Having experienced male baldness and having been successful at holding it at bay for an extended period of time now I can sympathize with any man who is concerned about keeping his remaining hair. At least for me the onset of male baldness was a shock followed by a series of unsuccessful attempts to halt its progression. But ultimately I found the answers I was looking for through a combination of experimentation and knowledge. In this article titled “Honest Answers About Male Baldness” we will explore male baldness and then provide a few solutions that just might prove helpful in slowing and possibly reversing this common condition.

Chances are very good that the cause of your male baldness is androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness. Androgenetic alopecia has a very predictable and distinctive pattern with hair loss beginning at the forehead or around the temples with balding concentrated on the top of the head. This condition always includes a receding hair line. Some men only lose some hair on top with a bald spot becoming noticeable around the crown. Others, especially men whose male pattern baldness started early in life and has been allowed to continue unchecked will lose all the hair on top while retaining hair on the sides and back of the scalp. The advanced stages form a well defined M pattern.

The cause of this type of male baldness is a combination of heredity (from either side of the family) and the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Over time DHT builds up in the follicle complex causing follicles to shrink. As follicles shrink blood flow is reduced thus limiting the nutrients available to nourish hair growth and re-growth. The most disturbing part is that this condition is progressive and unless action is taken severe hair loss is inevitable.

To prevent the male baldness from progressing any further two things must happen; DHT levels must be reduced and damaged follicles must reinvigorated. There are currently only two FDA approved pharmaceutical products formulated to interrupt the conversion of testosterone to DHT; minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is available without a prescription and is considered to pretty much side effect free while finasteride is available by prescription only and does have a number of label warnings.

There are also a couple of herbal options; saw palmetto (FDA approved) and nettle root. Both herbs work in a similar fashion to that of finasteride and are considered to be herbal DHT inhibitors. They are generally considered to be side effects free but do seem to pose a problem if taken in conjunction with blood thinning medications.

What  Else? There are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for male baldness) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated products can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before male baldness becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field of natural health and wellness.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/honest-answers-about-male-baldness-1474134.html

From the researches that have been made, there are some procedures which involve hair relocation. It is the drafting of the hair as a form of hair replacement. It involves surgical hairpiece attachment and with this one, there exists an artificial hairpiece or what we call as the hair itself. And then these are being attached or implanted into the scalp of the patient thru an operation which is highly costly and then studied, researched as well as timely decided.

The second thing would then be the process of knotting a synthetic hair. There is a strand of artificial hair which is being sewn into the scalp of the patient. But there is one thing that we must always bear in mind. And that is the fact that the former has already run over the latter. The reason behind this is that the latter has been outlawed and is considered as prohibited in some places. These places would then be with the inclusion of the United States of America as well as some other states. The reasons behind this is still vague and as a matter of fact, some say that government officials in said places were then so worried. Their worries compose of the fact that most of the people or citizens in said places were forms of aesthetics. There is also a good side of which, and that is the fact that it is free from bandage. In other words, there is no fear for surgical scars or any similar one.

Cherry Bonachita offers hair replacement methods for baldness.
Know the extent of your hair loss and find appropriate solutions here.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/hair-replacement-procedure-1456191.html

Ever wonder what causes male pattern baldness also known as androgenetic alopecia? Well so did I, because I was getting it. I did some research and was amazed at what I found. First of all, it starts at the crown. It also may start at the temples of your hairline. These two areas start to thin the hair with both advancing on each other. Then before you know it, they meet and your bald on the top of your scalp, with hair remaining on the sides.

Why Do Men Lose Hair? The loss of hair in men has been studied for years. It was not till the late 20th century that scientists were able to put the blame of male pattern baldness on DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is created by testosterone combining with the enzyme Type II 5-alpha-reductace. DHT then circulates through the blood stream to the scalp.

Here it attaches to the hair follicle stopping nutrients from being absorbed by the follicle and the hair strand. Eventually the hair falls out and the follicle shrinks and dies.

