Up to two thirds of men experience male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). Although hair loss in men does not reflect any serious health aspects, patient concerns about balding should be taken seriously since one half of balding patients suffer from psychologic effects.
Two drugs are available for the treatment of balding in men. Minoxidil, a topical product, is available without a prescription. Finasteride is a prescription drug, taken orally once a day. Both agents are effective in slowing hair loss.
Recently, platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections to scalp have been successful in stimulating hair follicules. Concentrated growth factors stored in the platelets triggers a pathway leading to cellular proliferation, matrix formation and collagen synthesis—thus stimulating growth and healing. While surgical hair transplantation, minoxidil and finasteride are currently the treatments of choice. PRP helps patients with thinning hair or early hair loss by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells in the hair follicle to increase density and induce active growth in resting hair follicles.
