As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, more and more men are seeking cosmetic surgery these days. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the top five most popular procedures among men are Botox, hair transplantation/restoration, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and liposuction. A recent Consumer Survey conducted by the AACS has shown that about 12% of men plan on having cosmetic surgery at some point in the future. Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis has certainly found this trend to be true, as our male client base continues to grow annually.
One of the procedures our male clients seek out most often is hair transplantation or restoration. By the age of 35, around two-thirds of American men have experienced some degree of measurable hair loss, and by the age of 50, approximately 85% have significantly thinning hair, according to the American Hair Loss Association.
Androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern baldness (MPB), accounts for more than 95% of that hair loss in men. Approximately 25% percent of men who suffer from male pattern baldness begin the painful process before they reach the age of twenty-one. This hereditary condition is characterized by a receding hairline as well as a loss of hair on the top of the scalp.
Hair loss can have many possible causes. Let’s take a closer look at them:
Hair Loss and Hormones
Hair loss in men is often closely related to hormones. There is a male equivalent to menopause, called “andropause,” and it causes men to go through a similar decline and shift in hormones. Hormones regulate just about every function in the body, including hair growth. When testosterone levels fluctuate, it can impact the body’s ability to regenerate hair follicles.
The relationship between testosterone and hair loss lies with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a derivative of testosterone. DHT can cause hair follicles to regress and die, which results in premature balding. More specifically, DHT shortens the growth cycle of hair and increases the resting cycle so that over time, hair in these locations grows less and becomes shorter until it simply stops growing altogether.
Excess levels of testosterone can often result in higher levels of DHT, and a greater likelihood of hair loss or baldness.
Stress and Hair Loss
Stress forces the adrenal glands to produce excess amounts of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. High levels of cortisol can deplete collagen, decrease bone density, and can also lead to hair loss. Constantly elevated levels of stress cause the adrenal glands to become overactive in time, due to the increased need for cortisol. When the male body has in this manner, it also produces additional testosterone and adrenaline. Additional testosterone means more DHT. lead, plus cortisol itself, can often leads to hair loss in men who consistently find themselves under a lot of pressure.
Hair Loss and Thyroid Imbalance
Hair loss can be a typical symptom of thyroid disorders. Thyroid disease is a form of hormonal imbalance, and when the thyroid gland isn’t functioning properly, other hormones throughout the body are also affected. Hair loss that occurs as a result of thyroid imbalance is often preceded by noticeable changes in the hair’s texture, such as coarseness or dryness. Facial and body hair growth may also be stunted by a thyroid imbalance.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Hair Loss
As boring as it may be to talk about, balanced nutrition really is the key to overall health. It’s important that you’re getting enough of the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs to ensure that all your organs, tissues, and cells are functioning properly. Deficiencies in protein, iron, zinc, and biotin have all been linked to hair loss in men.
It’s not just nutritional deficiencies you have to look out for, though. Excess levels of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A or carotene, can also cause premature male pattern baldness.
Hair Loss Due to Medication
Hair loss can be a common side effect of a variety of medications. Blood-thinners, antidepressants, beta blockers, NSAIDS, and vitamin A-based drugs have all been linked to thinning of the hair or baldness. Chemotherapy is also well known for causing hair loss. However, as with chemotherapy, the hair follicles should resume growing once you stop using whatever medication is causing hair loss in the first place.
How hair loss can affect men
Numerous studies on the impact of hair loss have shown that a patient’s self-esteem and body image can be negatively affected by thinning or balding hair. This loss can affect multiple aspects of a man’s life, especially when it begins at a younger age. Men may feel a deep loss of self-confidence, leading to a disruption in personal and sometimes even professional relationships.
How NeoGraft® can help
It’s clear that hair loss can be a very emotional part of the natural aging process, and seeking ways to curb this process effectively used to be quite a challenge. However, as a result of recent improvements in technology and treatments, hair restoration procedures for both men and woman have been on a consistent upswing for the last decade. The more traditional methods of hair replacement have found competition in state-of-the-art hair loss solutions like NeoGraft®. While older procedures like the “strip” method come with post-operative pain, a slow recovery time, and potential loss of feeling at the incision site, modern methods such as NeoGraft® offer patients more natural looking results with minimal downtime and no scarring.
Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis is proud to be a certified provider of NeoGraft® technology! This breakthrough procedure for men who want to achieve a fuller, healthier head of hair has many advantages over more traditional treatments. This simple process uses your own hair to recreate a fuller, more natural-looking hairline.
When choosing a hair transplant procedure, the goal of most patients is results that look natural and restore confidence. Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis have partnered with NeoGraft® because of a common belief – the belief that every person suffering from hair loss deserves a desirable, discrete option that offers better results than the current established hair transplant methods and treatments. So if you find yourself struggling with hair loss or male pattern baldness, and looking for a procedure that provides the best results without impacting your daily routine, contact our friendly and experienced team today to set up a NeoGraft® consultation!