause in the case of MPB.

Often very alarming, and sometimes somewhat upsetting, the onset of MPB at an early age can come as something of a shock for anybody no matter how prepared you are. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for men of around 20 to notice the early signs of MPB such as a receding hair line. Androgenetic alopecia can start at any time but commonly between the ages of 20 - 50. Sadly, if your father developed MPB at an early age it is highly likely that the same will happen to you as the problem is genetic.

The need to look good has always been important but today's society seems to be focused on the need to look young and healthy at all times. One of the most obvious signs of aging, besides wrinkles, is male pattern baldness. It should, therefore, come as little surprise that the industry involved hair loss is massive. Luckily the drug companies are always looking for a miracle cure for baldness and, happily, there are a few things that we can do to combat MPB.

Male pattern baldness is not, strictly speaking, a medical condition. As it is genetic there is little that can be done to 'cure' it. However there have recently been a couple of interesting drugs developed that help to stop the progression of MPB. If these drugs do not work, or you already have extensive baldness, you have no option than to use a wig, or hair piece, or spend a small fortune on cosmetic surgery.

One of the treatments for MPB which is becoming widely known is Rogaine which uses the magic ingredient called Minoxidil. Minoxidil stops hair loss from the scalp but it has to be used all the time as stoping using this topical medication results in the resumption of hair loss.

Propecia and Proscar are two other well known treatments for MPB. Both treatments use Finasteride, which is an oral medication, to stop the body from producing dihydrotestosterone (and therefore stoping hair loss). Sadly this is another treatment that is required on a continual basis as ceasing it will cause the hair loss to return.

Cosmetic surgery for male pattern baldness is incredible but, if it goes wrong, it can be a complete nightmare. Please, if you are planning such cosmetic surgery, do not take short cuts. Make use you use the best cosmetic surgeon available in your area. After all, we are talking about one of the most visible parts of your body.

The last treatment for male pattern baldness that we shall investigate is not really a treatment, rather, it is a solution to a problem. Wigs have been available for thousands of years and are still a popular solution to hair loss. Available as smaller hair pieces it is important that you do not opt for the cheapest wigs. Good quality wigs are made from real hair and are therefore rather expensive. However the results are spectacular.

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