Treating Male Hair Loss

Caused by vulnerability to androgens—male sex hormones—in parts of the scalp, male hair loss is most times hereditary. Affecting millions of men, especially those nearing middle age, hair loss has men looking for ways to retard their hair loss, or find remedies for hair regrowth and restoration. Some options for men wanting to correct hair loss are oral medication, topical treatments, hair transplants, and hair pieces and weaves.

• Oral medication. Always consult with your doctor to determine the correct oral medication for you concerning hair loss. Discuss side effects and ask questions. Studies have proven that certain oral medication may stop hair loss, and promote regrowth in 80% of patients after three to six months of use. Take prescriptions as directed for optimal results.
• Topical treatments. Upon advice from your doctor, determine if topical treatment for hair loss is right for you. Carefully read package inserts before you use the product, and follow all of the directions. Follow the suggested schedule of treatment, as some products require that you apply them twice daily, and they do not usually recommend that you make up a missed treatment. Make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after using the product, and some products supply plastic gloves for use with the product. Always allow topical treatments to completely dry before you style your hair.
• Hair transplants. Involving a process that removes micro plugs of hair from an area of the scalp that still produces hair, hair transplants are a viable option for hair restoration. The plugs are most commonly removed from the nape of the neck at the hairline. Hair transplant results are permanent and, since your own hair is used, the look is completely natural. There is a risk of infection with transplants, so make sure to follow after care instructions.
• Hair weaves and pieces. Consult with your hair stylist and discuss hair piece and weave options. Depending upon how much money you want to invest, hair pieces can be made of real or synthetic hair. Ask for customer recommendations, and determine if they are satisfied with their hair pieces. A good hair piece should be fitted and blend with your existing hair. Since some hair weaves can be surgically attached to the scalp, meticulous cleaning of the scalp should be followed to ensure against damage and infection.

Whichever option you choose, make sure that it fits your lifestyle. If you find little success with one, try another. When using topical treatments and oral medication, you may experience more hair loss at first, with regrowth occurring a few weeks later. If you decide upon a hair piece, you need to know that it will eventually lose its natural look over time, and will need to be replaced. And as your hair color changes, your hair weave or piece needs to change, as well.