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Male pattern baldness, one of the commonest causes of hair loss in men, creeps in relatively early in most men susceptible to balding. Now, you might wonder why some male heads continue to sprout a thick, luxuriant growth while others have a bald spot. Research has revealed that androgenic alopecia - or male pattern baldness, is due to the presence of a substance called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a by-product of the hormone testosterone. All men have DHT but only men with a certain genetic predisposition have hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT. This leads to exposure of hair follicles to the substance and thinning of hair over a period of time, leading to permanent hair loss. Hair loss in men can start in different areas but usually happens at the temples and/or the crown of the head.

The presence of dandruff has been known to be one of the most common causes of hair loss. It has to be treated before any sort of re-growth method is attempted. There are many other causes of hair loss, most stemming from an unhealthy lifestyle, including smoking, drinking, sedentary habits and the lack of a balanced diet, to name a few. Medical reasons can also lead to hair loss for which consultation with a doctor is warranted.

What can help?

There are hundreds of products on the market today that promise to combat hair loss, but we show you a select few options that have been, in most cases if not all, successful in re-growing hair.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil (trade names Rogaine, Regaine, Avacor and Mintop) has been one of the most popular treatments for hair loss for some time now and is available in topical and oral forms. It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

ACTION: It is a vasodilator and acts by increasing oxygen, blood and nutrients to the hair follicle, thus promoting growth.

Side effects: Although Minoxidil is one of the most successful treatments for baldness, it comes with its share of side effects in a small percentage of individuals that include skin rashes, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face and extremities, and, paradoxically in some cases, even hair loss.

Flip side: Minoxidil has been proven to work only for 48 weeks by clinical trials. Which means that after this period, the hair growth can stop or hair can fall when a tolerance to the drug is developed.

Though Minoxidil can be obtained from your local pharmacy over the counter, a consultation with your dermatologist is warranted before its use.

Revivogen

Revivogen is a dermatologist-formulated, all-natural solution for hair loss and thinning hair and is made from powerful herbal ingredients for men and women. It is available only for topical application and has been one of the most recognised treatments for balding and thinning hair. It is widely considered to be the No1 topical medication for hair loss in both men and women.

Action: Revivogen works in two ways. It inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which makes DHT, and also stimulates hair growth, targeting both the cause of hair loss and promoting a dense and thick growth of hair. Results can be expected with two to three months of continuous use.

Side Effects: No known side effects have been reported.

Flipside: This product is recent and has not been yet approved by the FDA

Other methods of hair restoration include Direct Hair Implant (DHI), where healthy hair follicles are transplanted from unaffected areas of your scalp to the bald areas, whereby new hair is expected to grow. Invasive, but considered less painful, DHI requires a shorter post-operative recovery time and shows the best results. Hair fixing is another method where hair identical to yours is fixed or weaved into your hair and the result is an all-natural, full-hair look. While hair transplantation, like any other surgery, is invasive and subjects a person to some amount of pain despite anaesthesia, hair fixing promises to be a relatively pain-free procedure. However, it requires follow-up visits to maintain the hair patch. These procedures are recommended for individuals with extensive hair loss which cannot be restored with medication.

With advancements in laser technology, yet another product to emerge is the FDA-approved HairMax Laser Comb, a safe and convenient hand-held comb which stimulates hair growth with the help of different types of laser beams. Time magazine named it "Invention of the year" in the year 2000.

The Vivandi Hair Spa in Dubai offers hair re-growing methods that include LRHT therapy (Laser Revivogen Hair Therapy), which promises hair re-growth and comes with a money back guarantee.

Home remedy - Garlic

Take a clove of garlic and slice it into two halves. Rub the soft inside part on the affected areas of your scalp and massage gently. Garlic is a vasodilator that dilates the blood vessels in the scalp, increasing blood flow to the hair roots and aiding in hair growth. Shampoo after 60 minutes. The flip side of this method, of course, is having to endure the strong odour of garlic for an hour.

CAUTION: Consult with a physician prior to using any of the medicines mentioned in this article.

THE ACTION PLAN

•  Always dry hair gently; never towel dry vigorously.
• Sleep for at least eight hours.
• Drink plenty of water everyday and eat lots of leafy vegetables and fruit.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.
•  Treat dandruff completely from the root.
• Own your personal hairbrush and keep it clean and dry.
• Hair gel and heat devices actually cause damage, so avoid using them.

GET HELP

• For information on Revivogen, hair therapies and HairMax Laser combs, contact Vivandi Hair Spa on 800-vivandi or log on to www. vivandihairspa.com
• www.dhiuae.com
• Dubai Hair Clinic, 04-348-5575 www.dubaihairclinic.com
• Gulf Gate Hair Fixing, 04-396-4949n
• Nu/Hart Hair Clinic, www.nuhartme.com