So why does not hair fall off the side of the scalp in male pattern baldness? The reasons are not clear, but it is believed that the follicle receptors on the sides of the head are not as receptive to DHT as those on top of the scalp.

So what can be done top stop male pattern baldness? Minoxidil was used to treat high blood pressure when taken internally. In the 70′s, it was found that if rubbed on a bald spot, hair would grow. A 5% solution is used for men and 2% solution used for women. Some side effects of Minoxidil are irritation of the eye, some irritation of the treated area and possibly some unwanted hair growth on the body.

The FDA approved Propecia, the other chemical that is used for treating male pattern baldness, in 1997.

Side effects in men include rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the lips and face. Woman should not use it because it may cause birth defects.

Both these chemicals will not work if the follicles are dead. Therefore, they are most effective when used at the on set of male pattern baldness. You will have lost few follicles at this point, so you will be able to grow your hair back easier. If you have bald spots chances are good both chemicals will probably not work.

Dealing with male pattern baldness is a bridge that virtually all men will have to cross (and some women) at some point in their lives. One out of four men start losing their hair due to male pattern baldness before the age of 30 another 65 percent by the age of 60. So if you fall into that select five percent that are not impacted you should feel fortunate. 

Dealing with male pattern baldness effectively includes gaining a better understanding of this condition. Probably the most overlooked fact concerning male pattern baldness is that it generally takes from 5 to 10 years to produce the amount of hair loss necessary to produce noticeable balding. 

This phenomenon has to do with both genetic predisposition to hair loss, the androgen hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the damage ultimately done to the all important hair follicles. It goes something like this, for those susceptible (most men and some women) testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone in the hair cell which then binds with receptors deep within the hair follicle. Over several hair cycles (a hair cycle lasts from 4 to 6 years) an excess accumulation of DHT in the follicle causes it to start to shrink thus reducing nutrient rich blood flow. Some follicles will eventually die while others will be stripped of their ability to produce new healthy hair growth. 

Now that we know what causes male pattern baldness we are armed with the information needed to make the best decisions for dealing with male pattern baldness. 

To reverse or halt this condition we must be able to do two things; block or restrict DHT and keep existing follicles from shrinking. The product that currently does the best job of this is minoxidil. While it is not know exactly how it works or whether it interferes with DHT what we do know is that minoxidil enlarges follicles, prolongs the growth phase, and stimulates dormant hairs to grow. It is especially effective in protecting existing hair but only moderately effective when new growth is the goal. So likely if you are looking for the best way of dealing with male pattern baldness minoxidil should be on your short list of solutions. 

What Next? There are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for dealing with male pattern baldness) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated products can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.  

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field of natural health and wellness.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/helpful-suggestions-for-dealing-with-male-pattern-baldness-1443334.html

It seems as if the number of men and women experiencing baldness is on the rise. So it comes as no surprise that finding a cure for baldness is one of the primary goals of current research endeavors. While there are products that can slow and possibly reverse the balding process such as finasteride and minoxidil there is yet a cure for baldness. 

The closest thing to a cure for baldness is hair transplant surgery. While expensive, sometimes painful, and often requiring multiple surgeries it can produce good results. That said, although transplanting hair can reduce thinning, and add cover to bald areas, it does not restore the original thickness or fullness of the hair. Another drawback is that if hair transplant surgery is performed before the balding process has stopped the result can be an unnatural unusual pattern on the scalp requiring multiple additional surgeries to correct. So while hair transplant surgery may be the closest thing to a cure for baldness it is not without its drawbacks. 

So the question begs to be asked if hair transplant surgery isn’t recommended until balding and thinning has stopped what should I do in the meantime? This is certainly a quandary of sorts. It is like being lost in the no man’s land of hair restoration. 

While you may not be able to cure baldness there are steps you can and should take to keep your hair and scalp healthy while possibly re-growing new hair. It is important to realize that the vast majority of cases of hair loss are follicle related. In other words the small sac like pouch from which the hair shaft emerges is either damaged or starts to shrink. The dreaded shrinking follicle cuts off circulation to the hair cell complex causing hair to thin, become unhealthy, reduce the hair growth cycle, and eventually fall out. At some point the follicle will shrink so dramatically that hair growth will no longer be possible without some type of intervention. At this point balding will start to become obvious and much more difficult to reverse. 

