Hair loss is a common problem faced by men of all ages and it can completely destroy one’s self esteem. A large proportion of males agree that the thought of losing their hair absolutely terrifies them but often find it hard to open up about this. Despite the high volumes of men that develop baldness, it is still a relatively taboo subject which can lead to panic and irrational decisions that can leave you worse off than you were before. When men start thinning, they can begin feeling vulnerable, afraid, and desperate to find a solution.
The following article has been written to give you a deeper understanding of the causes of hair thinning, the treatment options available, and how to select the best hair transplant surgeons if you decide to pursue the option of a hair transplant.
Chapter Overview
Causes of Hair Loss
The majority of men experience some form of hair loss as they grow older, however the severity can differ enormously. For some, the loss is so minor that it is virtually unnoticeable and has no impact on day-to-day life. For others, hair loss is very extreme or can occur at a much younger age than normal which can be soul destroying. Male pattern baldness (MPB) is the most common cause of hair thinning and typically effects the area surrounding the temples, causing a receding hairline. With varying degrees of severity, this form of hair loss effects nearly all adult males and only a very small proportion retain a straight hairline throughout adulthood. In some cases, MPB can also affect hair on the crown of your head and cause a bald spot.
While scientists are still uncertain on which, if any, environmental factors play a role in men developing MPB, it is agreed that genetics are partly to blame. This means that specific genes inherited from your parents are responsible for causing male pattern baldness. Research has also found a link between MPB and androgens, a male sex hormone, which shows that high volumes of the hormone can impair hair follicles. More experiments need to be carried out in order to discover how all these factors work together and result in varying levels of hair loss.
Treatments
Unfortunately, there is no cure for male pattern baldness at present and while it doesn’t affect your physical health, it can wreak havoc on your mental health, self-confidence, and emotions. In these cases, men may be interested in seeking help from the various treatments available that can be used slow down the hair thinning process or simply cover it up.
Wigs – Wigs are a traditional way to cover up hair loss and have been developed over the years to create comfortable, realistic wigs. This option is less popular with men in more recent times.
Medication – There are several over the counter drugs available in the UK to help with MPB. While these types of medication cannot cure the condition, they work to simultaneously slow hair loss and encourage hair growth. The downside of using these drugs is that they need to be continually taken and results are not guaranteed for everyone.
Hair Transplant – This surgical procedure has become increasingly popular over the last decade due to significant improvements in the end results. The operation itself involves grafting hair from an area on the head where growth is more successful onto the bald or thinning spots. While this type of treatment can guarantee great results if performed by a specialist, there are a number of risks associated with the surgery.
Choosing Your Surgeon
After deciding to go down the route of a hair transplant, the next most important step in your journey is selecting a surgeon who is not only qualified but experienced in this type of procedure and can guide you through the surgery from start to finish. You should spend some time online researching a number of clinics but more importantly, the surgeons themselves. Eternal Hair & Esthetics are one of the pioneers when it comes to hair loss problems. Ideally you want your surgeon to specialise in hair transplants because it often means they have a higher level of skill, but if this is not possible then try to find out how many hair transplant surgeries a surgeon has performed and how frequently. Have a look at their social media pages and reviews to try and gain an understanding of the clinic’s reputation, paying particular attention to reviews mentioning the surgeon’s name. This is also a good opportunity to view some before and after photographs and give you a better idea of the results you could achieve.
A professional surgeon will book an initial consultation with you to discuss the plan of action, any risks you need to be aware of, and to answer any questions or queries you have regarding the surgery. There are two main types of hair transplant surgery available, FUT and FUE.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) – Also known as strip surgery, this procedure involves the removal of a piece of skin from another part of the head and splitting it under a microscope into individual follicular units. These follicles are then transplanted into the balding area.
Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) – Previously known as follicular unit extraction, the aim of this type of surgery is to remove individual follicles as opposed to a strip and transplant these into the required area.
Both types of surgery are proven to give good results when performed by an experienced specialist and your surgeon will help you decide which route to take during your consultation. As with any surgical procedure, there are a number of risks associated with a hair transplant, but you can help to minimise these by selecting a qualified, experienced surgeon.
During the final part of your consultation, your surgeon will discuss payment options. Specialists in hair transplants cost anywhere between £3,000 and £8,000 in the UK and this variation is dependent on the number of follicles being transplanted. Anything less than this price can indicate that the surgeon is not as experienced or qualified as they should be. The cheaper option in this case is definitely not the best route to take and can result in poor results in the long term. While it may seem like an expensive option, hair transplants typically last a lifetime and can boost lowered self-esteem and give you the quality of life you deserve.