ABOUT HAIR LOSS
The most frequently asked questions
Hair loss in men
Over 70% of all men are affected by hair loss at one time or another. We can therefore speak of a real widespread disease. Many men panic as soon as they realize that they are losing hair. They immediately start researching the subject of hair loss.
Male hair loss can be divided into different types and causes. In over 90% of cases, hair loss is hereditary and is referred to as "androgenetic alopecia". The clinical picture varies from man to man. In most men, hair loss begins at the front receding hairline and at the back of the head. The hair becomes thinner overall and can end up completely bald. Other men tend to experience diffuse hair loss that is evenly distributed over the top of the head. In Germany alone, 4.5 million men aged 20-50 are affected by hereditary hair loss. Medication can at best slow down hair loss, but not stop it completely.
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How do you recognize hereditary hair loss?
The average person loses up to 100 hairs per day. We often don't even notice this, but if you suddenly see an unusual amount of hair in your hand or on the shower floor when combing, styling or in the shower, this could indicate hair loss. At this stage, hair loss is usually not yet visually noticeable. This then changes over time. Hereditary hair loss begins in three different patterns:
- receding hairline and receding hairline
- "small island" at the back of the crown
- diffuse course distributed over the head
So if you notice hair loss over a longer period of time, e.g. on your clothes, there are many indications of genetic hair loss.
What is the cause of hair loss?
The sub-testosterone DHT is responsible
60-80% of all men in Germany suffer from hereditary hair loss. The technical term for this is "androgenetic alopecia". The main cause of this is the sex hormone testosterone. This produces the body's own messenger substance dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which attacks the hair root in the event of hypersensitivity. As a rule, only the main hair is affected; the hair on the sides of the temples is anatomically part of the body hair and is therefore spared.
In affected men, a particularly large amount of testosterone is converted into DHT. This damages the hair root, also known as the hair follicle, to a considerable extent. Once the hair has fallen out, it does not grow back.
How does hair loss progress?
From receding hairline to semicircular baldness
In principle, hair loss does not have to be inherited directly from father or mother to child. However, a genetic predisposition is passed on, which can appear in different forms and over different periods of time. Hair loss does not occur evenly, but in individual episodes. These episodes can vary from person to person. Generally, there is often a first episode around the age of 20 when the first hair falls out and hair density decreases. However, this is usually barely visible.
In the second step, the well-known receding hairline develops. With these, the hairline on the forehead moves further and further back. Depending on how pronounced they are, clear and deep incisions become visible. This is the typical harbinger of hereditary hair loss and often occurs between the ages of 20 and 30. In the final stage, the hair at the back of the head also thins out and a circular half bald patch (tonsure) forms.
Incidentally, the hair on the sides is part of the body hair and therefore has a different predisposition and is not affected by DHT in hereditary hair loss.
What are the effects of hair loss in men?
As visually different as the process may be, the emotional world of men affected by hair loss is very similar. The visual change is often accompanied by self-doubt and reduced self-confidence and even serious psychological problems. Many men no longer feel comfortable looking in the mirror. This leads to restrictions in everyday life, they avoid certain occasions or situations and feel less free. Now you could say: "It's just hair"!
However, there are few features that shape our visual appearance as much as our hair. A hairstyle or hairline changes the entire face, giving it a "frame". In addition, a full head of hair is perceived in our society as a sign of attractiveness and health.
Hereditary hair loss is aggravated by the fact that it often starts in the mid-20s, a time when men want to be in the "prime of their lives". While 50-year-old men often simply accept it as a sign of ageing, 25-year-old men experience hair loss in a completely different way. For this reason, research into causes and possible solutions often begins at a young age when hair loss first starts.
Can you stop hair loss?
If you suffer from hereditary hair loss, this is actually genetically inherited and therefore cannot simply be stopped. Unfortunately, you are predisposed to it and it will become more and more pronounced over time. What you may be able to influence is the speed and severity of the hair loss. However, the chances of success here are very individual and not sufficiently scientifically proven. It is therefore also a question of faith whether, for example, a healthy lifestyle, especially diet, actually makes a decisive contribution to maintaining a better hair appearance.
You should therefore not cling to this hope too much, but rather consider which solution methods are possible for you in the current situation or in the future. Here you can, for example, take the free online test to see whether you are suitable for a hair system and thus have a chance of guaranteed full hair.
Classic course of hereditary hair loss
What should I do?
