In men, there is no specific time or age that an individual may start losing their hair. This time factor is not well defined but, the cause is actually well understood. In men, the most common cause of hair loss is pattern baldness. So if you are 25 or 40, but your hair is already starting to thin out in the front and in the back and slowly going bald, you probably have pattern baldness.
This cause of baldness is actually inherited. According to research, your mother’s side has a greater contribution to this genetic problem. If your grandfather or your uncle in your mother’s side is starting to lose their hair, then you might probably be worried for yourself.
Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is the more potent version of testosterone. This hormone is formed by the action of 5-alpha reductase on testosterone in the bloodstream. Too much production of DHT may cause different problems in men like enlargement of the prostate, prostatic cancer, adult acne, and pattern baldness.
DHT is a hormone like testosterone, but it is more potent. The hairs in the front of your head and at the top are the most sensitive to DHT. Hair follicles on these parts have a tendency to thin out resulting to a smaller diameter in your hair shaft. The thinning out of the hair in these areas eventually results to baldness.
However, you do not need to worry after all. There are now very effective solutions to your problem. Depending on your situation, you can restore your hair back through different solutions. If your hair just starting to thin out, you can go for anti-DHT medications. However, if you already have a total baldness in one area, you can go for hair transplant. It is sad to say that lost hairs on those areas can never be restored again through medications only.
Anti-DHT Medications
Finasteride (the generic name) is the commonly used anti-DHT drug for pattern baldness. This is commonly used for patients who have just started to thin out their hair. A certain dose of this drug should be prescribed by a physician because of its potential side effects like decrease of sexual drive, erectile dysfunction, and decrease in ejaculate, loss of body hair, and breast tenderness or growth. However, these side effects are very much reversible once the medication is stopped.
The use of finasteride to restore hair has been proven after 12-15 moths of use. This drug is more effective in restoring hair in the back rather than in the front, but there results may vary and this drug can still restore your hair in the front.
Hair Transplant
This solution is used only when there is no hope to regrow your hair back. This is also very effective and has no side effects. Though hair transplant is more expensive, it is actually one of the best solutions yet. It is best to consult your doctor about this option.
This procedure is based on Dr. Bernstein’s concepts. Hair (with healthy follicles) are harvested from a donor site and transferred to a bald area through a minor surgical procedure. Within 2-3 months, the hair will start to grow and produce more, and eventually will lead to a healthy crown of hair again.
This transplanted hair is not susceptible to the actions of DHT because its follicles are from a different area of the body. Remember that the hair that is sensitive to DHT is the one growing from the front and back scalp only. Transplanted hair will continue to grow throughout a person’s life.