Hair Loss FAQ
What is male pattern hair loss?
The cause of hair loss in around 90% of men is male pattern hair loss and occurs at the front, top and crown of the head.
This is known as the Norwood Hamilton Scale and is the most advanced classification of hair loss. Our illustrations belowwill help you to categorise your male pattern hair loss.
There is no way of predicting how a male will suffer hair loss but those who begin losing hair in their early twenties will tend to progress quicker. Other male pattern hair loss may be delayed until the late thirties.
Hair loss is determined by inherited genetics from one or both parents and is caused by the hormone receptors in your hair roots.
The receptors attract the male hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) triggering the hair loss process. Cosmetics, medication or hair transplant can be a solution to male pattern hair loss.
What is female pattern hair loss?
Female pattern hair loss is an inherited condition and the most common type of hair loss seen in women.
It can occur at anytime from puberty but is most commonly seen after the menopause.
Although hormones play a role in this, the exact pathology is not as clearly understood as in male pattern hair loss.
It is also often genetically determined by one or both parents.
A hair transplant can be a solution to female pattern hair loss.
Female hair loss can be more complex and caused by multiple factors, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis before considering hair treatment options.
The following blood tests can help diagnose female hair loss but you should also discuss this with your GP:
● Full Blood Count ● ESR ● Liver function & Lipids ● Vitamin B12 ● Serum Iron ● Total Iron Binding Capacity ● Serum Ferritin ● Red Cell Folic Acid ● Serum Zinc ● Prolactin ● TSH ● Free T4 ● Oestradiol ● IgE
Non-surgical hair loss treatments
HAIR FIBRES
HairLab fibres are undetectable and look just as natural as your own hair. This is because they are made from keratin (the same protein your hair is made from).
- HairLab Hair Fibres and Locking Mist
- Gives instant thicker hair
- Incredible natural results
- Resists wind & rain
- Wear with confidence
- Applied in seconds
- Colour matched to blend naturally
- Created for both men and women
When combined with a Locking Mist, HairLab fibres also become wind and rain proof, and will not come off until shampooed out.
FINASTERIDE (PROPECIA)
Finasteride is clinically proven to prevent male hair loss.Research shows that when taking Finasteride there is an 80% to 90% possibility of slowing down or even stopping the process of hair loss in cases of male pattern hair loss.
It can also help to thicken and strengthen your existing hair, making it appear thicker and fuller so that it covers more scalp.
Finasteride’s action only begins to “kick-in” at 3-4 months, while results should begin to be apparent after around 6 months.
However, any benefits gained by using Finasteride will be lost within a few months of stopping use of the drug.
Finasteride is not suitable as a treatment for women suffering from alopecia.
MINOXIDIL (REGAINE)
Minoxidil (Rogaine®) was the first hair loss treatment proven to reverse genetic male hair loss.
Minoxidil can limit the onset of your male pattern baldness.
Rogaine (Minoxidil) is another option and although the mechanism of action is poorly understood, we do know that in a small percentage of men hair will re-grow in the crown area.
Of greater significance is the fact that the rate of hair loss appears to slow down.
In fact the latest research shows that there is an 80% possibility of slowing down or even stopping the process of hair loss in men.
Surgical treatment
HAIR TRANSPLANT
Hair transplantation is a minor surgical technique that guarantees the partial restoration of your own head of natural hair. Results can be remarkable but you will never regain the original density of your native hair. However it is the only guaranteed method that overcomes hair loss and can provide a solution for both male and some females with pattern hair loss.
It will take approximately four months for new hair to start growing and the natural hair will continue to mature in colour and body for 12 to 18 months after the surgical procedure.
FUE Transplant Surgery
FUE is the latest development in advanced hair transplant techniques where a small precise round punch is used to extract follicular units from a patient’s DHT resistant donor area.
The follicular units are carefully harvested and the grafts and are then transplanted into the patient’s treatment area.
FUE Donor area immediately post op
The hairs are placed in the direction and angle of the hair growth to form a natural looking hairline and realistic look.
The overall result is your own hair performing naturally as it did before and only you and the people you choose to tell need ever know about your treatment.
The procedure is relatively painless and involves only a little discomfort when applying the anaesthetic.
FUT Transplant Surgery
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) is an older and substantially more invasive form of hair transplant surgery and involves removing an entire piece of scalp from the donor area at the back of the head, trimming this into individual hair grafts, and planting them into the thinning areas at the top of the patient’s head. Local anaesthetic is applied to the donor area before taking a strip and a linear scar will remain in the donor area, but this can usually be hidden under the patient’s hair if left a little longer.
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