Male Pattern Baldness FAQs
Most men who suffer hair loss through non-medical causes have hereditary male pattern baldness.
What happens in male pattern baldness?
Hair follicle cells on the back and sides of the head regenerate slowly, while those on the crown regenerate quickly. Excess male hormones make fast-growing cells grow too quickly, exhausting their ability to regenerate.
What can I do about it?
Avoid dodgy claims of miracle products — if they worked, no one would be bald! Medicines such as Minoxidil can slow balding, but hair loss returns when use of this drug is stopped.
What about surgery?
It is very expensive, and can only be done when the balding process is complete. In the new “hair by hair” implantation technique, strips of skin from the back of the head are sewn onto the bald area. Hair follicle cells are implanted and grow normally, covering up the scars.
Is custom-made hair replacement the best solution?
Surgery is still the ideal solution, because after the implant, the hair re-grows normally. It is the client’s own hair, just taken from a different area on the head, However, the cost can be prohibitive, and the procedure may not be possible on large areas of baldness. Custom-made hair replacement is effective, painless and much cheaper.
How does custom-made hair replacement work?
Strands of hair (real or synthetic) are tied to a very fine, micro-transparent skin base. This naturally moulds to the contour of bald patches, and is adjustable to fit exactly. It is fixed in place with adhesive tape or gel, according to your lifestyle (whether you wear hats, swim, play sports, etc).
For extensive or total hair loss, as in some cancer or alopecia cases, a full head hair replacement is recommended.
See our Custom-made and Ready to Wear hair replacement pages for examples of hair pieces and full head hair replacements.
Did you know?
- By age 35, two thirds of men will experience a degree of hair loss.
- By 50, about 85% of men have significantly thinning hair.
- About 25% of men with male pattern baldness start losing hair before age 21.
