The typical
image of a bald men usually focus on the
middle-aged man (and beyond) with his
mid life crisis. What many people do not know is that
hair loss can actually start as early as the late
teens.
Many young men in their twenties can show significant hair
loss and clear signs of genetic male pattern baldness. At
this age, hair loss can play havoc with a
man's
self esteem and
confidence. Society is not as accepting of baldness in
the young as in middle age. In fact, it is more accepting
of total baldness (when one elects to have a shaved head
like Howie Mandel) than an eroding hairline. With so much
emphasis on the youth culture, it is no wonder that young
men with thinning hair who feel that they appear older
feel cheated and self-conscious. (Related:
Hair problems)
|
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 According
to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery,
“The first hair sign likely to occur is thinning in the
temporal area of the frontal hairline, above the
eyebrows
on either side of the “widow’s peak.” This can result in
the appearance of a high forehead. The young man may also
begin to notice excess shedding when he combs, brushes,
showers or shampoos his hair.” |
The ISHRS
further explains that loss of hair before age 21 can be
very disturbing for a young man, often leaving him feeling
less attractive socially and hindered in the job market.
He can be an easy target for expensive but bogus “miracle
cures” advertised on TV or the Internet. The American
Academy of Dermatology statistics show that male pattern
baldness affects nearly 50 million men in the United
States. About 20 per cent of
Caucasian men begin to experience this condition by
age 20.
There
is, however, medical help available for hair loss for
younger men (and men at any age). It is best to first
consult your doctor to determine if there are any medical
causes of the hair from immune system disorders,
prescription drug reactions,
skin
diseases, nutritional deficiencies, hair damaging
products, etc. These conditions require an alternative
mode of treatment than genetic male-pattern baldness
(androgen-dependent alopecia).
Options for Treating Male
Pattern Baldness
Minoxidil:
This topical medication (sold as
Rogaine) can slow down or help halt hair loss
in some cases, and help regrow hair on the vertex
of the head in some cases. To remain effective, it
must be used on a daily basis.
Propecia: A tablet taken once a day
and available by doctor’s prescription only.
According to recent studies,
Propecia has been shown to help slow down the
progressive thinning of hair in 90% of male users
over five years. Men who are already “shiny bald”
are unlikely to have positive results because the
hair follicles may not be salvageable. Men who
have early thinning the back or top of the head
have a better chance of obtaining some benefit,
but only for as long as they continue taking the
medication. (Related:
Wigs)
Hair Transplantation: Modern follicular
unit transplantation is the state-of-the art cosmetic
surgical procedure used to restore a thinning hairline and
add density to the crown. It is a safe in-office medical
procedure that redistributes healthy hair follicles from
non-thinning areas at the sides and very back of the head
(where you have more than you need) to the thinning or
balding areas on top (where you need it more). This
procedure is recommended only after careful medical
evaluation of younger patients. It may be determined that
waiting until the mid to late twenties is best to begin
surgical hair restoration, if it is deemed to be an
appropriate treatment option. According to Dr. Ken Washenik, “Hair transplantation is unusual before age 21,
although it may be a viable option for men in their later
twenties and beyond as the baldness progresses. It is
important for the hair transplantation physician to
consider the long-term effects of male pattern baldness
and to design hair restoration that will be appropriate as
the individual ages.”
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