An expanding bald spot on your scalp can affect your self-esteem and your interpersonal relationships. While some men never experience hair loss, most men are not so lucky. By the age of 35, two-thirds of U.S. men notice hair loss to some degree, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Medications, surgery and hairpieces can restore your hairline and make you feel less self-conscious about hair loss.
Medication
Androgenetic alopecia, also called male pattern baldness, is the most common cause of male hair loss. The American Hair Loss Association reports that the condition accounts for over 95 percent of hair loss in men. Two medications, finasteride and minoxidil, are available to treat male pattern baldness. Finasteride is an oral medication that slows hair loss and spurs regrowth of hair by affecting an enzyme that controls the male hormones responsible for male pattern baldness. The medication works best in early to moderate hair loss and is less successful in treating extensive hair loss, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Finasteride is most successful in increasing hair growth over the crown.
Minoxidil is a topical treatment applied directly to bald spots. Minoxidil can slow hair loss and cause some hair regrowth. Minoxidil does not affect the hormones that can cause male hair loss and is less effective than finasteride. Because of the limitations of minoxidil, the American Hair Loss Association does not recommend it as the primary treatment for hair loss, unless finasteride is ineffective in treating the problem.
Hair Transplant
If medication is unsuccessful in treating hair loss, your doctor may recommend a hair transplant. During hair transplant surgery, small areas of the scalp containing healthy hair are removed and grafted into place on your bald spots. Doctors remove donor hair in groups of one to three hair follicles, providing a more natural look when transplanted. If the bald spot is particularly large, hair transplants may be used in conjunction with scalp reduction techniques. During scalp reduction, doctors remove excess skin from the scalp, resulting in a smaller bald spot. Good candidates for scalp reduction are men who have excellent donor hair on the back and sides of the scalp, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
Hairpieces
Hairpieces restore the appearance of the hair for men who don't wish to use medication or surgery. Hairpieces consist of real or artificial hair attached to mesh or polymer bases. Clips, adhesive tape or glue connect the hairpiece to the scalp. If you choose to glue your hairpiece to your scalp, the American Hair Loss Association recommends loosening or removing the hairpiece every five days so that you can clean your scalp.
References
- American Hair Loss Association: Men's Hair Loss
- International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery: Using Finasteride as a Hair Loss Treatment
- American Hair Loss Association: Treatment
- International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery: Alopecia Reduction
- American Hair Loss Association: What is a Hairpiece?
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