Men's Hair Replacement

Male pattern baldness is responsible for over 95 percent of hair loss in men, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Approximately 25 percent of men start noticing hair loss before age 21, and over 60 percent of men notice some hair loss by age 35. Hair loss affects self-esteem, careers and personal relationships, prompting more and more men to investigate the options available for hair regrowth, restoration or replacement.

Hair Loss Causes

• Hair loss can occur due to medical conditions or as a side effect of medications, but most commonly occurs due to androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness (MPB.) MBP is a hereditary condition that causes hair follicles to develop sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When this sensitivity develops, hair follicles start to miniaturize, which shortens the lifespan of affected follicles. Follicles affected by DHT eventually stop producing hair, resulting in baldness. Luckily, several drugs have been developed that can slow or stop this process if treatment is begun in the early stages of hair loss.

Finasteride

• Finasteride, sold as Propecia and Proscar, was a drug originally designed to treat prostate gland enlargement, but researchers discovered that the drug also caused hair growth. Finasteride works by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductace, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. Finasteride is taken orally and works by lowering DHT levels, which often results in stopping further hair loss. The American Hair Loss Association recommends this drug to all men concerned about hair loss due to male pattern baldness.

Minoxidil

• Minoxidil, sold as Rogaine, was the first FDA-approved hair-loss drug. Minoxidil was originally approved as a high-blood-pressure medication, but it also caused hair to grow. Topical monoxidil was developed to take advantage of this side effect. Minoxidil can slow the progression of hair loss and cause some regrowth, but researchers found that results may be temporary because the drug does not affect DHT and the underlying hormonal problem. Minoxidil is recommended for men who have not had success with Finasteride, or who want to try more than one treatment method.

Hair Transplants

• Hair-transplant surgery uses your own healthy follicles and transplants them to areas where follicles have died. A section of skin containing hair follicles is taken from the sides or back of the head where hair is still growing. Tiny slits are made in your scalp and the donor grafts are implanted into the balding areas. The number of sessions needed to cover your bald spot will vary depending on the size of the area. Hair will usually be transplanted to the top and front of your head first, because those areas are more noticeable. Transplants may not be appropriate for men with very large bald spots.

Replacement

• Hairpieces, also called wigs or toupees, provide an easy, temporary way to replace hair. Hairpieces with mesh bases are made using nylon or polyester and are very natural in appearance, but may not be as durable as hairpieces made with a polymer base. Polymer hairpieces are made with polyurethane or silicone bases, and are more durable and less expensive. Polymer hairpieces can be hot and don't look quite as natural as mesh hairpieces. Hairpieces are constructed using animal, human or artificial hair. The more expensive hairpieces use European hair that is dyed to match your hair color. Cheaper hairpieces are typically made using hair from Asia that has been bleached or dyed to look like your remaining hair. The coloring processes used on Asian hair can make it dry or brittle, causing broken or fuzzy-looking hair.