Ask any young guy to think about how he will look by the time he reaches his fifties and, after a little encouragement, most will describe a slightly over weight person suffering from gray hair and a certain amount of hair loss. As we grow older many of us suffer varying degrees of hair loss and men in particular suffer. One of the most common types of baldness in men, which follows a particular course, is male pattern baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is the correct medical terminology for the kind of hair loss which is more commonly known as Male pattern baldness (MPB) (alopecia is the more general medical name for hair loss). It would appear that the cause of MPB is dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that has an effect upon the scalp's hair follicles. Often very alarming, and sometimes somewhat upsetting, the onset of MPB at an early age can come as something of a shock for anybody no matter how prepared you are. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for men of around 20 to notice the early signs of MPB such as a receding hair line. Androgenetic alopecia can start at any time but commonly between the ages of 20 - 50. Sadly, if your father developed MPB at an early age it is highly likely that the same will happen to you as the problem is genetic. Looking good is vital to one's mental well-being. There appears to be ever increasing pressure laid upon us to look young, healthy and fresh. Unfortunately, for many men, male pattern baldness can give the impression of increased age and there is a bit of a stigma attached to it. Therefore many men find talking about MPB problematic but most would admit to investigating solutions. Luckily there are a few things that sufferers of MPB can do to either reduce it's progression or minimize it's appearance. There are only really three options when it comes to treating male pattern baldness. As, strictly speaking, it is not a medical condition, there are not that many therapies available. However there are two medical treatments that halt the progression of MPB. Other options include cosmetic surgery and, of course, the use of a wig. Many sufferers of MPB will have heard of Rogaine. Rogaine uses and incredible ingredient known as Minoxidil which can halt hair loss. Sadly there are rarely any signs of hair regrowth and when it does occur it is minimal. However this topical medication is highly effective. Unfortunately it is necessary to use it on a regular basis otherwise hair loss will resume. Another chemical, Finasteride, halts hair loss and MPB by stoping the bodies production of dihydrotestosterone. Found in products such as Proscar and Propecia, Finasteride is an oral medication. Unfortunately, just like with Minoxidil, if you stop taking it the hair loss starts again. Cosmetic surgery has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few decades and this is especially so in relation to cosmetic surgery for male pattern baldness. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford this type of treatment you will find that the results are often spectacular. Unfortunately you need to take great care to ensure that you use a cosmetic surgeon who has an exemplary reputation because there is always an element of risk with such treatments. The last treatment for male pattern baldness that we shall investigate is not really a treatment, rather, it is a solution to a problem. Wigs have been available for thousands of years and are still a popular solution to hair loss. Available as smaller hair pieces it is important that you do not opt for the cheapest wigs. Good quality wigs are made from real hair and are therefore rather expensive. However the results are spectacular.
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