What is hair loss in men?

Male hair loss is the commonest type of hair loss. It is because of increased sensitivities to male sex hormones (medically known as androgens) in certain areas of the scalp, and this is considered to be a problem that can be passed on from generation-to-generation.
In the past, baldness was oftentimes considered as something unfortunate or unwanted. Nevertheless, this attitude has converted over the years and in present world, a clean-shaven head is generally considered both; fashionable and mesmerizing!

What causes male hair loss?

Some men have sites on their scalps those are very sensible to the male sexual hormones that travels in men's bloodstreams. The hormones turn the hair follicles - from where hairs grow - shrink. Over the times, they become so small that they do not replace lost hair. The follicles might still be alive, but they no longer being capable to perform their tasks.

The condition generally begins in man aging 20 to 30 yr and follows a typical pattern that goes something like this - firstly, a receding hairline would develop, and gradually the hairs on top of the head begin to get thinner. Over the times, the two balding areas meet forming a typical U-shape around the backs and sides of the scalp. The hairs remaining anywhere are often thinner and do not grow as quickly as they used to.

Are there any preventive methods for male hair loss?

Male hair loss is usually determined (hereditary; that is passed on from the father). Although a doctor can advise some medical treatments for improving the condition, this might have side effects. One requires deciding how he feels about hair loss. Male hair losses affect a large part of the male populations and men react very differently to this.

It is quite essential to try to accept hair losses for what it is - somewhat natural. Rather than trying for camouflaging bald spots with remaining hairs or a wigs, it is probably a better idea for leaving the hairs as they are, or shave it off totally. If, still, anyone decides to try to regaining the hair, possible medical therapies are discussed as follow –

The treatment for male hair loss

Baldness is usually regarded as natural, and not a condition for males. So if any man decides or he wishes to try to get his hair back, he will likely have to pay for the lengthy, expensive procedures:

Treatment with medication

Minoxidil lotion can be applied two times a day onto the scalp. Though, the medicine was originally invented for high blood pressure; the hair growth is one of the side effects and hence, is useful.

Finasteride is another medicine taken in tablet form, which partly blocks the effects of the male hormones (such as androgens). It is used in higher dosages for reducing the size of the prostate glands in males with benign prostatic hypertrophy. The drug has shown to halt foster hair losses and promoting re-growths of scalp hairs in about 80% of patients after 3-6 months.

Plastic surgery

Hair transplant: This is the procedure in which, a surgeon moves non-sensitive hairs from the backside of the head to its top. This is best for those males whose hair loss is restricted to the front-side of the scalp. Factors those determine whether a man is a suitable for the procedure are age, hair color, the pattern of hair loss, and whether the hairs are straight or curly.

Scalp reduction: This is a technique, which is most suitable for males with small, well-defined bald spots onto the top of the scalp.

Flap-surgery: This treatment includes making the parts of the scalp those still contain hairs in larger quantity. This is good way to treat cases of hair loss happened in small areas.