Male Hair Loss - Start Looking for Help
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by: Mats Stolt
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Word Count: 436
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2010 Time: 6:00 AM
Management - Male balding is a biologically normal process. Under normal circumstances it has no adverse effect on physical wellbeing apart from increasing the risk of chronic photo damage to unprotected scalp skin. Under exceptional conditions a full head of hair may also contribute to thermoregulation: the French military surgeon Dominique-Jean Larrey observed that the bald men (and men without hats) were the first to die during the Russian campaign in the winter of 1812. Yet balding still has a powerful effect on the human psyche, to the extent that few men would choose to go bald were the choice available. Many men accept loss of their hair and prefer to let nature take its course.
However, for some men balding is important enough for them to seek treatment and for a few concern about hair loss reaches the level of a body dysmorphic disorder. It is important to recognize men in the latter group, as treatment aimed at addressing the perceived hair problem is unlikely to be successful. A number of studies have shown that male balding has an adverse effect on quality of life (though this is almost inevitable in those seeking professional advice). Nevertheless, balding is often seen as a trivial issue (mainly by non-sufferers) which may make men reluctant to approach their physician as they perceive, rightly or wrongly, that they will not receive a sympathetic response.
Counselling - Men seeking medical advice for male balding fall roughly into three groups (which may overlap): those who wish to ensure their hair loss is not a manifestation of an underlying serious disease, those who wish to be treated and those with a body image problem. For all groups counselling should include an explanation of the nature of male balding and its natural history. For those interested in preventing further progression or improving their hair status the treatment options will also need to be discussed. For those with a body dysmorphic disorder involvement of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist should be explored. Hair loss is an emotive issue and sufferers are vulnerable to exploitation by the unscrupulous. Patients should be advised against parting with large sums of money on unproven and valueless remedies.
Medical Treatments - At present only two medical treatments, minoxidil and finasteride, are of proven benefit in male balding. Both drugs will stimulate some regrowth of hair in some men but are perhaps better regarded as preventative treatments. Neither will regrow hair on completely bald scalp and continued treatment is necessary to maintain the response. Both drugs have a good safety record, a consideration of paramount importance when treating hair growth disorders.
About the Author
Nordic Hair is a hair and laser professional company helping people with hair loss problems.
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