The most often mentioned product as a cure for baldness and follicle regeneration is the hair stimulant minoxidil (Rogaine, Loniten). It is applied to the scalp twice daily to stimulate hair growth. When hair growth is achieved it is usually noticed about 90 days after the first application with the benefits continuing as long as the drug is used. 

While minoxidil is not considered a cure for baldness it does do an excellent job in protecting existing hair from certain androgen hormones and keeping follicles open. In fact it’s success rate is thought to be somewhere in the 90 percent range. As far as new hair growth the numbers aren’t very impressive with only about 30 percent of men and women reporting hair re-growth. 

What Next? There are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for both men and women) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated products can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field of natural health and wellness.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/is-there-a-reliable-affordable-cure-for-baldness-1443340.html

Men of all nationalities are affected by male pattern baldness. Approximately 25% show signs of hair loss by the age of 30, increasing to two-thirds by the age of 60. The cause is usually a genetic oversensitivity to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair loss in men is characterised by the ‘receding hairline’ – where hair recedes from the lateral sides of the forehead.

There are only two hair loss treatments that have been clinically proven to stop hair loss and promote re-growth. These are Minoxidil and Propecia.

Propecia is only available to men over the age of 18. The active ingredient in Propecia, Finasteride, was first approved for use in 1992 to treat prostate enlargement. Users noticed an increase in hair growth after taking the drug. There have since been two clinical studies by Merck Pharmaceuticals on the effects of Propecia , a 2 year study and a 5 year study.

In the 2 year study, of the 535 men taking Propecia, 99% had visible results: 66% had visible re-growth and 33% had no further hair loss.

In the 5 year study, of the 279 men taking Propecia, 90% had visible results: 48% has visible re-growth and 42% suffered no further hair loss. Propecia works by reducing DHT levels in the scalp and thereby appears to inhibit the shrinking action of hair follicles. Once the shrinking action is controlled, the hair starts to re-grow.

As with all medications, there are some side effects. A small number of men experienced minor sexual side effects: less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection and a decrease in the amount of semen. These are uncommon, occurring in less than 2% of men. All side effects went away either a short time after commencing treatment or when treatment was stopped. For those considering taking Propecia, it is recommended to get guidance from a medical professional.

Although the cause for baldness in men is nearly always DHT, it can affect men differently. Medical experts with experience of treating male pattern baldness have found that combining Propecia with Minoxidil enhances the treatment, producing faster results. There are also hair growth boosters that can supplement these medications by creating a treatment programme tailored for the individual.

If you have been doing research trying to find an effective baldness treatment I’m sure your head is spinning due to the crosscurrents of information. Part of the reason for the differing opinions, especially when it comes to testimonials, is that no product works 100% of the time. Let’s look at some facts concerning the so called most effective baldness treatment minoxidil (Rogaine, Loniten). 

Minoxidil is approved by the FDA for hair loss and when applied topically it can both protect existing hair and promote new hair growth. So far so good, right? It is available without a prescription and has the ability to slow hair loss in nine out of ten users. Even better! Studies indicate it helps re-grow hair in 20 to 40 percent of the time but is less effective in older adults. It takes approximately 90 days for new growth to occur but new growth can only be sustained with continued use and the quality of new growth may not be of very good. OOPS! 

With minoxidil considered by many to be the most reliable and effective baldness treatment you can easily see how unpredictable other products could be. Nevertheless, learning more about balding and thinning can go a long way in both moderating high expectations and giving you the confidence to try another product if your first choice fails. 

The vast majority cases of permanent and/or ongoing balding is known as male and female pattern baldness. Pattern baldness occurs when testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone and accumulated in the hair follicle complex over time. Once this accumulation occurs it shrinks the hair follicle to a point where blood flow starts to be cut off. The result is hair becoming finer, interruption of the hair replacement cycle, and an acceleration in the number of hairs entering the dormant or resting phase. If this process is not halted hair follicles will start to die and balding will be both ongoing and permanent. 

