Hereditary hair loss is also known as androgenic alopecia and inherited from one or both parents, or their siblings. Generally, any family members who has experienced hair loss. Male pattern baldness (MPB) is a progressive form of hair loss. There are many ways to treat this hair loss condition. Depending on the pattern or stage. Multiple-therapy to treat Male Pattern Baldness is often best. This article explores multiple-therapy to treat male pattern baldness.
Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern hair baldness is due to the affects of dihydrotestosterone – DHT. (DHT) effects the hair follicles. DHT causes increased shedding of the hair, including gradual miniaturisation or the thinning of the hair shaft. Resulting in eventual hair loss.
During a hair assessment aspects such as the hair loss stage need to be addressed. Often measured against the Norwood scale (NW) as male pattern baldness is categorised in stages of severity. From mild hairline or crown thinning to advanced hair loss patterns across the top of the scalp. Ultimately leaving only a band of hair around the back and sides of the head.
The ultimate pattern can be slow to form as well as unpredictable. Often starting in the early twenties and continuing for 30 to forty years at varying speeds and patterns. As a result, during the consultation these factors must be considered versus expectations. What are the objectives, in terms of maintaining hair growth, maybe reducing hair shedding or increasing hair coverage.
Multiple-Therapy Approach
Often the best option to deal with hair restoration is to consider a multiple-therapy approach. Especially to treat male pattern baldness as there is no actual cure. But, also many other hair loss conditions. The treatment may consist of surgical hair restoration and medication or therapy. Possibly also an aesthetic option such as Scalp Micro Pigmentation.
It´s essential to understand all options when researching. For instance, surgical hair replacement without adjunctive medical therapy may not be adequate to achieve the best result. As hair loss is often unstable until a later age, the final hair growth pattern can be hard to predict. Especially true when a hair transplant is considered at a younger age and low NW stage. Adopting a multi-therapy approach has many benefits. For instance, tackling ongoing hair loss, while at the same time, restoring areas of hair loss. Consequently, a fuller, stronger and potentially stable head of hair growth is achieved.
Chasing hair loss
Another advantage of a multiple-therapy when treating male pattern baldness is it helps long-term planning. For example, when surgically treating minor hair loss, such as hairline and temple recession, without using a treatment has risks attached. A hair transplant takes around one year to fully mature. However, during this time frame, hair loss is likely to still be progressing, even if slowly. Subsequently over time gaps or thinning areas appear between the transplanted hair and the existing hair. Without the use of a treatment, the area of hair loss will increase. Overall resulting in many more hairs required in a small area. Chasing hair loss is counterproductive. As well as time-consuming and unnecessary. Therefore, multiple-therapy to treat Male Pattern Baldness has a big part to play in the best long-term result.
How can you stop hair loss?
There are only three FDA approved therapies for the treatment of hair loss. A surgical hair transplant will not stop hair loss. As a result, if hair loss is active it would make sense to make this the priority. A good start is to find a hair loss specialist you trust. Have a hair check. This can diagnose your hair loss cause and present hair loss pattern. Help with advice on future hair loss and the current hair loss treatments. As well as start to build a plan for your hair restoration.
The results from any hair loss treatment are only as apparent for as long as the hair loss treatment is used. Even with the developments in treatment available today there is still no cure. Although hair loss therapies such as Minoxidil, Finasteride and Laser Therapy can help to stabilise hair loss. In some cases thicken and strengthen the existing hair. They only manage to sustain improved hair growth through constant use. With any treatment, it can take a month or longer to show signs of improvement. In some instances, this is preceded by an increase in hair shedding. This is temporary and quite common. Over time the treatment can be reduced in dosage. Many find they can manage the benefits while reducing the usage if done slowly.
Surgical hair restoration
For the right candidate, surgical hair restoration or a hair transplant procedure can be a good option. If the plan is to restore areas of hair loss caused by male pattern baldness. The advantage to a hair transplant is it’s considered permanent. As genetically healthy hair is used from around the sides and back of the head. This hair retains its original genetic properties and is not affected by the male pattern baldness gene. So even when moved the hair will continue to grow quite naturally.
A hair transplant is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedative and local anaesthetic. Regardless of the technique the quality and healing around the donor area will rely on two factors, being the quality and skill of the Doctor and the natural skin healing properties. There are two recognised techniques today, that only fundamentally differ in the method the hair is extracted.
The FUT technique has been the longer established method of removing the grafts in one strip. The FUE technique is newer with each follicular unit removed one by one. Body Hair has become a credible technique in recent years. Using the FUE technique to first extract the hair. Either technique requires skill and planning to reach the highest standards. Taking into consideration medical and aesthetic factors such as age, health, natural hair characteristic qualities, and hair pattern. Research and care need to be taken when considering any surgical option. Do not assume all clinics are alike as standards and protocols often vary. As well as who is performing the surgical procedure, for instance, a registered doctor or non-medically qualified staff.
A newer non-surgical option
With hair characteristics being an important factor for a successful hair transplant, sadly, not everyone has the required qualities and is not a good surgical hair restoration candidate. However, there is a credible solution if the case. The SMP non-surgical technique, Scalp micro pigmentation places pinpoint medical-grade pigments into the skin. This is to mimic the look of hair stubble. The pigment is built up over a number of sessions to blend with the surrounding native hair. SMP is not permanent and the inks will fade over time. With some applications, the ink can fade close to a year after. With others, the ink can be sustained for 2-3 years before needing more sessions.
The first step to your hair restoration
Hair transplant candidates often prefer not to consider combining medical therapies with surgery. As the concept of a hair transplant being permanent sounds appealing. However permanent a hair transplant is, hair loss may continue. Helping to prevent or greatly reduces the risk of further hair loss will enhance the quality of the remaining hair. In turn, greatly reducing the chance of requiring further hair transplants.
After a medical evaluation and consultation, a qualified hair restoration surgeon will determine the treatment plan most suitable for you. It must be safe, and realistic and accomplish appropriate hair restoration objectives. This is why Hair Restoration Europe stress the Multi-Therapy Approach: surgical procedures and adjunctive medical therapy and/or technology.