Many men believe that hair loss is one of the most demeaning and appalling things that can occur in their lives even though, for many, it is inevitable. Almost two out of three men will begin losing their hair by the age of 60. Still, they spend countless hours and thousands of dollars trying to stop it, slow it down, or at the very least, cover it up so it is not noticeable to the naked eye.
It can be a devastating blow to a man’s self-esteem and confidence because they think that a loss of hair means a loss of virility. It makes sense that they would go to such lengths to avoid it. What many men don’t realize is that there are non-surgical hair systems for men available that can help them avoid the inevitable without invasive surgery.
The Main Causes of Hair Loss
Before you attempt to decide which hair replacement system is right for you, you must first understand what causes you to lose your hair. It could be hereditary or it could be something that a lifestyle change could correct. Once you find out exactly what is causing your individual hair loss, you will be better prepared to find the best answer to your problem.
Here are the most common causes of male hair loss:
- Genetics –In most cases, genetics is the cause of male pattern baldness. It is hereditary, but not necessarily passed down from the mother’s side as many believe. Research shows that, if you have a father who is bald, you are more likely to develop male pattern baldness than you are if you do not (even though the hereditary factor is a bit more dominant on the mother’s side).
- Vitamin Deficiency – Vitamins B12, Biotin, and other B-complex vitamins are essential to healthy and normal hair growth. If there is a deficiency in your body of these vitamins, it may cause you to lose your hair and a vitamin supplement is needed to restore the proper balance.
- Scalp infection – Some infections like Ringworm, Piedra, and Folliculitis have been known to cause hair loss, but it’s usually patchy.
- The wrong medication – Sometimes loss of hair can be explained by examining your medication intake. Drugs that are used to treat Cancer, heart problems, high blood pressure, arthritis, and depression have side effects that can cause you to lose your hair.
- Physical or emotional shock – This can cause accelerated hair loss, but you do not lose hair that you weren’t going to lose regardless. Physical or emotional shock only makes it happen faster. If you were not meant to lose that hair, it will grow back afterwards.
If you have excessive or patchy hair loss and you are unsure of the cause; you should consult your physician. They will research your medical history and give you a full exam to determine whether a serious health condition causes it. This exam may include blood tests, skin biopsy, and other relevant tests.
Non-surgical Hair Replacement Systems for Men
Since hair loss is so common; there are a wide range of treatments available and some of them require painful and expensive surgery. Some men may not be suitable candidates for surgery while others are not willing to go through such an expensive and painful treatment. Luckily, there are some non-surgical hair replacement systems available that have been known to work. Determining which hair replacement system is right for you depends on several factors like age, budget, and amount of hair loss.
Propecia – Also known as Finasteride; Propecia is a medication that is taken orally. It stimulates the way the hair follicles on the scalp respond to androgenic hormones. This treatment is only available by prescription.
Rogaine – Also known as Minoxidill; Rogaine is usually applied to the scalp at about 2 to 5% solution. Minoxidill is available over the counter at the 2% solution level, but it is best to enter a treatment program where it is supervised by a physician who specializes in hair loss. Rogaine has been known to work, but it is more effective in women than it is in men.
Xtrands – This is a fairly new hair loss treatment that is exclusive to Hair Club. It is a volumizing solution that promotes thicker hair by using your existing hair and adding multiple strands at scalp level. The “host” hairs are carefully selected in areas where there is hair loss and existing hair is sectioned off. An application wand is used to lock in up to 4 new hair strands at the base of each host hair. When the hair is shampooed; the new hairs are separated into multiple hairs and styled to the specifications of your scalp.
SensiGraft – Developed by Transitions International; SensiGraft uses a skin-like membrane that is grafted to the layers of skin on the scalp without using surgery. It provides a seamless transition between the reconstructed hair and the existing hair. It is not necessary for this treatment to be applied by a physician, but it must be performed by an individual who has been certified by Transitions international.
Hairpieces / Extensions – There are varying degrees of hairpieces and extensions and you get what you pay for as far as how natural it looks and how well it matches your real hair. Some are available at a cheap price, but cutting costs is not recommended when dealing with hairpieces and extensions because you could end up looking worse than you did before.
No matter what hair replacement system you decide on; results are not going to come cheap if you want a treatment that is not noticeable. You can always cut your losses, so to speak, and shave it all off, but only select men will appreciate this tactic and many see it as a last resort. Treatment for hair loss is not to be taken lightly and you should always make the effort to rule out a medical condition before you commit to an expensive treatment.
