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 procedures in Washington DC.
Types of Hair Loss in Men
Androgenetic Alopecia
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:
- Gradual Onset
- Transition in the involved area from large, thick, pigmented terminal hairs to thinner, shorter and potentially wispy hairs.
- Men will notice a gradual recession of the frontal hairline early in the process
Involutional Alopecia
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
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 towards men’s hair restoration. Dr. Somenek uses combination treatment to stimulate new hair growth. This can include:
- Platelet Rich Plasma injections
- Supplements
- Topical treatments
All options that are appropriate for you will be discussed during the consultation with Dr. Somenek.
Discuss the Options for Hair Restoration Treatment in Washington DC
If you are experiencing hair loss and would like to explore options for hair restoration for men, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Somenek.
