Hair loss can be a major blow to self confidence no matter what age, but experts say there are regrowth and restoration solutions available to treat balding at all stages.
Hair loss is an issue that affects all men to some extent as they age. In Australia, significant balding affects about 20% of men in their 20s, about 30% of those in their 30s and 40% of men in their 40s.
And while it’s a common occurrence, for many men it’s a topic that they are not comfortable openly discussing. Luckily, we have experts on hand to explain what causes hair loss and how it can be treated.
What causes hair loss?
Dr Isabella Sillar, a Monash University graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, says male pattern hair loss is “a biological paradox” as the hormone (DHT) that triggers thicker hair development during puberty acts in reverse on the scalp.
“It has been extensively researched over the past decade and still challenges medical professionals and researchers today,” Dr Sillar said. “What we do know is that higher levels of DHT are found in a balding scalp and the number of receptors on a follicle increases with increasing baldness and occurs only in the galea aponeurotica layer (tough layer of connective tissue) and the immediate areas surrounding this.”
Dr Sillar says early recognition of hair thinning or increased hair shedding is key to ensure the best outcome when exploring treatments.
Stigma around hair loss
Mark Malone, National Training Manager at Advanced Hair Clinic, said while hair loss affects everyone differently, for some it can really affect their self-confidence.
“It’s not uncommon that our clients feel really uncomfortable if they’re not wearing their hats or they’ll avoid certain situations because they are feeling self-conscious about their hair,” he said.
“It’s uncommon for our clients to tell friends or family that they are going into treatment. It comes down to that manly stigma around acknowledging that there’s something you’re not happy with or want to change.”
There can be a lot of scepticism when it comes to hair loss treatments, with some men unwilling to seek help for fear of treatment being unsuccessful. But with 45 years of experience under its belt, Advanced Hair Clinic can guarantee results for eligible candidates.
“We’ve invested in AI software so we can now do a physical strand count and assessment of hair at various intervals so the clients can see a tangible result or improvement for themselves. For that reason we can actually offer a guarantee around certain treatments and around seeing your results,” Mark said.
What treatments are available for hair loss?
Thanks to advancements in science and technology, there are numerous treatments available today. Mark says no matter how severe the hair loss, there is a solution available.
“If the client is likely to respond well to a regrowth program that’s the preferred starting point. If the hair loss is advanced, that’s when we would discuss the hair restoration procedure, and we have both surgical and non-surgical options.”
For those that are in the earliest stages of hair loss, laser therapy, which is overseen by a dermatologist, is popular.
“Most clients can double the existing hair. However, it is only effective if the follicles are still present and still actively growing.”
Once the follicles have closed, a hair restoration treatment is the best course of action. PRP or Platelet-Rich Plasma has become a popular treatment for restoring hair growth. It involves the client supplying a sample of blood from which plasma is extracted.
“That plasma is then injected into the scalp tissue and that helps to activate some of the stem cells inside of the hair follicle bulb. That’s quite a popular treatment that can see a really good response with regrowth.”
Because male pattern hair loss is a progressive condition, ongoing treatments will be required.
“Unfortunately, there is no cure at this stage to fix hair loss permanently. However, maintenance can be really easy. After the initial treatment, clients can prolong the result by following a maintenance routine and that will help them to maintain the look after the initial treatment.”
If you are looking for a solution to treat hair loss, there’s the option to manage the cost with humm.
Find out about the treatments offered by Advanced Hair Clinic here.
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