When Do Men Typically Start Balding?
While hair thinning and baldness are very common issues among men, it is important to remember that there have been several major advances in the field of hair restoration over the years. These advances have produced both surgical and non-surgical treatment options that have proven very effective for many individuals.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, 25% of men with a genetic disadvantage start losing their hair before the age of 21 and 66% experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 35. Additionally, 85% of men will have significantly thinner hair by the time they are 50 years-old. Overall, 95% of hair loss is due to male pattern baldness.* With that in mind, causes of hair loss vary among individuals. The most common factors include androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and nutritional deficiencies, with the chances of balding and hair recession increasing with age.
At Leonard Hair Transplant Associates, our surgeons, Dr. Matthew Lopresti and Dr. Mary Lopresti, are dedicated to revitalizing hair with natural-looking results. With options such as hair transplant surgery and non-surgical treatments, many individuals can successfully address male pattern baldness and thinning hair at virtually any age.
Advancements in science and technology have helped hair restoration evolve into an exciting field that offers real solutions. Leonard Hair Transplant Associates is at the forefront of this evolution with our hair banking and cloning services, which can be long-term investments in your appearance and confidence. The benefits can include a full head of hair for years to come, which can make the process a worthwhile endeavor for many patients.
HairClone® Hair Follicle Banking
Hair follicle banking, a cutting-edge solution for men and women dealing with hair loss, involves harvesting quality follicles to clone and re-inject into the scalp. The U.K.-based HairClone® is the first follicle banking program that lets patients address hair thinning with this revolutionary method. It is recommended to start harvesting cells earlier, when the follicles are younger and healthier, as this allows for more successful re-injection and opportunities for thicker hair.
The harvesting, banking, and cloning process takes place both in-office and off-site. The multi-step procedure includes:
Step 1: Hair Follicle Harvesting
The first step of the process entails extracting hair follicles. Roughly 120 follicles will be harvested from the back of your head in a 30- to 45-minute procedure.
Step 2: Cell Banking and Storage
The banked hair follicles are sent to HairClone® to be stored using a cryopreservation process. This stops the cells from aging, but still keeps them alive. The cells can be banked until you’re ready to move forward with the next step of cloning and re-injection.
Step 3: Hair Cell Cloning
The cloning process involves the growth and multiplication of harvested cells over a period of a few weeks.
Step 4: Hair Follicle Re-Injection
After the cloning process, the duplicated cells can be re-injected into the thinning area of your scalp to help rebuild weak hairs with thicker hairs. As other hair gets thinner over time, re-injection may be needed about every two to three years.
The best way to find out whether you are an ideal candidate for this option is to schedule a consultation for an evaluation of your needs and goals. For more information on hair loss treatments, or to schedule your consultation with one of our experienced hair restoration surgeons, please contact our office.