Micro grafts contain at least one hair follicle and may contain two or three follicles. The type of hair graft you need depends on the size of the area to be reconstructed. The most common method used is to take a section of tissue containing hair follicular units that is removed from usually around the side of your neck or back area of the neck below your usual hair line or your style of hair cut. This area is usually targeted for grafting because of the lack of DHT or non-shedding properties in these locations. The graft is dissected after being magnified to examine the potential for transplanting. There must be enough follicular units in the excised tissue to be useful as a graft for transplanting where there is hair loss on the head. The graft units are then placed in the best position on the head that will make the growth look natural.

Single follicle grafts are placed in the front of the head to make the growth natural. The skill of the physician and his artistic abilities and esthetic vision all make the final surgical success. Needless to say, the extent of time and effort needed to make hair loss surgery natural looking and the surgical professionalism required for success cost a great deal of money.

The first method usually attempted is to rub or spray on medication that is said to stimulate the follicular part of your hair that is deep in the dermal layer of your skin. Minoxidil is name of the topical cream that is used in products like Rogaine. This is the only FDA approved method for combating hair loss. Minoxidil is the main ingredient or medication used to stop the conversion of testosterone to DHT(a hormone called Dihydrotestosterone that destroys hair follicles, usually used for people with hereditary hair loss) in only the targeted area. This medication theoretically stops the hair loss and is especially effective in patients whose hair loss has not been occurring for a prolonged length of time but has just begun in recent years or months. Minoxidil also seems more effective in younger patients. The product is only promoted for effective treatment if used twice a day. The rate of success varies from study to study. There is no definitive truth that the product will initiate the hair follicles to grow hair nor are there any negative responses stated in the literature. Success seems to be a very individual process. Some results report moderate hair regrowth and others state lower rates of success. Keep in mind that the products must be used religiously twice a day for months.

Many shampoos can help your hair look thicker and have more volume. Some effective shampoo treatments are marketed as anti-hair loss treatments. Anti-hair loss shampoos have deep cleansers and volume builders and follicle stimulator’s. Many shampoos today contain ingredients that strengthen your hair and help resist breakage.

There are also numerous new products that can help restore and cleanse follicles and some products can help with advanced stages of baldness. Most of the products stated will help with hair loss in men and women. However, always the inserts that come along with any product whether it is used topically or otherwise. One product that can make your hair fuller is effective by sing hair building fibers.

Good health and nutrition are important for hair health. There are many supplements and vitamins that replenish nutrient and vitamin loss in the hair and scalp area. Many dietary aids that can be taken once daily will help to improve hair vitality. Being able to take an oral treatment is for some people an easier method due to lifestyle restrictions or just the fact that you donít have time to do extensive treatments.

Another method used for hair loss is that of serums applied topically that are regenerative and are massaged into the hair at the scalp surface. These products can be used by both men and women.

The most important thing to ask yourself when deciding on which treatment to use for your hair loss is what method fits best in to your lifestyle. Will you be able to complete the chosen program and will you be able to find the time to do the treatments as prescribed? If you make a deliberate decision to use a method or product you can stay with, whatever hair loss method or treatment you choose should not cause you more distress and you should see improvement as you hope for.

Loosing a few hairs here and there is normal and a gradual thinning of the hair will occur as you get older. On average you will loose fifty to one hundred hairs per day, but when you compare that to the amount of individual hairs you actually have, it is not a noticeable loss. Excessive hair loss however can lead to baldness if the loss is more than what can be replaced during the growth cycle, the hair that is growing in is thinner than the ones that fell out, or if you experience hair loss in patches.

There are a number of types of hair loss some are due to specific reasons and can be diagnosed and treated and some are due to various environmental, hormonal, or medical reasons and have no real diagnosis other than as a side affect of what may be already occurring. Many of the specific reasons are classified as alopecia, which is the medical term for hair loss, these can be corrected but it can a long period of time for the hair to grow back properly.

Specific Hair Loss Types (Alopecia)

• Alopecia areata ñ This is an autoimmune disease; most people who have it also suffer from other autoimmune disorders. It is believed that people who suffer from Alopecia areata have the genetic make-up for the disease and that the condition is set off by a trigger. People who have a family history of Alopecia areata are also more apt to develop the disease. The good news however is that your hair will grow back, it may take a number of growth cycles but it will grow back.
• Androgenetic alopecia ñ Commonly known as pattern baldness, this is a condition in which the growth cycle is cut short and the hairs that do grow in are thinner and not as healthy as normal. The hairs become less secure in the follicle as each growth cycle occurs allowing them to fall out much easier. Your heredity is a major part why you develop pattern baldness.
• Cicatricial alopecia - This is a permanent type of hair loss where damage is caused to the follicle by inflammation which leads to scarring. The scarring keeps new hair from growing and is only part of other diseases such as Lupus.
• Telogen effluvium ñ This occurs when you experience a physical or emotional distress, which can cause the hairs to fall out before the your normal rest cycle begins. Once your body recovers from the shock your normal hair cycle will return and your hair will resume growing at itís regular pace.
• Traction alopecia ñ This is caused by the way you style your hair. If you wear your hair in a way where the hair gets pulled tightly it damages the follicle, if not stopped it can permanently scar your follicles causing permanent hair loss.

