Hair Restoration Treatment Boca Raton, FL

What it is:
Also known by its clinical name of Androgenic Alopecia, Dr. Halim explains that this common type of hair loss affects nearly 50% of men after the age of 35. However, the team of trichologists at Philip Kingsley say it could kick in at any age from puberty. They also say it’s not as simple as losing your hair. “If you have male pattern hair loss, this does not mean that your hair is falling out. Rather, it means that your individual hairs are growing back thinner and shorter over several years, through many progressive hair growth cycles.” The reason: a sensitivity in your hair follicles to male hormones called androgens—specifically one called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

When it hits:
“If you have inherited follicle sensitivity, it will be triggered at some point after puberty (which is when your body starts to produce testosterone). From then on, your hair follicles will gradually miniaturize and grow back thinner over the years, reducing the volume and length of your hair and making your scalp more visible. Eventually, hair follicles can become so small that they stop producing hair altogether,” the trichologists say.

What you can do about it:
Both the team of trichologists and Halim agree that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating male pattern hair loss. “In order to formulate the best treatment options for each individual, we must first assess the root cause as well as the type of hair loss,” Halim says. She lists various treatment options, from balancing hormones to stave off the further loss and thinning to popular, topical medications (both over-the-counter and prescription-only) such as Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) as well as oral medications like Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia), all the way up to platelet-rich plasma therapy and hair transplant/FUE grafts.

Your best bet is to see a doctor or trichologist—pronto. “The goal,” Halim explains, “is to diagnose the situation in the early stages to minimize loss, thinning, breakage, and stimulate dormant follicles.” If you end up having run-of-the-mill androgenic alopecia, you’ll most likely find results by sticking to a daily hair care routine that includes anti-androgenic scalp treatments, shampoos, and creams, in order to slow its progression.

What it is:
Also known by its clinical name of Androgenic Alopecia, Dr. Halim explains that this common type of hair loss affects nearly 50% of men after the age of 35. However, the team of trichologists at Philip Kingsley say it could kick in at any age from puberty. They also say it’s not as simple as losing your hair. “If you have male pattern hair loss, this does not mean that your hair is falling out. Rather, it means that your individual hairs are growing back thinner and shorter over several years, through many progressive hair growth cycles.” The reason: a sensitivity in your hair follicles to male hormones called androgens—specifically one called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

When it hits:
“If you have inherited follicle sensitivity, it will be triggered at some point after puberty (which is when your body starts to produce testosterone). From then on, your hair follicles will gradually miniaturize and grow back thinner over the years, reducing the volume and length of your hair and making your scalp more visible. Eventually, hair follicles can become so small that they stop producing hair altogether,” the trichologists say.

What you can do about it:
Both the team of trichologists and Halim agree that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating male pattern hair loss. “In order to formulate the best treatment options for each individual, we must first assess the root cause as well as the type of hair loss,” Halim says. She lists various treatment options, from balancing hormones to stave off the further loss and thinning to popular, topical medications (both over-the-counter and prescription-only) such as Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) as well as oral medications like Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia), all the way up to platelet-rich plasma therapy and hair transplant/FUE grafts.

Your best bet is to see a doctor or trichologist—pronto. “The goal,” Halim explains, “is to diagnose the situation in the early stages to minimize loss, thinning, breakage, and stimulate dormant follicles.” If you end up having run-of-the-mill androgenic alopecia, you’ll most likely find results by sticking to a daily hair care routine that includes anti-androgenic scalp treatments, shampoos, and creams, in order to slow its progression.

What it is:
This type of men’s hair loss occurs as the result of a stressful occurrence within the body, whether caused by physical or mental trauma, stress, or certain types of medication. Basically, the hair’s growth phase (anagen) is cut short by said disturbance, resulting in an abnormal amount of hairs shifting to the shedding phase (telogen), causing excessive daily hair fall. How much is excessive? “On average, it’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day, provided they are growing back,” say the trichologists. “However, telogen effluvium can result in as many as 300 hairs being shed in a 24-hour period.”

They explain that telogen effluvium might not be as permanent as typical male pattern hair loss, and its severity and impact correlate to the extremity of whatever’s causing it. 

When it hits:
If you suddenly find yourself with a handful of hair, the trichologists recommend thinking back two to three months for a potential cause, as hair loss caused by telogen effluvium typically occurs six-to-twelve weeks after the event that may have triggered it.

What you can do about it:
Even if you’re certain you know what caused your hair to shed, if you think you’re dealing with telogen effluvium, the trichologists say a visit to either your doctor or a trichologist is still your best option. There you can be tested for other factors that can affect hair growth, from nutritional deficiencies (which we’ll get into in a minute) to thyroid function to scalp health, and formulate a plan to deal with it.

There are a few lifestyle factors that some studies suggest could help explain why do men go bald. 

Nutritional deficiencies: Halim explains that in certain people, a lack of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B6, B12, and E, minerals including zinc, and other trace minerals can have adverse effects on hair growth and regrowth.

What you can do about it:
She recommends sticking to a diet rich in lean proteins as well as plenty of nuts, seeds, and healthy fats (all rich in omega-3s) to provide your hair with the nutrients it needs to stay soft and healthy. She also points out that exercise is essential to improve overall circulation and deliver oxygen and nutrients to your hair. 

Smoking:
“Just as smoking has adverse effects on your overall health, lungs, heart, and circulation, it can also affect hair by decreasing the perfusion of oxygen to hair follicles as well as vital nutrients, along with inflammation of the hair follicles,” Halim says. 

What you can do about it: Quit smoking. 

Underlying health conditions: Thyroid dysfunction, hormone imbalances, various prescription medications, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes can all play a part in hair loss. Halim says that any chronic condition that triggers inflammation or impacts the delivery of vital nutrients and oxygen to our vital organs—scalp and hair follicles included—can result in hair thinning and/or loss, as it prolongs the resting (telogen) phase of the hair cycle.

What you can do about it:
Consulting with a doctor or trichologist will invariably involve a blood test which can help diagnose many of the conditions we’ve just listed. From there, you can develop a healthier lifestyle that includes a diet designed to reduce inflammation and other necessary changes.