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by Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS
We can thank Dad for plenty of things this Father’s Day. From teaching us how to throw a football with the perfect spiral to the proper way to shave, the father-son bond is one that can’t be explained but rather felt.
With all of the great things that dad has provided us through the years, there’s one thing that we aren’t so thankful for — the emotional toll of hair loss. It’s not just about the physical change, but also the impact on our self-esteem and confidence.
Every June, I dedicate my article to all the men to shed some light on the impact of a father’s genetics on hair loss. You don’t have to be a dad yet to be weary of your hairline. Some men experience this phenomenon in their late teens to early twenties. And if you think it’s just you going through this, here’s some perspective — nearly a third of the male population experience hair thinning before age 35. The number jumps to half of men by the time they reach half a century.
While being proactive about your hair’s health certainly has benefits, it’s hard to beat the role of genetics in hair loss. And no, the theory about hair loss passing down through the mother is, in fact, a fallacy, so you can delete that angry paragraph you were about to send mom. Hair loss can stem from either parent, making dad just as much of a culprit.
Male pattern hair loss can be boiled down to a simple combination of genetics as mentioned above mixed with hormones. More specifically, androgens, a substance that plays a significant role in the development and management of masculine traits. While I could delve into the various androgens at play, I want to focus solely on the most prominent fugitive in hair loss, DHT.
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is a chemical made from testosterone that in some instances, can cause men’s hair follicles to basically fade over time while also producing thinner and more fragile hair. In layman’s terms, this is male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. If you’ve noticed a receding hairline along with a sparse amount of hair up top toward the crown, you’re one of the many men experiencing AA. And while some guys can rock the George Costanza look, I understand wanting that full head of hair you once donned back in your hay day.
And before you go pointing the finger at dad for passing down lower levels of testosterone compared to other men, your levels are more than likely normal — you’re just more likely to be sensitive to DHT.
You’re probably wondering how you can repay dad for all he’s done for you. I’m not trying to pat myself and my team on the back, but Bauman Medical, a trusted name in hair restoration, has not only dad but also your hair covered. We’re here to promote hair growth and put an end to hair loss, backed by our expertise and proven results. Here are some of the most popular and most effective treatments for male pattern hair loss.
Regenerative, Non-Invasive Treatments
PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma
Give us one hour of your time, and we’ll give you back thicker, fuller, healthier hair. PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma, is a no-risk, high-reward procedure that harnesses the healing power of your own blood. Our team of experts will draw a tiny blood sample from you, which will then be processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These concentrated platelets will be injected back into your scalp, stimulating hair growth. Even with all the drawings and injections, PRP is painless thanks to the local anesthesia we’ll apply. All it takes is one hour and one treatment, to start your journey to a fuller head of hair.
PDOgroTM
Like PRP, our cutting-edge PDOgroTM procedure couples PRP with our state-of-the-art thin and absorbable polydioxanone threads. PDOgroTM will stimulate endogenous collagen production, elastin, hyaluronic acid, new blood vessel formation, and fibroblast activity as an FDA-cleared synthetic absorbable material. You’re probably thinking, “That’s cool, but how does that help my scalp?” Well, when bonded with PRP, hair regrowth will begin. This process has been clinically shown to be more effective than a singular PRP session.
TED
I’m not talking about TED Talks here but TransEpidermal Delivery (TED sounds much better, I know). TED painlessly serves as an outlet for growth serum delivery into your scalp. Within this serum, your scalp will receive amino acids, dynamic growth factors, and cutting-edge peptides that, in turn, increase blood flow, secure hair fibers, and stimulate hair follicles for optimal scalp health. Say hello to thicker and stronger hair.
The best part about TED? There are no needles and no pain. This is achieved by combining sound waves and air pressure. In less than half an hour, your treatment is done, and you’re on your way to that head of hair you once loved.
TED w/Exosomes
When it comes to hair loss, I always want to keep up to date, which has led me to becoming well versed on exosomes. The latest buzz in all things regenerative medicine, exosomes play an integral role in cellular communication.
Much like PRP, exosomes serve as a way to cultivate hair growth thanks to the growth factors and proteins they carry. Healing and tissue regeneration come as a result of this, making TED with exosomes a duo almost as good as father and son.
Low-Level Laser Hair Regrowth Devices
Turbo LaserCap
Forget getting dad a baseball cap. Instead, opt for my medical grade Bauman Turbo LaserCap®! While I’m sure he loves repping the Marlins or his favorite sports team, I have a hunch he would much rather be repping a full head of hair. In less than half an inning of baseball, this medical-grade low-level laser therapy cap will improve his hair quality, strength, and thickness in only five minutes. Not only that, but it also cultivates hair growth, too.
Not Your Grandfather’s Hair Transplants
FUE
Sometimes, you have to go a bit beyond regenerative practices to see results. Some guys might hear hair transplants and think of an unnatural-looking do. But with advancements in the field, transplant procedures have become more effective and one-hundred percent natural.
Say goodbye to that receding hairline, thinned-out crown, and other affected areas, as FUE (follicular unit extraction) is a fan favorite at Bauman Medical. With a variety of choices depending on your situation, we will harvest individual hair follicles directly from the scalp, in turn replacing the older, invasive method of strip harvesting. All of this is done via robotics or with specialized mechanical instruments, ensuring a safe and efficient procedure. Imagine the confidence and joy of seeing your hairline artistically restored with no linear scar to hide, and that’s what FUE can offer you.
As a result, a FUE hair transplant allows follicles to be harvested without any linear scar to show. Not only that, but you will also have a rapid recovery with added comfort. Ditch those hair plugs that you might have seen grandpa don and stay with the times with FUE.
VIP|FUETM
When I said FUE has options, this is what I was referring to. The VIP|FUE™ is all about making this procedure as undetectable as possible, starting with no shaving and no trimming. There’s no need to fret about losing those locs or having to get staples and stitches taken out. It’ll be like we weren’t even there. And to go along with it, the VIP|FUE™ may allow you to see immediate results with our “long-hair preview” because I know how excited you’ll be to see that mane flowing again.
Learn More
With all of these choices, I can imagine it’s hard to pick which one suits dad the best. Save the hard decision making for him by giving him a Bauman Medical gift e-card available on our eStore. And for the sons out there, there’s no time like the present to protect your scalp from dad’s gift of hair loss. No matter what you choose for dad and yourself, just know that the Bauman Medical Team and I are here for you and your scalp.
Call 561-220-3480 to schedule a private one-on-one in-person or virtual consultation at www.baumanmedical.com.
561-220-3480
