Men today have a range of options if they choose to battle hair loss. New advances in plastic surgery, microfiber technology and pharmacology can help slow -- or compensate for -- male pattern baldness.
Los Angeles dermatologist Harold Lancer, M.D., says, "The majority of my patients start by taking oral Propecia in pill form and applying Rogaine topically." Both medications are government-approved for promoting hair regrowth. Rogaine -- which is available over the counter -- must be applied twice a day; prescription Propecia is taken once a day.
Rogaine contains minoxidil, which lowers blood pressure, so individuals with certain heart conditions shouldn't use it. Propecia is for men only. Pregnant women shouldn't even handle the pills, which can cause birth defects.
Washington, D.C., public relations executive John Seng started taking Propecia a year and a half ago. "Besides stopping hair loss in its tracks," he says, "I can happily say that the drug has never caused any side effects of which I am aware." Seng pays about $130 for a three-month supply of Propecia.
Less drastic than surgery, the next step men usually take is nonsurgical hair replacement, which involves attaching a fine mesh to the scalp which contains hairs matched to the patient's own. The hairpiece is either glued, taped or clipped to the scalp, sometimes for as long as two months. Costs range between $1,000 and $3,000 per year.
