Balding Causes and Treatments
Balding-Causes and Treatments
Many men are compelled to deal with balding at some point in their lives. Throughout the ages, balding men had been subjected to mockery primarily because our society worships beauty. Losing hair and becoming bald can be a major dilemma for those who are affected. Balding is very common among men. The condition known as male pattern baldness affected 10 percent of men in their late teens and 50 percent of men by age 50. While most men believe that their balding problem cannot be treated, this certainly isn’t true. Various treatment methods have been developed to help men stop the balding process in its tracks.
Role of Androgens
Male balding is an androgen-dependent trait. It means the condition occurs only in individuals with genetic predisposition. The likelihood of becoming bald actually runs in the family since it is a heritable condition. Balding is more common among men than women because the condition is influenced by the androgens. Balding men are more vulnerable to the activity of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is considered as the major culprit in male hair loss because as its levels increase, the risk for becoming bald also increases. DHT is produced from the circulating testosterone in the scalp through the aid of 5-alpha reductase enzyme. The role of androgens in male balding has been confirmed when clinical trials successfully treated male hair loss by blocking the enzyme.
Treatments
There had been so many attempts to treat male hair loss and prevent balding. The role of androgens in male pattern baldness shows that male pattern baldness can be successfully treated only if the problem with the hormone was addressed. For mild and less severe conditions, conservative treatments such as drugs and supplements can help while hair transplantation is reserved for severe cases. Hair transplantation is performed only when the condition cannot be reversed by natural methods such as when the hair follicles have been damaged. But then, for most cases, men should opt for more conservative treatment methods to avoid the risks.
At present, only two drugs work for male pattern baldness, finasteride and minoxidil. These drugs block the production of DHT in the scalp. Both finasteride and minoxidil stops hair loss if treatment is administered continually. If treatment is stopped, the same degree of hair loss resumes. Apparently, these drugs only momentarily freeze the balding process, but do not really treat hair loss. Also, individuals who opt for drugs are posing themselves the adverse effects of these drugs especially that it should be used for a long time. This goes to show that drugs are not really the best approach towards balding.
Supplementation is an all-natural approach to male hair loss. Supplements target several fronts in addressing the hair problem. Supplements combine various natural components to block DHT and stop hair loss in its tracks. The DHT blocking components are normally obtained from herb extracts such as saw palmetto and stinging nettle, which are known for their natural ability to block DHT. Supplements also contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for hair growth. These vitamins and minerals provide a healthy environment for hair to regrow by increasing the circulation in the scalp and protecting the hair follicles.
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