Other Hair Loss Causes

• Disease - Hair loss can be a direct side effect to a number of diseases, the ones that are the most prevalent are diabetes and lupus.
• Hair treatments - Overuse or improper use of chemicals on your hair, such those found in bleaching, hair dyes, perms, or straightening products, can lead to damaged hair shafts and follicles.
• Hormones - Your hormones affect the different changes in your body and your hair is no exception, you may experience hair loss if you have an over or under active thyroid. If you are male your hair loss may be due to too much testosterone, if you are female you may experience hair loss a few months after being pregnant or stopping birth control.
• Infections - Infections that effect the skin can lead to hair loss, the most recognized type of infections is ringworm; once the infection is cleared your hair growth will return to normal.
• Medical treatments and medication - Chemo or radiation therapy can be a cause of hair loss, these treatments affect the way new hair grows. Once treatment is over your hair will return to its normal hair cycle. Other medications that are used to treat arthritis, blood pressure, depression, gout, and heart disorders can lead to hair loss.
• Nutrition - Following a diet that is low in iron or protein can cause hair loss as can eating disorders and fad diets that donít provide a well rounded nutrition.
• Trichotillomania - This is a mental disorder where the person has the uncontrollable need to pull their hair. This can lead to large bald patches on the head, the cause of this disorder is still unknown.

The “Use it or lose it” campaign for Rogaine Foam, attempts to encourage younger men to start using Rogaine while hair loss is at a minimum or, before hair loss even occurs.

“Your daily grooming routine probably already includes brushing, shaving, maybe more,” says Rogaine’s web site. “Take a look at what adding just a few minutes more with Men’s Rogaine Foam can do.”

ROGAINE FOR MEN EXTRA STRENGTH FOAM - 1 Month Supply !! US $11.99 End Date: Sunday Jul-27-2008 19:08:52 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW FOAM MENS ROGAINE 1 MONTH SUPPLY 2.11oz. Minoxidil US $12.50 End Date: Tuesday Jul-29-2008 6:06:17 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW FOAM MENS ROGAINE 1 MONTH SUPPLY 2.11oz. Minoxidil US $12.50 End Date: Tuesday Jul-29-2008 8:27:20 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW FOAM MENS ROGAINE 1 MONTH SUPPLY 2.11oz.Minoxidil US $12.95 End Date: Tuesday Jul-29-2008 15:01:12 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW FOAM MENS ROGAINE 1 MONTH SUPPLY 2.11oz.Minoxidil US $12.95 End Date: Tuesday Jul-29-2008 15:01:12 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list

Alternative Names:
Alopecia in men; Baldness - male; Hair loss in men; Androgenetic alopecia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hair grows about an inch every couple of months. Each hair grows for 2 to 6 years, remains at that length for a short period, then falls out. A new hair soon begins growing in its place. At any one time, about 85% of the hair on your head is in the growing phase and 15% is not.

Each hair sits in a cavity in the skin called a follicle. Baldness in men occurs when the follicle shrinks over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. The end result is a very small follicle with no hair inside. Ordinarily, hair should grow back. However, in men who are balding, the follicle fails to grow a new hair. Why this occurs is not well understood, but it is related to your genes and male sex hormones. Even though the follicles are small, they remain alive, suggesting the possibility of new growth.

Symptoms:

The typical pattern of male baldness begins at the hairline. The hairline gradually recedes to form an “M” shape. The existing hair may become finer and shorter. The hair at the crown also begins to thin. Eventually the top of the hairline meets the thinned crown, leaving a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head.

Hair loss in patches, diffuse shedding of hair, breaking of hair shafts, or hair loss associated with redness, scaling , pain, or rapid progression could be caused by other conditions.

Treatment:

Treatment is not necessary if you are comfortable with your appearance. Hair weaving, hairpieces, or change of hairstyle may disguise the hair loss. This is usually the least expensive and safest approach for male baldness.

There are two main drugs used to treat male pattern baldness:

• Minoxidil (Rogaine) — a solution that you apply directly to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. It slows hair loss for many men, and some men grow new hair. The previous degree of hair loss returns when you stop applying the solution.
• Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) — a prescription pill that inhibits the production of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone. Like minoxidil, you are more likely to have slower hair loss than actual new hair growth. In general, it is somewhat more effective than minoxidil. The previous degree of hair loss returns when you stop taking the drug.

Hair transplants consist of removing tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is continuing to grow and placing them in areas that are balding. This can cause minor scarring in the donor areas and carries a modest risk for skin infection. The procedure usually requires multiple transplantation sessions and may be expensive. Results, however, are often excellent and permanent.

Suturing hair pieces to the scalp is not recommended. It can result in scars, infections, and abscess of the scalp. The use of hair implants made of artificial fibers was banned by the FDA because of the high rate of infection.