Male Pattern Baldness

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A Guide to Taking Finasteride for Male Pattern Baldness and Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness is a natural part of the aging process in men. It can still be a concern amongst men. As per a paper published on the topic of male Androgenetic Alopecia (MAA) on the official website of the National Library of Medicine, MAA affects around 30-50% of men after the age of 50. To cater to this problem, it is crucial for the doctor to properly understand the causes of hair loss and find possible treatments. This can help restore confidence and a youthful look among the affected people.

Possible alternatives to hair transplant

While a hair transplant is the ultimate treatment for male pattern baldness, it is invasive and expensive as compared to other non-invasive treatments. Moreover, due to the involvement of surgery, people often feel jittery about opting for a hair transplant procedure. For all such people, doctors suggest the regular use of several alternatives whose effect may last up to a few months to a few years. Prominent of these options include

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Therapy
Low-level Light (LLLT) Therapy
Steroid injections
Scalp micropigmentation

Besides, doctors also recommend the use of coconut oil, aloe vera, onion juice, and biotin. In addition, proper intake of iron and zinc in the diet also helps to deal with the situation of male pattern baldness to some extent.

Finasteride – A widely preferred medication

While all these methods are effective in their respective ways, most physicians suggest men use regular Medications – Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine) to recuperate their hair loss condition.

Doctors find it highly effective as compared to a placebo. A research report also inferred the same, which is evident by the data in the table below.If you are wondering about a placebo, it is a dummy pill used for clinical trials or medical research. It assists scientists in evaluating the degree of efficacy of a new healthcare procedure, with the help of a dummy medicine. A placebo can be anything from a salt-water injection to a sugar pill or even fake surgery.

Parameter	Finasteride Group	Placebo Group
Hair Count Improvement	83%	28%
Mechanism of Action	Suppresses DHT	Placebo
Duration of Study	Two years	Two years

This blog discusses Finasteride in detail. It gives comprehensive information on the complexities of male pattern baldness, dosage of finasteride, its effects, dosage, and everything else that you should know before proceeding with your anti-hair fall regime. Let’s start with a deeper insight into male pattern baldness.

Understanding Baldness and Hair Loss in Men

Male Pattern Baldness or androgenetic alopecia is usually a hereditary condition amongst men. Besides, several hormonal changes, especially the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone, can cause this problem.

In this condition, a person’s hair follicles can shrink considerably, which thins the hair. The person eventually starts losing a lot of hair in the long run. A receding hairline and balding on various spots on the head are clear examples of this condition. It can severely affect one’s confidence and appearance if not handled promptly.

What is Finasteride and what does it do?

Finasteride is the Holy Grail medicine for those suffering from Male Pattern Baldness. It is a medication under the category of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Its functionality, based on the category, is all about inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT and affects hair growth in men. With the overall reduction of DHT in the body, Finasteride is efficiently able to prevent the shrinking of hair follicles and promote regrowth of the hair. Here are the findings of a renowned pharmacy regarding the consumption of Finasteride - the active ingredient contained in Propecia.

The medicine has successfully proven to be effective in 90% of the men taking it in the context of male pattern baldness.
People observed a break in hair fall within 6 to 12 months of using it
66% of respondents even confirmed a regrowth of their hair on its consumption

Nevertheless, you will need to consume propecia (consisting of Finasteride) for at least up to 3 months to observe the initial results. The best outcome will reflect on the consumption of this medicine regularly for 12 months.

Benefits of Finasteride

This medicine is beneficial for those suffering from androgenetic alopecia. Its primary benefit lies in its ability to slow down hair loss and promote hair regrowth in men. With consistent consumption, the patients can experience thicker and healthier hair, leading to a marked improvement in their appearance and self-confidence. The mode of administration of Finasteride is in the form of tablets, which makes the consumption much easier as prescribed. Finasteride is thus a convenient option, seamlessly fitting into daily routines.

Necessary Precautions

Finasteride works like magic for affected men, but there should be precautions in all cases. Do not start consuming Finasteride or any medicine without consultation. Pregnant women shall not consume this medicine to avoid any type of absorption, which can have adverse effects on the fetus. Your dosage and intake of Finasteride can furnish the best result when planned by a physician or a hair therapist. It is better to follow their guidelines as they have successfully analyzed your current state and medical history before recommending the necessary drugs.

