Male pattern hair loss affects over 50% of men over the age of 50 years and is usually a hereditary complaint, from either the man’s mother’s family or his father’s. In addition to the treatment provided by using Propecia, other remedies to try to resolve the problem are available.

The most widely used treatments used by men to try to counteract loss of hair, are natural as well as cosmetically based compounds, supplements and various shampoos. Users of these products swear by them and if it works for you then use it. Unlike Propecia, which works on the chemical imbalance found in men suffering from male pattern hair loss, these products clean the scalp which allows the hair follicles to breath and deliver important nutrients to the hair and follicle.

Surgical procedures are another method of counteracting loss of hair in men. This method works by transplanting skin, complete with hair follicles, from the healthy part of the scalp, usually the back of the head, to the desired frontal area. By implanting hair follicles from the back of the head to balding areas, the follicles continue to grow. It should be emphasised that the cause of baldness to the frontal area is genetic and healthy follicle units from the back of the head will continue to grow.

If you do not wish to use surgical procedures or try medication such as Propecia, wigs and toupees could provide the answer to hair loss problems. In Britain around one and a half million wigs or hair pieces are sold each year. Historically wigs are the oldest and most popular way of disguising hair loss. There are many modern and efficient ways of both manufacturing wigs, and keeping them firmly in place on the head. A well fitted wig can almost pass unnoticed, but does depend on the quality of this, which usually means it’s cost.

A Medical treatment which gained approval from the US FDA in 1998 is Rogaine, generically known as Minoxodil. This is a scalp treatment which is massaged into the area of baldness twice a day. The treatment is claimed to work by stopping the hair follicles from shrinking and even increasing their size, thus allowing new hair growth.

Men concerned with male pattern hair loss should take advice before embarking on any form of treatment; unbiased help is available on-line from www.ukmedix.com who will be happy to advise on suitable treatments.