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. Alopecia is the medical name for hair loss and androgenetic alopecia is the correct medical name for the type of hair loss known as Male pattern baldness (MPB). MPB is generally caused by the effects of a hormone, dihydrotestosterone, upon the hair follicles found on the scalp. Surprising to many is the fact that MPB can make an appearance at any time between the ages of around twenty to as late as fifty. The early signs are receding of the hair line, which is not uncommon in younger men. How fast or aggressive the hair loss is depends on many factors but the most important are the genetic factors. Today's modern man is often under more pressure than previous generations. Ageism seems rampant and one of the key signs of a man's age is his hair, or rather, the lack of it. For this, and many other reasons, many men feel the need to either hide their male pattern baldness or to treat it. Luckily modern medicine offers a number of solutions, some are very new and yet some, such as the use of wigs, very, very old. Male pattern baldness is not, strictly speaking, a medical condition. As it is genetic there is little that can be done to 'cure' it. However there have recently been a couple of interesting drugs developed that help to stop the progression of MPB. If these drugs do not work, or you already have extensive baldness, you have no option than to use a wig, or hair piece, or spend a small fortune on cosmetic surgery. 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 for male pattern baldness is incredible but, if it goes wrong, it can be a complete nightmare. Please, if you are planning such cosmetic surgery, do not take short cuts. Make use you use the best cosmetic surgeon available in your area. After all, we are talking about one of the most visible parts of your body. 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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