Why am I losing my hair?
This is probably the first thought that goes through the mind of most men when they first realise that something is happening to their crowning glory.
It is common to see that a lot of men go bald but not everyone knows the science behind it. Although factors such as stress and poor diet do make a difference, they are not the main culprits.
Hormones and genetics
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a male sex hormone and is the main cause of hair loss. The reason that balding occurs is due to the hair follicle’s sensitivity to DHT, which causes them to shrink, or ‘miniaturize’. Miniaturization causes your hair to grow for shorter periods as well as becoming lighter and finer. This type of hair is often referred to as ‘peach fuzz’.
The amount of DHT produced in the body varies from one individual to the next. There is a certain “trigger” level reached at puberty which switches on the hair loss gene but the exact level for each man isn’t exactly correlated with the speed of hair loss although the lower the level of DHT, the better.
The most widely used drug to treat hair loss – finasteride, is essentially a DHT inhibitor. It works by reducing the production of DHT at a systemic level and therefore halting the advancement of male pattern balding.
Other causes of hair loss
Genetic hair loss due to sensitivity to DHT is responsible for the vast majority of cases of male pattern balding but is not the only reason why men lose their hair. Other causes of hair loss include:
Traction alopecia – this often occurs as a result of wearing a ponytail or other tight hair styles such as cornrows/braiding.
Medication – There are a number of medications that can cause hair loss, especially those for blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Nutrition – It’s been shown that poor nutrition can cause hair to become weak and thin, however complete balding usually doesn’t occur.
Hair transplant techniques
Hair transplant techniques have advanced a huge amount over the last few decades. Doctors are now able to perform hair transplants in a way that offers a completely natural looking head of hair.
However, some patients are more suitable for a hair transplant than others. The ideal patient should:
Have mild to moderate hair loss – Although it’s possible to perform a hair transplant for guys with severe balding, the best results are achieved in those who have mild to moderate hair loss. This is because there is typically more donor hair and less coverage is required
Have a good amount of donor hair – A good amount of donor hair is vital for a successful hair transplant. This usually isn’t a problem since the donor hair is taken from the back and sides of the head and hair in these regions is genetically programmed to be permanent. This means that even those with severe hair loss usually have enough donor hair.
Have realistic expectations – Realistic expectations are always important when getting a hair transplant. For most men, the ideal would be to have a completely thick head of hair with no receding hairline. While this is possible for some men, it’s not always realistic, especially for those with more severe balding. A good surgeon will always explain exactly what results can be expected.
Be certain that they want a hair transplant – Getting a hair transplant is a big decision so you should be certain it’s something you want to go through with. Hair loss affects all men differently and some are able to adjust to life without hair without it severely affecting their self- confidence. For such men, a hair transplant might be more trouble than it’s worth.
Have tried treatments first – This is very important. It’s surprising how many people are still under the illusion that there are no effective treatments available for dealing with hair loss. Before considering a hair transplant you should first start a course of treatment that involved finasteride and minoxidil. This way you can assess how well treatments work for you and then make a decision as to whether a hair transplant is necessary. You should give treatments at least 6 months to see if they’re going to work for you.
Be certain that their hair loss has stabilised – All men tend to bald at different rates. Some only thin out very slightly over a number of years while other men can lose much of their hair within a few years. Before getting a hair transplant, it’s important that your hair loss has stabilised. The reason being is that although the transplanted hair is permanent, this doesn’t mean that you won’t lose any existing hair that would have started thinning anyway. This can create a patchy look that is far from desirable.