OK, so you've gotten advise from an economist, who clearly posted to the wrong question and some interesting information on genetic mutations. The fact of the matter is that the medical community don't really know why men lose their hair at the hairline and on the crown, while women generally thin out all over the scalp.
Some research and white papers point to the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which blocks the follicles and starves them of nutrition, ultimately causing atrophy of the follicle and then, death. There is some truth to this, yet anyone that is aware of the reduced production of testosterone as we age would have to say that it is counter intuitive, since we, as older men, have less of the hormone that causes DHT to be produced, so then why do we have more DHT?
Julie touched on a couple of other reasons that might cause hair loss and the difficulty is that there are many other considerations. Certainly, you would have to evaluate your environment, lifestyle choices (smoking, heavy drinking, stress, lack of sleep, living in polluted areas), diet and genetics. Perhaps it may seem overwhelming to evaluate your own background causes for it, but all you need do is quickly access which factors you believe are impacting you the most.
There are absolutely hundreds if not thousands of scam products out there promising to resolve hair loss. Hair plugs are not and have not been used for some years and the newer therapy is graphting, which doesn't give the appearance of a chia pet. Let's not get there just yet though, as hair graphting is very expensive, time consuming and painful.
While some would poo-poo natural therapies, the scientific community has started to understand that one reason for hair falling into the less robust anagen phase of growth (where hair grows slowly, faintly and ultimately leads to follicle death) is poor circulation. The nutrients needed to feed the follicle are restricted because of restricted blood supply. Not dissimilar to the discovery of Viagra for erectile dysfunction (ED), when researchers were exploring a treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD), so to is hair growth and health impacted by CVD.
That being said, both Propecia and Proscar were developed to alleviate enlarged prostates and have a side effect of limiting hair loss with some and I repeat some limited hair regrowth. Unfortunately, like most prescription drugs, they come with nasty side effects, like ED which I wouldn't recommend. You might also try Minoxidil, which most Western physicians automatically turn to since they are promoted the product, but don't waste your $50-100 a month as it doesn't promote substantial hair growth in most men and limits hair loss only while you are on it for the rest of your life. I have no bones to pick here with big pharma, I am only stating the facts that they themselves know are true, otherwise wouldn't everyone be using it that are losing hair?
As for nutrients, your hair needs Omega 3's and other essential fatty acids to maintain the growth cycles, including B vitamins like Biotin, B5 and B12. Minerals are important to hair growth as well including copper, zinc (use a dandruff shampoo that has zinc pyrithione in it, which has been shown to help clean the scalp and influence longer hair growth cycles), manganese, magnesium and others (anything that helps improve blood flow, will likely help improve hair growth). CoQ10 is also touted as a heart healthy nutrient that may help improve hair growth along with Pycnogenol, a strong antioxidant from French pine bark, but you can use a similar product from pacific pine bark and save plenty of money (you see, all companies want to promote their products for revenue and we all have to be vigilant when assessing the costs and benefits). You might also look for products that clean the scalp of follicle blocking DHT and product residue without damaging the scalp like wheat germ extract that induces increased circulation (causing a tingling sensation and redness of the scalp, which is good), or Nioxin which is one of the better scalp cleansers, using mint extract (a skin stimulator) to get the blood flowing on the scalp. You might also try saw palmetto, which is a safe and effective herbal ingredient that is used to reduce enlarged prostates (a competitor of Propecia and Proscar, but natural, with limited to no side effects. Big pharma doesn't like this one) and promote limited hair growth and stop hair loss.
As I myself began to use a number of the natural remedies to stop my hair loss, I also looked at a number of clinical studies that showed certain peptides (smaller proteins) caused hair growth in naked mice used to test various drug therapies for cancer. I looked into these peptides, but unfortunately they aren't available for off-label use just yet. We'll have to wait. One therapy that has shown remarkable results, is low light laser therapy (LLLT). Effectively bringing the benefits of hair growth that the sun produces, without the damaging UVA and UVB rays. The red and infrared light diodes induce increased blood circulation, along with the necessary nutrients required for healthy follicles. Research has also shown a change in the mitochondrial (power plant of the cell) efficiency and telomeres of the follicular cell (the ends of the chromosome that shrink and atrophy, that ultimately cause cell death), extending the health and vitality of the cell, effectively turning back the genetic damage and clock.
All this to say that your best option is a combination of LLLT with a topical stimulant and scalp cleanser on a daily basis. Thousands of clients have seen real and substantial benefits from this and as compared to the other therapies, is significantly better at stopping hair loss and regenerating the atrophied hair follicles. One reality is that if the follicle is dead, it cannot be regenerated (yet), so if you want to save you hair, do it before this happens and you can tell by getting your scalp digitally imaged, with a high powered hand microscope. Don't waste your money on the Hair Max laser comb, you'll likely need to sit under the soothing diodes for at least an hour a week for six months of treatment and then, depending on the progression of the hair loss, either every other week, or continue the regimen for another six months and then, that is it.
If you have any questions, of want to learn more about any of the natural, herbal of laser therapies for healthy and vital hair, don't hesitate to contact me at aeviuminstitute at yahoo or at 917-881-5613. I know how you feel and there are therapies that work, despite the nay sayers and many scam artists out there.
