The American Hair Loss Association says that two-thirds of US men will develop some degree of hair loss by the time they reach 35. Moreover, around 85% of men will experience hair loss, whether mild or severe, at some stage in their lives.
It’s no surprise, then, that lots of men start looking at the possibility of rectifying that in some way. While there are surgical methods available, these are expensive and rarely covered by insurance. They may be out of financial reach for some, and simply not appealing to others. Surgical procedures to combat hair loss can also take time to achieve the right results, so it makes sense that lots of men might consider non-surgical hair replacement methods.
Exploring Medication For Male Hair Loss
One of the most familiar is minoxidil, a topical treatment applied to the scalp each day. It acts in two ways – it helps to slow or prevent more hair loss, along with encouraging new hair to grow. As you might expect, this process takes several months of daily applications. Minoxidil is available over the counter.
Another option – albeit this time as a prescription drug – is finasteride. This comes in pill form and so is easier to take when compared to the topical application of minoxidil. However, it does also take several months to notice any difference.
Low-level laser therapy provides another non-surgical option
A 2021 study showed that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) had positive results for men experiencing androgenetic alopecia. The laser therapy stimulates cellular activity and therefore hair growth. The same study noted that a combination therapy approach involving LLLT and minoxidil or finasteride produced even better results over time.
Non-Surgical Hair Systems Provide Another Possibility
There was a time when wigs and hairpieces looked far from natural. Anyone wanting to tackle hair loss would feel self-conscious about it – and potentially even more so if resorting to a hairpiece.
Fortunately, this is one area where men can choose a different approach to managing hair loss. While we often associate hair systems with women more than men, they’re good for guys too – and they’re far more natural nowadays than they have ever been before. It’s possible to get hair systems or toppers made from real hair designed to cover smaller areas of balding. The same can be done for a receding hairline – something more commonly seen in men as they age.
These systems tend to be tailored to the individual too, so while they’re pricier than off-the-shelf wigs or hairpieces, they’re far cheaper than any surgical treatments that are available.
An innovation from Italy that is offered at Unique Hair Concepts is called the CNC hair and scalp prosthesis. Made with biomedical materials, healthy unprocessed human hair, this prosthesis is made utilizing 3D cam scan technology. It is the most advanced non-surgical hair replacement system in the market. Further, it is made to fit the most active lifestyle as many athletes with hair loss wear this advanced technology.
What Does the Future Hold for Male Hair Loss Treatments?
This is the big question, and one recent study showed promising results when a naturally occurring sugar was used as a topical treatment for wound healing. The study also discovered hairs in the area grew faster than those outside the treatment area.
This study was undertaken on mice, but since the sugar (2-deoxy-D-ribose or 2dDr) is naturally present in the human body, it looks promising for future hair loss treatments, since it is a natural product.
As we go into a fresh New Year, it remains to be seen which hair loss treatments are the best for men. We already have several possibilities that do not involve surgery, and it seems that future methods may also swerve this aspect.
If you are a man with thinning hair or hair loss, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts for more information and to schedule a complimentary hair and scalp analysis. All consultations are in-person and without obligation.
Located in Ardsley, New York in Westchester County, just 25 minutes north of New York City, the team at Unique Hair Concepts has been helping adults and children with hair loss for over 10 years.
