The naked truth about baldness
Baldness affects millions of man worldwide. People spend huge money to prevent or revive the damage of hair follicle from where hair grows. But like other living cells, hair follicles can be damaged. Damaged follicles stop growing hair. If the problem is mild, the follicle recovers and resumes hair growth. For example, severe physical or emotional stress can damage hair follicles, halting hair growth. That is why people often lose hair two or three months after a major illness or traumatic life event. This type of hair loss is compensable and your hair is likely to grow back within a few months, even without treatment. But severe damage may permanently stop hair growth. For example, medication can damage hair follicles; chemotherapy drugs are the leading examples. Less often, toxic chemicals, radiation or infection can cause hair loss. Skin diseases that leave scarring can also lead to hair loss that may be permanent. These problems are all uncommon. Contrary to popular belief, common woes like seborrhea (a skin condition marked by an itchy red rash and white scales) and dandruff do not cause hair loss. Male-patterned baldness is called androgenic alopecia, and it sounds like a disease. But by age 50, half of all healthy men have male pattern baldness. It may cause anguish, but it is just part of the human condition. Doctors don't think of male pattern baldness as an illness. Some men turn to scalp surgery and hair transplants, others to wigs and toupees. Among several drugs approved, two medications remain standing; both can help, but neither is a miracle cure for baldness. Minoxidil tablets are a prescription drug for hypertension. But for more than 10 years it has been available as a nonprescription lotion for hair loss. It works by prolonging the growth phase of hair follicles that are still active but its benefits last only while you use it regularly. It is more effective for bald spots than receding hairlines, but it is only partially effective at that. Finasteride is an oral prescription medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone which stimulates growth of hair follicle. Although the drug had positive results, they were hardly dramatic. It cannot revive hair follicles that are inactive, it will not help men who are already bald. Men who find the drug helpful will have to continue taking it indefinitely to maintain even modest improvements. The drug is generally safe, but 1 to 2 percent of men experience diminished sexual drive (libido) and potency, which rebound when they stop taking the drug. From a medical point of view, there is no need to treat male pattern baldness. At best, the treatments are expensive and only partially effective. Although treatment is generally safe, some men may experience side effects. Take a look in the mirror and think it over. And before you decide, try to imagine how Hollywood celebrities Michael Jordan, Bruce Willis or Chris Daughtry. ................................................ Source: health.msn.com
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