Men's Health > Hair Loss > Baldness Treatment

About Baldness Treatment

The phrase “bald is beautiful” has been around for some time.

And yes, Yul Brenner, Kojak, and Captain Jean-Luc “Tea, Earl Grey – HOT!” Picard have all helped to enhance this sentiment.

Yet for every Kojak (who loves ya, baby?), there are thousands of men who are a bit less pleased with their male pattern baldness, and are actively seeking baldness treatment.

Regretably, one of the big challenges that men face when seeking baldness treatment options is that the information widely available is often complex, contradictory, or in some cases, just plain irresponsibly wrong! Some so-called “miracle cures” are typically useless; and if one reads the very (very) small print on these “miracle” products, this will be spelled out (though in very tiny letters, probably in dark blue text on a black background!).

The real key to understanding how baldness treatment works is to understand why baldness and male hair loss occurs in the first place.

Why Baldness Occurs

Baldness, even if it is hereditary, occurs when excess “shedding” of hair follicles occur. Normally, about 10% of hair will fall out during the growth stage. Yet when more than 10% falls out – and this can occur gradually, or rather rapidly – baldness emerges. Factors that can contribute to baldness, and thus require baldness treatment, include: diet, stress, age, side effects of some medications and medical treatments, scalp conditions such as psoriasis, and scalp injury.

Baldness treatment thus works on two levels. On the one hand, some baldness treatment remedies such as Minoxidil (Rogaine) and an ultraviolet therapy known as PUVA try and re-grow areas that have succumbed to excess shedding (sometimes called “patchy areas” of the scalp). On the other hand, a baldness treatment such as Finasteride works to prevent further baldness (corticosteroid injections and attempt to do the same thing).

Baldness Treatment Problems

Many men have experienced positive results from using baldness treatment solutions, such as those noted above. However, it’s important to mention that these baldness treatment remedies do have some potential side effects. These side effects can be generally mild, such as temporary scalp irritation or over sensitivity to water temperature, or they can be somewhat more severe. These more dramatic side effects can include excess pain, sexual problems (such as erectile dysfunction), and possible denting of the scalp (with corticosteroid injections).

Baldness Treatment Options

There are a growing number of alternative baldness treatment solutions that are gaining widespread attention. Many of these have been popular in the eastern world for centuries, but are now making their way through to North America with some momentum. Some of there alternative baldness treatment therapies include:

• Homeopathy (such as Baryta Carbonica).
• Herbs (such as aniseed, margosa, and ginseng).
• The use of a “slanting board” to stimulate blood flow to the head.
• Yoga (to alleviate stress and thus remove one common cause of baldness).
• Magnetic therapy
• Chinese medicine
• Topical applications of coconut oil
• Cardiovascular exercise (to alleviate stress and tension, and stimulate blood flow/circulation)

Drew Voight