As you can now see an effective baldness treatment is only as useful as its ability to block or moderate DHT and restore follicle health. 

As discussed above minoxidil does a good job in some areas. The oral prescription medication finasteride (Propecia) has a reasonably good track record in middle aged to younger men. Minoxidil can be used safely by both men and women whereas finasteride is only approved by the FDA for use by men. 

Also, there are at least two herbs shown to be effective DHT blockers; saw palmetto and nettle root. There are a number of effective baldness treatments that are touted as natural which contain either one or both of these herbs along with B vitamins and minerals which have received very good reviews over the last five or so years. Another effective baldness treatment in the natural area are topical formulas containing almond oil, pumpkin oil, jojoba oil, and lavender oil. Once again while you have quite a few choices remember that not every treatment works for every person. 

What Next? As briefly discussed above there are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for both men and women) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated products can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field of natural health and wellness.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/what-to-look-for-in-an-effective-baldness-treatment-1443355.html

Question by : Baldness at 17???!!!?
i’m 17 years old and I seem to have receding hair on the two corners of my hairline, however the center of my hairline seems fine, so does the back. I remember when I was 15 my maid kept telling me she would find a lot of hair on my bed. I didn’t think much of it back then, but I think that may be it. The good news is that it has seemed to stop (there’s no more excessive hair on my bed, In fact, very very few), I think the “balding” may have stopped too but I’m really worried, my dad only has hair on the sides of his head (he’s 55) and my dad on my mother’s side is the same, except he started balding at a much later age. So I know I have the dreaded bald gene, but I”m only 17! How can I be “balding” this young, should I be concerned? What can I do?

note:a little note, please don’t give “bald is beautiful” answers, please, that’s not what i’m looking for (sorry if that sounded rude) and I’m not even CLOSE to bald, just have a small bald patch on the two corners of my hairline, the front if fine (flourishing, even) the back is if fine, the sides are fine, just the two corners of my hairline (the right and left sides)

Best answer:

Answer by Matt
Great!!

Add your own answer in the comments!

Incoming search terms:

• balding at 17

What is the cause of female pattern baldness? This is a problem women have been struggling with for years although it has only recently been in the limelight. The major reason for this problem is androgenetic hormones. Androgen is typically a male hormone.

In females the ovaries and adrenal glands are the main supplier of androgens. An androgen such as DHEA is generated by the adrenal glands. This androgen can be altered by enzymes and turned into testosterone. When females have this problem DHEA precedes DHT. It is converted by alpha 5 reductase enzymes and hydroxysteroid hydrogenase isomerase, which is an enzyme. Basically, what this means is it will be changed by both of these enzymes in order to do the same damage regular DHT does to hair follicles of men.

As with men, female pattern baldness is also dependent upon genes received from both parents. If you had a female relative who had this problem, you are more apt to inherit it.

What are Some of the Symptoms?

One of the symptoms of female pattern baldness is scattered hair loss over the whole scalp. The more obvious sections are normally towards the back. It can also be a scattered hair loss with more towards the front. In addition, the front part of the scalp can be affected and still leave the hairline alone.

Another sign of female pattern baldness is ‘hair miniaturizing’. This is when hair of different lengths are found all over the areas where the hair is thinning. It is also a sign of androgenetic alopecia, but it can also be present due to a variety of reasons. For example, women who are in the post-menopausal phase can have ‘hair miniaturizing’.

What Can I Do?

In order to correct this situation, there are natural products that can be used by women that are very similar to the ones men use. The vitamins that are beneficial to the skin, hair and nails are B-6 and Biotin as well as the minerals, magnesium and zinc. These vitamins and minerals used in conjunction with horsetail, which is an herb, have shown proven results at re-growing hair.

There has been some evidence that shows female pattern baldness is a little different from male pattern baldness. The hair will thin all over the scalp, but in women, it thins more evenly. There is not any new hair being grown however, the hair follicles have not died. They apparently do not shrink like they do when men have problems with male pattern baldness.

