25% of men who experience male pattern baldness will begin to see the effects before the age of 21. By age 35, about 65% will experience hair loss, rising to 85% by age 50.
Dr. Kashmal Kalan, a world-renowned hair restoration expert and medical director of the Alvi Armani hair transplant clinic, says there is a list of risk factors that can cause hair loss, genetics, or a family history of hair loss. generally considered to be the most common cause in all ages and genders.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information in the US, androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness affects 50% of all men and 15% of all women.
SEE ALSO: Six common female hair loss questions answered
Early signs of hair loss
Men can usually experience hair loss from their twenties, while women will only show signs from their forties and fifties.
While bald spots and receding hairlines are signs that you’re starting to lose your beautiful locks, there are other tests you can do to prevent hair loss and treat it before it shows.
Dr. Kalan says that people with a full head of hair can use the hair pull test regularly.
Simply clip around 50 strands of hair and slowly pull them up. Repeat the process on different parts of the scalp. If six or more strands are lost with just one attempt, consult a hair loss professional.
Other common symptoms of hair loss include:
- Formation of round patches or bald spots over several weeks
- Gradual thinning of the hair on top of the head
- Excess amount of loose hair on the pillow in the morning
- Full body hair loss
Former Mr. South Africa Armand du Plessis opens up about his hair transplant
After years of insecurities about hair loss and thinning hair, model and practicing lawyer Armand du Plessis decided to regain her confidence.
The former Mr. South Africa, who is in his thirties, said his loss of hair began to affect his confidence. Du Plessis is still very involved in the modeling industry, and he said it is important for him to look the most absolute at all times.
He believes that working in a high stress environment every day as a lawyer also played a role in his hair and hair loss.
After trying various hair products and taking tablets, to no avail, he took the big step of getting a hair transplant.
“Grooming and personal care for men has grown a lot over the years and I think it’s more acceptable for men to open up and discuss their personal care routine, which they don’t often do. It’s not just about looking better but also feeling better. Travel it gave me the confidence I needed to not only excel in the modeling industry, but also on the court,” he said.
SEE ALSO: Jada Pinkett Smith and other celebrities who struggle with alopecia
Treatment is available
Dr. Kalan says advanced treatment methods are now easier and more effective than ever before, giving you options for better, fuller hair than you’ve ever experienced.
One such option is Follicular unit extraction (FUE). This minimally invasive procedure involves extracting around 3,500 follicles per session from a donor site at the back of a person’s head. Combined with surgical restoration techniques, the hair is then genetically programmed to grow for life.
This procedure is available at the Alvi Armani hair transplant clinic where the world-renowned Maximus FUE extraction combined with the Vitruvian Design method can extract more than 4,000 follicles per session and produce a more natural hairline, maximum density, temple angle closure and undetectable surgery complete
* Compiled by Xanet Scheepers