Men’s Hair Loss: In-Depth Treatment Guide
Posted on February 21, 2023 by root
Gents, it’s time to get serious about our hair, or lack thereof. We’ve all been there – you’re in the shower and suddenly you notice a little more hair going down the drain than usual. But fear not, my friends, because we’re going to tackle this hair loss thing head-on!
Let’s start with the basics – what is hair loss?
The human scalp contains an average of 100,000 to 150,000 hairs. As they reach the end of their life cycles, 50 to 100 will fall out daily. However, when shedding outpaces growth, it significantly leads to hair loss.
Hair loss has been a complex issue for many people worldwide, a relatively more common condition among men than women, with over 85% reporting significant hair loss by age 50.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, 25 percent of men with male-patterned baldness start losing hair before age 21, and approximately 66 percent of men experience hair loss at age 35. But what are the causes? How common is hair loss? Are there any treatments for hair loss? And, soon, what are the possible treatments?
Now, what causes hair loss?
Well, there’s the genetics factor, which we can’t really control. But there’s also hormones, medical conditions, and even stress that can cause hair to fall out. The biggest culprit for us guys is something called androgenetic alopecia, which is caused by a sensitivity to a hormone called DHT. This hormone shrinks our hair follicles, leading to thinning and eventual hair loss.
Now that we know what’s causing our hair loss, let’s talk about what we can do about it. The good news is that there are a ton of options available to us.
Current Treatment Options
Medications: The most commonly prescribed medications for hair loss are finasteride and minoxidil.
Finasteride
Multiple clinical trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of finasteride for hair loss. Here are some of the key findings from some of these studies:
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of finasteride 1mg in men with male pattern baldness found that after two years of treatment, approximately 83% of the men in the finasteride group maintained their hair count, compared to only 28% in the placebo group. Furthermore, about 66% of the men in the finasteride group showed an improvement in hair growth, compared to only 7% in the placebo group.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of finasteride 1mg in men with male pattern baldness found that after one year of treatment, the mean hair count in the finasteride group increased by approximately 20%, while it decreased by approximately 10% in the placebo group.
A meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials of finasteride 1mg for male pattern baldness found that the medication was significantly more effective than placebo in terms of promoting hair growth and slowing hair loss.
These results suggest that finasteride can be effective for hair loss, but it is important to note that individual results may vary and that some people may not see significant results. Additionally, it is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks of finasteride with a healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Finasteride is generally well-tolerated, but it can cause some side effects. The most commonly reported side effects include:
- Decreased libido (sex drive)
- Erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or maintaining an erection)
- Decreased volume of ejaculate
It’s important to note that these side effects are generally rare, and that most men do not experience any significant sexual side effects while taking finasteride. If these side effects do occur, it is important to discuss with your physician.
Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication that has been shown to be effective in promoting hair growth in some people with hair loss. Clinical studies have shown that minoxidil can increase hair count and improve hair thickness in people with androgenetic alopecia, a common type of hair loss.
The exact mechanism by which minoxidil promotes hair growth is not fully understood, but it is believed to widen blood vessels and increase blood flow to the hair follicles, which can improve the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the follicles.
In terms of efficacy, a systematic review of 12 clinical studies found that minoxidil was associated with an average increase in hair count of 19% over a 16-week period. Another study found that a 5% minoxidil solution was effective in promoting hair growth in 86% of participants, while a 2% solution was effective in 53% of participants.
It’s important to note that minoxidil may not work for everyone and results can vary. It’s also important to use minoxidil consistently and as directed to achieve the best results.
Minoxidil cream is a medication that has been shown to be effective for promoting hair growth and slowing hair loss in some people. However, like all medications, it can cause some side effects.
Common side effects of minoxidil include:
- Scalp irritation or itching
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
Oral Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication that is commonly used to treat hair loss and promote hair growth. While it is usually applied topically, there have been some studies investigating the efficacy of oral minoxidil for hair loss.
One study of oral minoxidil in people with alopecia (hair loss) found that after six months of treatment, hair growth increased in approximately 60% of the patients, with an average increase in hair count of 20%. Another study of oral minoxidil in people with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) found that after three months of treatment, hair growth improved in approximately 50% of the patients.
It is important to note that the use of oral minoxidil is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hair loss, and that further studies are needed to fully understand its safety and efficacy. Additionally, oral minoxidil can cause significant side effects, including low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, fluid retention, and liver problems.
While some studies have shown that oral minoxidil can be effective for promoting hair growth and slowing hair loss, its use is not widely accepted and more research is needed to fully understand its safety and efficacy. Additionally, its use is not recommended without the supervision of a healthcare provider, as it can cause serious side effects.
Oral minoxidil is a medication that has been used to treat hair loss and promote hair growth, but its use is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose. The use of oral minoxidil can cause significant side effects, including:
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fluid retention
- Liver problems
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
Hair Transplants
Hair transplant surgery, also known as hair restoration surgery, is a procedure that involves transplanting hair follicles from one part of the scalp to another. It is generally considered safe and effective for treating hair loss in people with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) or other forms of hair loss that affect specific areas of the scalp.
There are many ways to get a hair transplant, like follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) involves removing a strip of skin from the back of the scalp, which is where healthy hair follicles are located. The strip of skin is cut into small pieces and used as “grafts” to grow healthy hair follicles on bald areas of the scalp.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a surgical procedure involving the extraction and transplantation of healthy hair follicles. It includes removing and implanting individual hair follicles from the epidermis to transplant them to the bald area. Thus, it will make the hair appear thicker in the new scalp space.
Studies have shown that hair transplant surgery can result in significant improvement in hair density, thickness, and overall appearance. In many cases, people who undergo hair transplant surgery experience a noticeable improvement in their hair growth and appearance within several months to a year after the procedure.
It is important to note that hair transplant surgery is a highly individualized procedure, and the results can vary depending on several factors, including the skill and experience of the surgeon, the type of hair loss being treated, and the individual’s hair growth patterns.
Additionally, it is important to understand that hair transplant surgery is a long-term commitment, and multiple procedures may be necessary to achieve the desired results. Maintenance and follow-up care are also important to ensure optimal results.
However, like any surgical procedure, hair transplant surgery can cause some side effects. Common side effects include:
- Pain or discomfort at the surgical site
- Swelling or redness of the scalp
- Infection
- Scarring
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic results
So, there you have it, guys. Hair loss doesn’t have to be the end of the world. With all the options available today, and even more exciting treatments on the horizon, there’s no reason to stress about your hair. Let’s take control of this hair loss situation and get our hair back on track!