Male hair loss is truly not an uncommon thing. An estimated 75 percent of all men experience hair loss in one form or another, mostly through genetic alopecia. Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss, and that's right - there's a gene for it. Even women may carry the gene, and suffer from genetic alopecia, but noticeably, these women are very few.
Hair loss among both males and females are caused by the presence of androgens, or male hormones, which we are all born with. Understandably, male hair loss is more common because males have more androgens in their system. Testosterone is an androgen, and with age it converts into dihyrotestosterone (DHT) in males. DHTs are much stronger androgens than testosterone, and they accelerate genetic conditions like hair loss much faster. Bald or balding men have been found to contain a lot more DHTs in their system than normal men; however, they exhibit no significant advantage in regular testosterone count.
There are different ways to remedy this condition... although as a whole, alopecia does not stop once it begins. While complete baldness is uncommon, hair will continue to fall out as a man with the alopecia condition continues to grow older. This is why it is necessary to take anti-hair loss medicine - such as Propecia and Rogaine, the more well-known brand names - regularly for the rest of one's life. This will slow the process of alopecia dramatically, and even promote hair growth. But they will not make the alopecia condition go away on their own.
Surgery is also an option. Advancements in medical technology have brought about significant improvements in hair surgery techniques. Microscopic follicular unit grafting is among them. Traditionally, surgeons used multi-bladed scalpels to graft patches of skin onto the pieces of scalp that most suffer from alopecia - but this sometimes produced an awkward look, because the root systems of the scalp have been damaged in the process of grafting. This awkwardness is now easily avoidable with new grafting techniques.
Head gear, like caps, hats, and bandanas - and hairpieces like toupees and wigs, have also always been an option. These are considered more economical - although they could be rather uncomfortable and hard to work with in the long run. It's up to you to decide which hair loss treatment would work out best.
So should you or anyone you know experience hair loss - it's important to bear in mind that it's not the end of the world. Coping with male hair loss doesn't mean you have to take it sitting down!
