Baldness in men has been a common problem for years. There are many myths surrounding male pattern baldness. It is not caused by wearing too tight of hats, but a genetic trait that is inherited. The chemical DHT causes hair follicles in predisposed areas to grow finer, weaker and eventually die. So what can men do if rocking a shaved head or constantly wearing a hat does not sound appealing? Hair transplant surgeries have become very popular and common among males of all ages. The recovery time is not bad compared to many other procedures. There may be some soreness or a numb feeling on the scalp for just a few days after.
Though the recovery time is light, results will take longer. On average it will take three to five months after the hair transplant for hair follicles to begin growing. Once the hair follicles begin growing, you will have this hair forever. Even in spots on the head where baldness used to occur, this will no longer happen. How does this work? Hair “donations” from spots on your neck or back of the head with thick, healthy hair will be grafted and placed on the weaker areas of the head where follicles have lost their ability to grow. These follicles are clearly healthy and are bald resistant. Luckily for most men, baldness occurs on the top of the head and along the hairline, leaving good grafting areas available.
The downside for men considering hair transplants may very well be the price of the procedure. Pricing is done per graft, running on average three to six dollars per graft. Men that have entire areas of their scalps without any hair, such as the entire top of the head, will require many more grafts. Depending on the area needing to be covered, the cost can range from $3500 to well over $10,000.
Since this procedure can be pricey, considering all options is a wise choice. Trying over the counter creams or talking to your doctor about other alternatives may be wise steps. However, if this has been an ongoing issue, talk to a specialist about scheduling a consultation. Since it is your own natural hair and the procedure only needs to happen once, it could be the best money you’ve ever spent.
