Hair loss is something that causes many people embarrassment, especially men. However, if you’re suffering from hair loss, take comfort that around 35 million other guys are also dealing with some type of hair loss or baldness in just the United States! Furthermore, by the age of thirty-five, around two-thirds of men in America will have appreciable hair loss and by age 50, around 85% of men have hair that is significantly thinning. In essence: you are not alone. But if it’s something that distresses you, take heart! There are ways to treat hair loss and baldness, from hair transplant surgery, micropigmentation, and hair restoration treatments. Let’s discuss what your options look like and what might be best for you to pursue. And should none of these be quite up your alley, hair specialists might be able to recommend ways to adjust gracefully to your hair loss.
Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
With healthy hair, a strand of hair grows for anywhere from two to six years, enters a resting phase for a few months, and then falls out. If you’re experiencing hair loss or baldness, obviously those strands are experiencing a much more rapid timeline. But how does this happen?
Interestingly (and frighteningly, for some men), half the hair will be gone before you can actually see that hair is thinning or that you’re going bald. There’s often nothing specific that doctors can confidently point to that starts the hair loss process off. For many men, androgenetic alopecia (otherwise known as male pattern baldness) is responsible for over 95% of men’s hair loss. However, other factors like hormones, certain drugs, stress, and other medical conditions can also contribute to hair loss.
What are My Options If My Hair is Thinning or I’m Going Bald?
There are plenty of creams, sprays, and medicines that swear will help restore hair, but be careful about what you buy. Many can’t live up to their claims. If you’re looking into taking medication, make sure you run it by your doctor first.
Micropigmentation is another option, whether you’re looking to fill in thinning hair or have committed to shaving your head, but want to have a permanent edge up. With micropigmentation, ink is injected into your scalp to match your natural hair color and fill it in. Shading helps give it a 3-D effect and give the appearance of natural hair.
Hair transplants are another popular option. One of the most typical methods of getting follicular units for the hair transplant is using follicular unit extraction (often abbreviated as FUE). Follicular units are groups of one to four hairs that naturally go together, though there can be as many as seven or eight in one graft. The typical procedure takes about hours, but the grafts take to your scalp in a few days. Redness will start occurring in four to five days and the healing process can depend on your skin type.
Who Can Help Me With My Hair Loss?
Seeking out a male hair loss specialist is a good idea if you’re truly worried about your hair loss. Hair loss is specific to each individual and there’s no real “one size fits all” approach to solving your thinning hair. He or she can offer a comprehensive plan, discuss different options based on your situation, and refer you to the right people.
You’ll want to look for a specialist who has experience in many different types of treatment and the necessary certifications and training to offer you the best assistance possible. Look for references, before and after photos, and see if you can get testimonials to gauge customer satisfaction.
If you feel embarrassed about your thinning hair or going bald, there are ways to remedy the situation. Talk with a hair specialist to see if micropigmentation, hair transplants, or other methods are right for you.