Reasons for hair loss
Hair loss can have many causes and there are different types of hair loss. However, only the classic hereditary hair loss can be treated with a hair transplant. Hair loss such as alopecia areata or circular hair loss cannot be treated with a hair transplant.
Hereditary hair loss
This type of hair loss occurs mainly in men, but also affects women. Androgenetic alopecia (also abbreviated as AGA) is often described as hereditary hair loss. This is hair loss that is passed on to other generations through genes. However, it can also happen that a generation is skipped. Therefore, do not only look at the hair status of your father, but also take into account the development of your grandfather’s hair situation in order to be able to make a rough estimate of what kind of hair loss you could possibly experience.
Treatment of hereditary hair loss
There are many remedies and products, even books, advertised on the Internet that are supposed to be helpful in stopping hereditary hair loss and successful in treating receding hairline or baldness. Here, one should keep a healthy scepticism, look for proven successes and also orientate oneself on what private users report about themselves and their therapy results on relevant help portals.
Visit a dermatologist and have your hair situation examined at an early stage.
The currently proven helpful remedies for the treatment of hair loss are minoxidil and finasteride. These are also recommended and prescribed by dermatologists for hair loss.
Finasteride (tablet form: Propecia) is an active ingredient that reduces DHT, which is harmful to the hair roots. Minoxidil (for application: Regaine), on the other hand, is an agent that promotes blood circulation in the hair follicles in the area of application.
The successful effects of using finasteride and minoxidil can be very different. Side effects (NWs) also occur to varying degrees or not at all; the same applies to skin irritations when minoxidil is applied to the scalp. Overall, however, it has been shown that both remedies are quite successful. Have your therapy attempts accompanied by an experienced doctor; this is the only way to take the path of least risk.
In addition, there is also the possibility of a hair transplant in the case of hereditary hair loss. A hair transplant has the advantage that you do not have to wait many years (or decades) to see whether and to what extent your hair status will improve with the above-mentioned medicines. Within a relatively short time, thanks to modern techniques in the field of hair transplantation, one gets back one’s natural hair splendour through “redistribution” of the hair. A hair transplant also contributes decisively to improving the psychological situation of this often very debilitating affliction with androgenetic alopecia. A professionally planned hair transplantation carried out by renowned surgeons can achieve excellent results, so that the affected person can concentrate on the essential things in life again full of energy after a short time. Joy of life and quality of life return!
Lowering DHT levels with Finasteride (Propecia)
The androgenic/male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) plays a very important role in relation to hair. Excess DHT causes hair cycles to shorten and hair to atrophy.
Simplified:
The enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (steroid-5 alpha-reductase) converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. If there is now an excess of DHT, treatment of androgenetic hair loss attempts to reduce the amount of hormone acting in the hair follicle. This can be done by:
- By reducing the total amount of hormones in the body. Here, however, there is a risk that other bodily functions will also be affected
- By reducing the amount of DHT in local regions by influencing the enzyme 5 alpha reductase
The drugs prescribed by doctors for androgenetic hair loss are also called antiandrogens. In the case of male AGA, the prescription drug Propecia (finasteride) is used, which has an effect according to the above-mentioned approaches.
Use dermatologically advised therapies before hair transplantation
In any case, you should first consult a dermatologist about your hair loss, find out what type of hair loss you are affected by, and take advantage of the recommended therapies. If it turns out that no improvement can be achieved and you are actually affected by androgenetic alopecia, then a hair transplant may be an option. A comprehensive consultation, planning and microscopy can determine whether you are suitable for an autologous hair transplant. If the donor area has sufficient donor material, there is usually nothing to prevent a hair transplant.
Note: Unfortunately, hair transplantation cannot be carried out in the case of diffuse hair loss or alopecia areata
Medication after a hair transplant
Experienced, renowned hair surgeons recommend that patients take medication with finasteride or minoxidil after hair transplantation. The aim of this treatment is to slow down or even stop the progression of androgenetic alopecia, so that a further hair transplant can even be avoided in the best case.