This leaves the field wide open for re-growing hair from the same follicles. This is being studied now. Due to the extent of hair loss, just as with men, there seems to be a problem getting new hair to grow. If the condition has not progressed past a certain percentage of the scalp, the odds are in your favor that the hair treatments will work.

This is the reason it is so important to find out the cause of your female pattern baldness and start on a solution right away. The sooner you begin to revitalize the hair follicles, the healthier they can become.

No doubt about it. You are the owner of your own health.  It is up to you to take some proactive action and do some hair loss research to understand the particular cause for your hair loss.

If you suffer from male/female pattern baldness or other hair loss disorders, visit http://www.natural-hair-loss-prevention.com.

D Y Smith is a dedicated internet researcher of health issues including hair loss. For more information on natural alternatives to thinning hair for both men and women, visit her website, Natural Hair Loss Prevention.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/female-pattern-baldness-why-is-my-hair-thinning-1428517.html

Article by Dave Niss

With the advent of new technologies and topical medications that work wonders against hair loss, it is important to step back and determine what the causes of hair loss are. More specifically, we understand that androgenetic alopecia is the primary culprit when it comes to hair loss. In addition, there are external and physical factors that come into play that involve our habits and emotions. Smoking and Stress are known to have negative impact on our health and can also contribute to baldness.

Let’s start with smoking – How Smoking Affects Hair Growth or lossSmoking has been proven to have a profound effect on hair loss by changing the dynamics of hair growth and restoration in the scalp. In essence, it works by promoting the level of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the hair follicles. According to a clinical study by the Harvard School of Public Health, DHT levels in randomly sampled smokers were 13% higher in smokers than in non smokers. In addition, testosterone was about 9% higher in smokers than non smokers, which means there are more levels for the enzyme Alpha-5-reductase to act upon in producing DHT. In conjunction with each other, testosterone and DHT increase the amount and rate of hair loss. Is Smoking the Only Culprit?Bear in mind that smoking alone will not cause someone without strong androgenetic alopecia genes to lose hair all of sudden. Quitting smoking will also not make your hair stay on your head if hair loss runs in your family. However, it is important to recognize the fact smoking expedites the hair loss rate. It causes the blood vessels in the scalp to constrict, which accounts for less blood flow. Plus, chemicals in smoke like carbon monoxide limit the bloods ability to carry oxygen. Smoking may even cause your hair transplant situation to become worse since it is known to cause infections and scarring, along with poor growth of the transplanted hair that’s already there. As we all know, blood flow is key when it comes to preventing the baldness cause. For more information go to: Hair loss causes: SmokingStress and baldness – What Is Your Hair Trying to Tell You?A solid mindset contributes to vibrant and dynamic hair that’s easy to manage. Too much remorse and physical malaise turns hair dull, which leads to more maintenance that could involve the abuse of shampoos and conditioners. Waxy hair is also normal, since stress may contribute to overactive sebaceous glands that produce oil. The lack of equilibrium in the body can lead to telogen effluvim, which is a condition that affects people who have had a sudden stressful jolt to their systems. Hair loss may be induced through stressful situations that share an all-of-a-suddenness to them, like crash weight loss diets and surgery recovery. Stress causes the hair follicles to revert back to a resting phase, which makes it stop growing temporarily. It is estimated that the amount of hairs switching to a resting phase go from a normal head’s 10 percent to as much as 30 percent of your hair. The good thing about this form of stress induced hair loss is that it is not a permanent situation and does not lead to baldness. Remember, telogen effluvim is a temporary condition as a result of shocking events. Clumps of hair may fall from your head but it will eventually grow back. For more information go to: Hair loss causes: StressHair is an excellent indicator of our well-being. Proper nutrition, relaxed lifestyle and good general health care can increase dramatically the number and quality of the hairs on our head. Asking your doctor for more information regarding your personal condition will help you understand and start a better lifestyle for your general health and also your hair.