Is it entirely possible for men to prevent baldness and even re-grow hair on a partially bald head?

What Causes Baldness?

Baldness is the most common reason why most men lose hair and there are two ways it can present itself. Some men start out with a receding hairline and a bald spot on the top of the head until eventually the two areas meet and only rim of hair around the back and sides of the scalp is left. Others may simply notice thinning hair on the crown, or diffusely spread over the scalp. Both patterns are caused by the same mechanism, but it’s genetics that determine which hair follicles are prone to the effects of hair loss. Male pattern hair loss is caused by three things: genes, hormones, and age. Roughly one-third of the male population starts to lose hair by the age of 45. By the time men hit the 50’s or 60’s, nearly all of them will have some degree of hair loss.

Baldness in men is caused by a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT (a converted form of testosterone), which binds to the hair follicles in the scalp and causing them to shrink until eventually they stop producing hair. Testosterone levels are normal in balding men and although it’s not clear why, the follicles on the top of the scalp tend to be more susceptible to the effects of DHT as opposed to the back and sides, or any other hair producing area on the body for that matter.

But what is really the connection between testosterone levels and hair loss in men? Men graced with male pattern baldness genes inherit hair follicles that are oversensitive to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When testosterone is converted into DHT, it shrinks the hair follicles, resulting in shorter and finer hair until, eventually, hair growth stops altogether.

Now, back to our question: Is it entirely possible for men to prevent baldness and even re-grow hair on a partially bald head? The answer is YES! The good news is the hair follicles don't die off, so hair growth may still be possible.

The role of testosterone in premature balding has led to the myth that going bald is a sign of virility. However, men with male pattern baldness aren't any more well-endowed with testosterone than other men. Their hair follicles are simply more sensitive to the hormones.

Treatments for Hair Loss

If your family tree is missing a fair amount of foliage, there's little you can do to prevent your own leaves from falling out. Hair loss treatments can slow down the balding process, but there's no cure for male pattern baldness. The two treatments approved for male pattern baldness are minoxidil and finasteride. Hair loss returns when you stop using either medication.

Minoxidil is a topical solution or foam that you apply directly to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. For many men, minoxidil slows hair loss. For some, it may even reverse hair loss, allowing new hair growth. Minoxidil generally takes about two weeks to start working. If hair growth doesn't seem to increase after four months of use, tell your doctor.

Finasteride is a pill that blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT to slow hair loss. Because DHT contributes to prostate growth, finasteride is also used to treat enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). For hair loss, it can take at least three months to see new hair growth.

Other remedies for hair loss include hairpieces, hair transplants, and plastic surgery procedures, such as scalp reduction.
It probably goes without saying that if you're not distressed by hair loss, there's no reason to treat it. As a general rule, though, it's easier to maintain hair than it is to regrow it, so if you think you may be bothered by hair loss as it progresses, treat your thinning hair as soon as possible.