Dosage of Finasteride

The standard dosage of Finasteride for male pattern baldness is typically 1 milligram per day, taken orally with or without food. It is vital to adhere to the prescribed dosage and the instructions provided by the healthcare provider for optimal results. Consistency in consumption is key; it is advisable not to miss even a single dose. In case you miss one, doubling the next dose to compensate is not advisable.

Taking Finasteride for Hair Loss

Finasteride is a beneficial medication for hair loss patients. However, it has its systematic process in which the patients must consume it to inflict positive changes. Moreover, it has a certain efficacy period. Here is a detailed analysis of these attributes so you can know better.

Consumption

Initiating Finasteride signifies the start of a transformative journey toward hair restoration and improved self-confidence.
Regular and timely consumption, preferably at the same time every day, ensures a consistent presence of the medication in the system, maximizing its effectiveness.
Setting reminders or integrating them into daily routines can facilitate this regularity better.

Effect

The effects of Finasteride, just like any regular medication, are not immediate. On top of that, every person may experience effects at different intervals of time based on their health and conditions.

Hair regrowth and increased thickness often take several months to become visible.
It is advisable to maintain patience during this process and stay consistent with your dosage.
Have regular checkups with your doctor in between, and monitor yourself to observe changes as they take place.

Efficiency Period

Just like with effects, the duration of effects also differs from person to person.
While some people experience an improvement in their condition within a few months, others may need much more time than that.
You should continue with your medication regularly to see changes.
Have regular consultations to see if you are making good progress.

Risks

Finasteride is not a harmful medication.
There are risks, but they mostly rely on the individual’s carelessness.
Avoid mishandling or mixing up the medicine to avoid any future complications.
Do not increase or decrease dosage by yourself; your hair expert knows better.
Before starting it, always consult a doctor to make sure you are in the right state to consume it or if you require it.

Conclusion

Finasteride can be a transformative medication for those suffering from Male Androgenetic Alopecia (MAA) or male pattern baldness. Male Pattern Baldness is a form of hair loss that affects many men throughout their lives as they age. Finasteride acts as an important medicine that, when consumed according to proper prescriptions. It can inhibit hair loss-causing enzymes in your body and promote hair regrowth.

It would be wise to approach your physician or hair expert immediately as you notice hair loss patterns. This will help the doctor to suggest whether you are ready for the consumption of Finasteride or whether a hair transplant is the only solution left. If the medicine can repair the damage, it’s great news. Make sure to follow the prescription schedule given to you properly. With patience and discipline, you too can embark on the journey of hair re-growth and even succeed at it.

Author: admin

Things to Know about FUE Transection Rate Before Opting for a Hair Tra

Do you know over 50% of women and 60% of men suffer from hair loss around the globe? The most common reason for hair loss is Androgenetic alopecia, which is a semi-natural process that depends on the genetics of the person and needs medications.

Unfortunately, no medication can restore the already lost hair. A hair transplant is hence the only treatment that offers promising effects.

A hair transplant procedure requires the surgeon to extract hairs from one donor site and transplant them to the affected area, where they can continue to grow later. Dr. Orentreich was the first to introduce the hair transplantation procedure in the 1950s. He used to perform the Punch Hair Transplant. Over time, hair transplant has become a popular and widely embraced treatment for hair restoration.

Today, Follicular Unit Hair Transplant (FUT), and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) are the most commonly used procedures for hair transplant. The patients experience more permanent results from this procedure than any other hair restoration treatment. Let’s know about these treatments before delving deeper into FUE transection.

FUT or Follicular Unit Transplantation

The most frequently used technique in the later 1990s, this method needs the harvesting of hair follicles from the donor area by getting a single skin strip from the donor area. In this method, the surgeon removes a scalp strip from the back portion of the head, segregates it into separate grafts, and then transplants it to the recipient area.

It is a relatively quick and cost-effective procedure as compared to FUE. However, it may leave a scar at the donor site. The time taken during the treatment depends on the count of hair grafts transplanted. Among the risks associated with FUT may include bleeding, graft failure, scarring, infection, and loss of hair in the donor zone.

FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction

The FUE procedure is gaining immense popularity as an alternative to FUT in specific cases. In this method, the individual extraction of hair grafts takes place from the donor area. With time, various achievements and research works have resulted in overcoming the difficulties of extracting grafts from the donor site through the FUE method.

Experts carry out this treatment through either the two-step procedure or the three-step procedure. However, in the second procedure, the graft yield is a lot better than the previous one.

