Hair Loss

What is it?

The most common type of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness, where the thinning of the hair follows a characteristic pattern.

Do I have it?

If you have noticed a significant thinning of the hair that is following the characteristic pattern, it is likely that you have male pattern baldness.

How do I treat it?

There is no cure for male pattern baldness, but prescription treatments like Propecia can halt the process and even promote hair regrowth.

Buy Propecia to treat Hair Loss

What is hair loss?

Hair loss is also known as male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. It is a hereditary condition that follows a characteristic pattern of hair loss, hence the term “male pattern baldness”. Firstly, the hair begins to thin at the crown of the head, and then at the temples. Without treatment, this continues until there is a horseshoe shape left on the sides of the head, while the crown is completely bald.

Hair loss can also be caused by other factors, including illness, or the medication that is used to treat a certain illness. For example, thyroid disease, high fever, protein deficiency, iron deficiency and cancer treatments can all cause hair loss.

What causes hair loss?

The most common kind of hair loss occurs in men who are sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a by-product of the hormone testosterone. DHT can cause the hair follicles to shrink so much that they can no longer allow new hair through to grow. This does not mean the hair follicles have died or disappeared; they are simply rendered incapable of growing new hair.

This sensitivity to DHT is hereditary, and contrary to popular belief it can be inherited from both the maternal and paternal side.

What hair loss treatments are available?

In terms of treatments, there are three main options for male hair loss sufferers. Over the counter treatments are often a popular choice because they are generally considered to be the cheapest option. There are many varieties of over the counter treatments for hair loss, usually in the form of lotions or creams that need to be applied regularly. Though many of these treatments claim to be able to restore full hair growth, there is usually a lack of clinical proof for such claims.

An exception to this rule is Regaine, which uses the active ingredient Minoxidil. Regaine is a lotion which is applied twice a day to the scalp. The effects of the treatment are usually seen within several months.

Some men choose a surgical option, particularly if they prefer a more immediate solution. However, such procedures can be very expensive, as well as sometimes painful and invasive. There are three types of surgical procedures, the first of which is a transplant. A hair transplant requires moving hair from one area (the ‘donor site’) of the head to another. Scalp reduction and flap surgery are two alternatives to this, and they involve stretching areas of healthy scalp and hair to cover smaller bald patches.

There is only one medication approved to treat hair loss on prescription, and that is Propecia. This was the first medication to be approved by the FDA as a treatment for hair loss. It uses finasteride as its active ingredient to target DHT, which is the cause of male pattern baldness. Many men choose Propecia because it has a high success rate, as well as being very safe and easy to use.

Where can I buy hair loss treatments?

if you think you are suffering from male pattern baldness, you may wish to consult with a doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you. This can be done online, as part of a medical consultation which most online clinics offer as a free service.