About Hair Loss: Causes of thinning and balding

Some men gradually lose their hair over the front, top, and crown of their head, but most men still do not understand the root cause of hair loss. This is a natural phenomenon called "Male Pattern Baldness." The hair follicles in these areas react negatively to the hormone testosterone, resulting in gradual hair loss. The hair on the sides and lower back of the head is genetically programmed not to be affected and does not fall out. Because of this genetic programming, this hair can be permanently transplanted to thinning and balding areas. This donor hair will not fall out and can be cut, combed, and styled just as the hair it has replaced. It will continue to grow for the rest of your life and will not be affected by any hormone changes.

Treatment Options

Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation is the simple in-office procedure of removing hair from the donor area (the back or sides of the head) and inserting this hair into the thinning and balding area.  Hair from the donor area is genetically programmed to grow for the rest of one’s life. As a hair restoration option, hair transplantation is the only natural and permanent solution that restores a hairline and adds density to the thinning area.  For these reasons, it’s the ultimate solution to the main cause of hair loss.

Hair Systems

Hair systems have become more sophisticated in design with the integration of more natural looking hair into almost undetectable base material. They are now more comfortable and durable for use by active and athletic people. This is the perfect solution for people who can not have hair transplants due to medical or other restrictions. For more information about the latest non-medical hair systems and hair integration processes, e-mail us or call Roberta Bukowski, Nu/Hart Styling Director at 1-800-833-1964.

Rogaine

Rogaine or Minoxidil is the first medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that has been proven to grow hair. It is also available in a stronger 5% solution for men who found the 2% solution not to be effective. Most men with male pattern baldness are concerned with their frontal hairline. UpJohn and Pharmacia admit that Rogaine has little or no effect in this critical area. The greater benefit of Rogaine and Propecia is the slowing down of hair loss.

Propecia

The FDA gave approval in 1998 to the Merck Company to market the first pill to fight thinning and balding called PropeciaTM (Finasteride). Propecia is really a smaller dosage of Proscar, a prostate enlargement medication. It has demonstrated some ability to slow hair thinning and promotes hair growth in some men. It cannot completely restore hairlines and is more effective in the crown and vortex areas.

Laser Hair Therapy

Based on the scientific principal of photo-biotherapy, Laser Hair Therapy is a process whereby stimulation of the scalp through Low Level or “cold” lasers, increases blood flow and blocks the harmful hair loss effects of Dihydrotestoterone, also known as DHT. This photo-biotherapy occurs when laser light is absorbed by cells, which causes stimulation of cell metabolism and improved blood flow.  Laser Hair Therapy is not a viable treatment for significant hair loss and does not redesign a front hairline, nor does it re-grow hair.