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Suffering from hair loss is often times stressful and can be an emotional experience for men. Alopecia,
or hair loss, affects tens of millions of mostly men in the United States alone. According to the American Hair Loss Association, about 85% of men will have significant hair thinning by the time they turn 50, and some men will even begin to lose hair in their early 20’s.
Whether you’ve just noticed a thinning hairline or you’re constantly wearing a baseball hat to hide your bald spot, there’s a good chance you’ve tried at least one product to keep your hair from thinning. Dr. Somenek specializes in facial plastic surgery and hair restoration treatments that encourage new hair growth and prevent further hair loss.
Hair loss in men can occur for several reasons, with medical conditions, diet, stress, hormones, and genes being the most common factors. It is extremely important to identify the root cause of the hair loss before prescribing a treatment protocol. Dr. Somenek discusses the most common causes of hair loss in men and options for hair restoration.
Androgenetic Alopecia occurs in men whose hair follicles are sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This is by far the most common type of alopecia and is an inherited condition. Men may experience this type of hair loss as early as in their teens or early 20’s. Over time, DHT-sensitive hair (usually found on the top and front of the head) becomes weaker, finer, and eventually stops growing. DHT becomes overly concentrated in the hair follicles, choking off and eventually halting the process of healthy hair growth. Those who experience advanced hair loss however, typically have healthy hair follicles around the sides of the head. These healthy hairs are resistant to this hormone and survive for a lifetime. Signs of androgenetic alopecia include:
Involutional alopecia is the gradual thinning of the hair that occurs with age. It remains unknown why certain hair follicles have a shorter growth period than others. It is a natural condition that happens as more and more hair follicles go into the telogen, or “resting” phase. In this phase, hair continues to get shorter with fewer hairs growing, and it becomes harder to regrow hair. It is linked to a variety of factors, such as genetics, diet, or disease.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease that results in hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This condition causes patches of hair to fall out at different spots on the scalp. It occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, which is where hair growth begins. It is not permanent, but experts do not know the cause of the attack on the hair follicles. About 2% of the population will suffer from alepoecia areata at some time in their lives.
There are many ways in which hair loss can occur, but if you’re able to pinpoint the exact cause, it can be the first step to treating the issue.
Dr. Somenek uses combination treatment to stimulate new hair growth.
This can include:
All options that are appropriate for you will be discussed during the consultation with Dr. Somenek.
If you are experiencing hair loss and would like to explore options for hair restoration, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Somenek.
Dr. Troy Pittman is an internationally recognized expert in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast and body. Dr. Pittman is Board-Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and practices the full spectrum of Plastic Surgery procedures. He has specific interest and expertise in aesthetic surgery of the breast, including complex revision breast surgery.
Michael Somenek, M.D., is a facial plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. whose practice offers specialized cosmetic and reconstructive services. In addition to his high levels of experience and talent, Dr. Somenek is also a compassionate and warm surgeon who finds personal fulfillment in helping patients rejuvenate their appearances and their confidence. Request a consultation online to meet personally with Dr. Somenek, or call our office to schedule a consultation.