The most popular solutions for hair loss
The bad news is that you cannot completely stop hereditary hair loss. The good news is that you can still do something to feel comfortable with your hair situation again. Which solution is right for you depends on many factors, including how advanced your hair loss is and what expectations you have of the result. You should definitely bear in mind that your hair loss will unfortunately continue to develop, so a different solution may be possible today than in 12 months' time. This is a decisive factor, especially with a hair transplant.
We give you as objective an overview as possible of the advantages and disadvantages of the most proven methods.
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Preventive products, such as shampoos or serums
Especially at the beginning, many sufferers quickly turn to caffeine shampoos that are supposed to combat hair loss. If they then realize that these do not improve their own hair situation, the intensive research continues. The market offers numerous forms of hair serum with a wide variety of active ingredients (e.g. minoxidil). As a rule, these promise to strengthen your hair and roots, thereby stopping or at least slowing down hair loss. This can be successful for a certain number of customers, but you should always be aware of one thing: lost hair will not come back once the roots have died.
Unfortunately, the drug with the greatest chances of success also has the biggest catch. We are talking about finasteride, a prescription hormone blocker. The drug was accidentally discovered in cancer research to be effective against hair loss and can be prescribed by a doctor. However, it is not for nothing that the package comes with a red information leaflet pointing out the sometimes serious side effects. These can include effects on the heart or libido. A real intervention in the body that should not be underestimated.
Optically concealing hair loss
A harmless and risk-free option is to conceal the hair loss in the best possible way. Of course, this only works up to a certain stage of hair loss and does not offer a long-term solution. Nevertheless, many sufferers resort to this option for several years in order to simply feel more comfortable when leaving the house.
What is the best way to conceal your hair loss?
First of all, the right haircut is important in terms of length and direction of cut in order to "distract" from the bald patches as much as possible. For men with fine, thin hair, the right styling products are essential to ensure that the hairstyle stays in place. It is also helpful to use a particularly fine brush that "bundles" your hair tightly to create more volume.
Finally, you can cover your bald patches with so-called bulk or stray hair. These are fine cotton flakes that adhere to your own hair and thus cover the bald patches. This creates the impression of full hair. The disadvantage of this method is its limited resilience in everyday life. In rain, strong winds or a visit to the outdoor pool, this construction is not as resistant.
Medical methods, such as hair transplantation or PRP method
Hair transplantation is extremely present in the media. Hair transplants have gained attention among men thanks to popular examples such as Jürgen Klopp. Many patients are drawn to the operating table with the desire for fuller hair for life. The great advantage of a successful outcome is the minimal effort involved in everyday life and the fact that it is still your own hair on your head.
Often, however, with an uncertain result and all the after-effects that an operation entails. In general, a Central European man has 120,000 hairs on his head. On average, 60,000 of these hairs form the main hair. During a transplant, up to 6,000 grafts (hair follicles) are placed. Other areas of the scalp hair have to be thinned out and can leave scars.
It often takes several hair transplants to achieve an optically reasonably dense result. However, the original density cannot be achieved through transplantation. In addition, this only becomes visible after a transplant after a period of up to 12 months, when the body has fully "accepted" the new hair and the hair has grown. Then the disappointment can be great, just as it can be after 2-3 years when the hair loss continues elsewhere.
The PRP method (platelet-rich plasma) is now frequently used as a preventative measure or in combination with a hair transplant.
Blood is first taken from the patient and centrifuged. The plasma separates from the red blood cells and is then injected into the scalp. Anesthesia is not necessary due to the quick, largely painless and shallow injection. The plasma is intended to improve blood flow to the hair roots. Several sessions are required for one treatment, which can be repeated every 6 months. Studies show varying success rates, but there is a consensus that the PRP method can be effective primarily in the early stages of hair loss.
Guaranteed full hair with hair system
As the hair loss phase progresses, the realization usually sets in that the desire for a full head of hair will no longer be possible with the patient's own hair, because as described, even a hair transplant will not bring back the usual density. This is where the hair system comes into play as a solution. Our innovative hair replacement consists of 100% human hair and is firmly bonded to the scalp. This ensures an absolutely natural look and great resilience in everyday life. Whether you are doing sport, sleeping or swimming - the hair system is firmly attached to you. Another big advantage is the guaranteed and quick result. You know exactly what you are getting in just 2-3 hours. Without risks and side effects.
A great solution that you can use regardless of how the hair loss progresses. Of course, with the restriction that it is not your own hair and you have to replace the hair system regularly. In return, however, you are guaranteed a full head of hair and a new quality of life.
You can either take the free test here "Am I suitable for a hair system?" or directly make an appointment for a free video consultation book.
Full hair in 2 hours - how is that possible?
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