What if Your Husband Started to Go Bald?

What if your husband started to go bald? It's like a dream that slowly unfurls into a nightmare, and what is worse is that you see your husband struggling with it. Going bald not only entails a physical change, it can also be a blow to a person's body image, self-esteem and confidence. And it is only right that you help him out, and what better way to start than to know the facts.

Causes

Male hair loss

First you have to understand that male hair loss can be caused by several factors. It is important that the root cause of the hair loss is determined because this will help you arrive at an appropriate and effective treatment.

Genetic

Hair loss can be caused by men’s genetic makeup, hence the term androgenetic alopecia. It has long been a myth that baldness comes from the mother's side, but this isn't necessarily so. Baldness can come from either parent. So if you notice your husband to have bald relatives, his heritage just might be a good reason.

Hormones

Baldness can also be due to hormonal changes. This process is triggered by the primary male hormone, testosterone. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase turns testosterone into a more potent form which is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When there is a significant amount of this hormone in the blood it eventually affects the hair follicles. It shortens the growth phase of the hair, decreases its size or miniaturizes it, and eventually produces shorter or finer hairs. 

You will notice significant shedding; the ones left on your husband’s head eventually thin out, and gradually these hairs will totally disappear resulting in baldness. This type of baldness is characterized by progressing in a certain pattern, which is also why it is called male pattern baldness.

Age

Aging is usually the common reason for baldness, which is why some regard their hair loss to be a normal process. This somehow makes it easier for some to accept their lot, and for others to simply forgo treatment. Almost all men go bald by the time they reach their sixties, but the age in which hair loss starts actually vary. Some have it much earlier, while others tend to develop it much later on.

Tests & Evaluations

If you find your husband’s hairs to be shedding, it is important to get a definitive reason as to why this is happening. That is if you are proactive in getting your locks back. There are tests to do just that, and you can go through them in order to narrow down what is really doing damage to your hair.

Physical evaluation

This type of assessment will only be mainly on the physical aspect. The doctor will check the characteristic of the hair loss, the quality of your hair, and the degree of baldness your husband experiencing. The doctor will also get your partner’s medical history, family history, any illness or treatment you are having and even your diet. All these will be probed into so that the doctor will be able to trace probable causes.

Hair Analysis

During this procedure, the doctor will take a sample the hair and examine it through a microscope. In some cases, a small portion of the scalp may also be taken for close inspection.

Blood Exams

These exams will help determine the type of underlying condition that may be causing the hair loss. Blood chemistry will show diabetes, lupus, overactive and underactive thyroid, which are some of the usual causes, and also point out other conditions that may also be causing the hair to shed excessively.

Hair Loss Treatments

Thankfully there are several treatments to male pattern hair loss. Some that can be done on your own, while others need the expertise of a doctor. But if you want to make sure that you get right into the root of the problem right away, it is important that you get medical advice as early as possible.

Here are some of the treatments available for hair loss that your husband can choose from.

Medications

When you treat a certain condition, it is best to start with conservative measures first. One of the first defences against progressive hair loss would be oral medications. This is the easiest one to maintain and it is long been proven to be effective. The two big brands in hair loss medications are Minoxidil and Finasteride. The first requires a prescription and is used for male and female hair loss; while Finasteride does not need a prescription and it helps slow hair loss only in men.

However, you have to understand that medications will always have their side effects. One of the problems with Finasteride in particular is that it produces sexual side effects which can be a major issue. These you have to consider and discuss with the doctor so that you will be properly guided with a treatment plan that will work for your husband.

Another concern with hair loss medications is that you have to take these regularly to maintain its therapeutic effects. This also means shelling money for the rest of your years, and also opening up your body to a handful of side effects or adverse reactions. As a wife, it is good that you discuss this issue together, because the treatment process can also affect you, the family or your budget, one way or another.

Laser devices

Laser devices are becoming a preferable treatment for hair loss given its reputation for its level of effectiveness and non-invasiveness. Today you can find laser brushes, combs and a number of hand-held devices. These emit low level laser light that stimulate hair growth and also make the hair grow healthy and appear more youthful. But the drawback about such devices is that they have not undergone rigorous testing to assess its safety and effectiveness for long term use.

Hair transplant Surgery

This treatment is considered to be last options because of its invasive nature. Hair transplant has been in practice for many years now, and it has far improved since then. Hair transplant surgery is a delicate procedure that should only be entrusted to someone who is trained, certified and experienced in performing it.

Hair transplant involves the removal of hair grafts from donor sites, which is found at the back of the head. This entails creating a linear scar in which the part of the scalp containing the donor grafts is removed. The grafts are then carefully removed from the scalp tissue using a very high powered microscope.

Another approach is a punch graft technique where the hair grafts are removed individually directly from the scalp using a special instrument that will punch a hole around it. The surgeon prepares the balding area then transplant the hair grafts in a very meticulous fashion. The aesthetic of the overall outcome is a very critical aspect of the success of this procedure, so a surgeon with a good eye for it is someone you should trust, if ever you choose this treatment.

There are a lot of men, even famous athletes like Wayne Rooney, who trust in this procedure. And you can see that it did work out very well for them. But you both have to discuss the cost, downtime and the lengthy recovery period. Your assistance for him during this time will be very important, which is why planning it together promotes better outcome.

Scalp reduction

Another invasive treatment that can help get rid of that increasingly balding spot, a scalp reduction may be a good answer. A piece of the scalp may have to be removed to lessen the bald spot and the remaining skin which is covered in hair will be stretched to cover the area. These surgical procedures may be promising but they can be expensive. Scalp reduction and hair transplant can cost you thousands, and expose you to the possible risk of infection and scarring. But this is not to dissuade you, because these are some of the things you really have to consider if you want to enjoy the aesthetic benefits surgical treatments provide.

Hair loss and even the road to getting over it can be a challenging feat. For someone who really wants to regain their hair, this can really be a stressful and frustrating time, but you can be there to support. With what you know now, you can better help them with their options, and what may probably work well for your budget or lifestyle. But regardless of what measures you do decide to take, the best way that you can really help your husband get through with it is your full support.

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If you have questions about hair transplant, please call 1300 378 336 or visit this website: www.esteemstudio.com.au.