A 2010 study about Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant published by the National Library of Medicine revealed an increase in the graft yield from 92% to 98% by the two-step method. The same study revealed a growth of the hair yield from 74% to 93% by the three-step method. The latter method is however better in avoiding follicular transection and in protecting the follicular units on the scalp.

What is the transection rate?

The word ‘Transection’ refers to the cut or division created on the scalp to perform an FUE hair transplant. A transection rate of under 10 is quite normal. However, it is vital to reduce the transection rate because a patient can only have a limited amount of donor follicles.

The lesser the transection rate, the better are the results, which eventually unleashes the importance of approaching a board-certified surgeon. As per stats, a skilled surgeon will have a transection rate of about 5% while an inexperienced surgeon is likely to have a transection rate between 20 to 75%.

Before choosing a surgeon for undergoing FUE, it is therefore important to have a clear idea of the transection rate of that surgeon. This means patients must select a clinic that uses advanced tools to perform the surgery with total quality control under the guidance of an experienced hair transplant expert.

How do hair transections happen?

Hair transections result during the two different stages of hair transplant in both FUT and FUE: When extracting hair follicles from the donor site and while implanting the follicles in the recipient area.

Transections happen during FUT when the scalpel cuts through the follicle or damages the hair bulb. In contrast, transections happen during FUE when applying more pressure to the scalp when buying grants with incorrect or blunt instruments.

Patients must choose the best clinic and surgeon to undergo a hair transplant procedure without any issues.

Avoiding hair transections

Surgeons can avoid hair transections by using the correct tools. It is better to choose a clinic with skilled doctors who prefer using the latest and most effective tools for hair transplant procedures. A hair transplant done by a skilled surgeon is likely to leave minimal chances of scarring to the naked eye. It also reduces the risk of transection significantly.

How successful are hair transplants?

According to a report in 2021, more than 703,000 hair transplant methods took place around the world. Cases that observed above 90% of hair grafts acquired roots and witnessed the growth of new hair were successful. In case, the grafts do not attain this 90% benchmark, the method can still be successful if the patient experiences good hair growth after surgery. Notably, FUE hair transplants have one of the highest success rates, which is near about 95% to 100%. An FUE hair transplant attains success when more than 60%-70% of grafts survive after the treatment.

More about FUE hair transplant

The ideal candidate for this procedure should adhere to the following conditions
Women and men who are facing a stabilized pattern of hair loss
An individual whose loss of hair has progressed beyond class 3 or more on the Norwood scale
Women and men with a good density of hair follicles around the donor sites of the scalp
Women and men with similar hair and skin color, such as light hair and light skin, or dark hair and dark skin
Expectations after the procedure

Usually, the recovery time after surgery is around 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the patient must follow post-operative instructions carefully. This will help the patient to have a clear understanding of the perfect methods to care for their health, and after 8 to 12 months, they will notice good hair growth.

Things to remember

The patients must sleep on their backs with their heads a little bit elevated on several soft pillows.
In case of an itchy scalp, they have to use an antihistamine pill after consulting the surgeon.
It is crucial to stay protected against direct sunlight for the first few weeks after the surgery.

Side effects of FUE hair transplant procedure

In some rare situations, some patients may experience a few side effects of FUE hair transplant surgery, such as pain, mild soreness, swelling, or discomfort. However, most of these will reduce on their own.

Benefits after FUE hair transplant

Some important benefits of FUE hair transplant include as below:
It will not give you any visible scars.
It is generally suitable for almost everyone.
This procedure will help in growing short hair in the transplanted sites. Therefore, it is perfect for those who love short hairlines.
This surgery is effective as it can offer a natural outlook, and does not cause any trauma.
With FUE, a skilled surgeon can easily transplant numerous grafts in a single session

Therefore, before opting for an FUE hair transplant procedure, you must know about the transection rate, along with the experience and reputation of the surgeon to enjoy good hair growth.

Lessons Learnt

Surgeons may carry out any of the FUT and FUE hair transplant procedures depending on their individual preferences and the condition of the patient’s scalp. Still, due to various plus points, FUE scores better than the FUT method. In either case, the transection rate plays an important role in the selection of an experienced hair transplant surgeon. The expert with a transection rate of around 5% would be ideal to choose for the procedure. This will ensure the best results with a lesser number of cuts on your scalp. Do visit our website to find a surgeon with high-end expertise and a decreased transection rate.

Author: admin