.Although most researchers agree that family
history (heriditary) does play a role in male pattern
hair loss, there is some disagreement and confusion
on whether it's inherited from the mother's or the
father's side of the family. According to one recent
2005 study conducted in Germany, heriditary hair
loss was narrowed down "...to a series
of areas on various chromosomes. In an area where
the largest contribution was suspected lay the gene
for the androgen receptor.
" (1)
The study goes on to point out that
the gene for the androgen receptor lays with the
X chromosome, which men inherit from their mothers.
Therefore, a man's hairline tends to take on the
characteristics of his maternal grandfather. However,
the study is quick to point out that the hereditary
genes of male pattern hair loss are not that simple
and clear cut with only one usual suspect (gene).
"We have
indications that other genes are involved
which are independent of the parents'
sex," Prof. Nöthen stresses..
The hereditary defect can therefore
sometimes also be passed on directly from
father to son. (1)
As the debate and
research continues for a genetic trail
continues, men are left to deal with
their fading youth and searching for
treatment options.
Frontal Hair Transplants
for Receding Hairlines
According to many hair
transplant doctors we've spoken to, the majority of
male patients they treat are looking to
turn back the clock on their receding
hairlines.
"The first thing
you see when looking at a person is their
frontal hairline," one doctor
said. "When the hairline is
receding, it makes you look older."
One Hair Transplant
Doctor reports that by establishing a new
hairline with 1 and 2 follicular unit
hair grafts, they can make many of their
patients look younger again with a
natural looking hair transplant..
"That's what
shows a youthful appearance,"
he said. "Establishing a new
hairline gives them the ability to look
younger and takes 5 to 10 years off their
appearance."
To rebuild a natural
looking hairline with hair transplants,
Hair Transplant Doctors said patients
need the smallest, most natural looking
hair grafts as possible. "They
don't get any smaller then 1 or 2
hairs," one said. When
implanting the grafts, hair transplant
doctors stagger them so they are
implanted like: - . - . - . - . -
. and not in a straight line
like: . . . . . . . .
"By staggering those 1 hair follicular
units," he explained, "we can
give patients a new hairline that is natural looking
and undetectable."
Finasteride and Minoxidil
For the longest time, minoxidil and
finasteride (brand names = Rogaine and Propecia)
were thought to be ineffective for frontal hair
loss but recent studies have shown they have had
some success in treating FRONTAL
hair loss.
 However, it should be quickly pointed out this does
not include hair loss in the temple regions.
Dermatologists, hair transplant doctors and scientists
do not necessarily include the temple regions in
the frontal hair loss classification. Hair loss
along the temples is not the same as frontal hair
loss. Refer to the baldness map for clarification:
According to the official Propecia
website: "There is not sufficient evidence
that PROPECIA works for receding hairlines at the
temples."
When it comes to stopping a receding
hairline, most experts agree that a finasteride
user's main goal should be to maintain his hair
count, ie: to not lose any additional hair. Finasteride
has proven to be most effective in this regard.
If any new hair growth is achieved, it should be
viewed as a bonus to one's hair loss treatment.
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