by Katerina Nikolas

Created on: November 22, 2012   Last Updated: December 18, 2012

Some men are proud to display a bald-pate, while many others mourn the loss of their hair. Hair loss can trigger a loss of self-esteem, particularly in young or single men, a loss of confidence, and a sense of feeling less attractive. Modern treatment options available for hair loss mean that the days of a bad comb-over or an ill-fitting toupee are no longer necessary.

Hair transplants
 
The most popular treatment for hair loss is a hair transplant which can be performed in any number of hair transplant clinics. The procedure involves a trained surgeon removing a hair strip from the man’s hair bearing tissue, typically the back of the neck, and transplanting the hairs into the scalp. Small incisions will be made in the scalp to receive the transplanted hair. Excess tissue is removed to ensure a natural look. Hair growth is not immediate, but typically begins within three to six months and then continues. The male hairline is restored and future hair loss prevented.

The drawback with hair transplants is they can be a costly business and repeat treatments may be required over the years to add thickness to the hair.

The BBC reported leading hair transplant surgeon Doctor Bessam Farjo advises young men under 30 should avoid hair transplants, warning "If you have the surgery too early and you go bald, you don't have enough hair to keep chasing the hair loss. You can end up with isolated patches of hair. You could end up with hairy temples and a bald forehead which isn't pretty but is also hard to fix." Instead, he recommends other treatment options for young men.

Medicinal Options

Two FDA approved treatment options are available as an alternative to hair transplants. According to Net Doctor Minoxidil lotion (Rogaine) is applied to the scalp twice a day, with a 60 percent success rate in varying degrees. A second medication available is Finasteride (Propecia), a tablet which halts and promotes hair growth in 80 percent of men. Both treatment options need to be used continually for optimum results.

Laser Comb

A third non-invasive treatment, the FDA approved laser comb, requires neither surgery nor medication, but Men Web MD reports the relatively new product may not have long-term effectiveness. The laser comb works by stimulating the hair follicles with a low-level laser.

These four treatment options are worth considering to banish baldness or hair loss and restore natural hair to its former glory. As hair growth is restored it can give a boost and make men feel younger, confident and more attractive again.

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