Looking for a Cure for Pattern Baldness? Read This First! Are you losing hair? Is your hairline starting to recede? Are you worried that you might go bald? If so, you could be suffering from a condition called androgenic alopecia, which is more commonly known as male pattern baldness. Studies show that pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. While it also tends to affect women, men are the primary victims and are disproportionately affected by the problem – so much so that the condition accounts for over 95% of hair loss in men. What causes pattern baldness and how do you treat it? Let us take a detailed look. Causes of Androgenic Alopecia Pattern baldness is primarily caused by DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is a byproduct of the hormone testosterone. It causes your hair follicles to shrink, as a result of which they start to produce much shorter, finer strands of hair. These hair strands tend to be weaker than normal, healthy hair strands and also have a much shorter lifespan. Once the growth cycle of these weaker hair strands ends, new hair strands do not grow in their place, which eventually leads to baldness. The problem usually starts at your hairline. Gradually, your hairline recedes, usually in the shape of the letter M. As the condition progresses, the top of your scalp also goes bald. In most cases, what is only left behind is a U-shaped or horseshoe pattern of hair, with a large bald spot in the middle. In some severe cases, even the small amount of hair on the sides also gets affected by DHT, which results in total baldness. Genetics also plays a key role in the onset of pattern baldness. If someone in your immediate family is affected by alopecia, you are most likely predisposed to it as well. Treatment Options for Androgenic Alopecia Medications Two of the common medications used to treat pattern baldness are Minoxidil (commonly known as Rogaine) and Finasteride (commonly known as Propecia and Proscar). Rogaine is a topical application which stimulates hair growth whereas Propecia is a prescription medication which prevents hair loss by inhibiting the enzyme which is responsible for the production of DHT. PRP Therapy PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy involves the use of concentrated plasma to treat hair loss. In this method, a small amount of blood is drawn from your body and centrifuged to separate the plasma matter, which contains platelets and growth factors, from the rest. When injected into the scalp, the growth factors present in the concentrate stimulate hair growth.
Hair Transplant This is by far the most effective solution for male pattern baldness. In this method, hair from one part of the scalp is transplanted onto the bald spot. Hair transplant is generally done using two methods – FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). In FUT, a strip of tissue from your head is removed with hair follicles still intact. The follicles are then dissected and planted onto the bald spots. In FUE, the follicles are taken from the scalp directly without removing the scalp tissue and transplanted onto the bald spots. FUE – The Best Solution for Hair Loss FUE is generally considered the best method for transplantation due to a number of reasons. It only involves the removal of individual hair follicles, without cutting or removing the scalp tissue. So, there is no bleeding or pain and sutures and staples are not required. The recovery time is also much shorter when compared to FUT. Also, it does not leave a linear scar in the donor site as in the case of FUT. FUE – What to Expect Before and After the Procedure Prior to the transplantation, the bald portion of your scalp is cleaned and numbed with an anesthetic. Tiny slits are made using a scalpel or needle, into which the grafted follicles are placed. The procedure can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. After the procedure, the doctor may advise you to sleep in a semi-seated position or with your head elevated on pillows to get rid of the swelling in the transplanted area faster. You may be asked to wash your hair the next day and meet the doctor again for an evaluation. For the first couple of weeks, you have to be gentle with your hair while shampooing, drying, and combing it. The post-op instructions may differ in certain cases, depending on the person’s case history, scalp condition, and overall health condition. Hair begins to grow in the transplanted area about 10 weeks from the surgery and is fully grown in a year. FUE at Athena Hair Now Athena Hair Now, located in Chandigarh, has emerged as the best hair transplant clinic that specializes in FUE in the country today. Established by Dr. Harmandeep Sidhu, an expert cosmetic surgeon and skincare specialist, the clinic is frequented not just by locals, but also people from other cities and countries as well. With the latest medical equipment, kind and courteous support staff, and an eminently qualified dermatologist, Athena Hair Now is your best choice for hair transplants.