Hair loss or alopecia can cause more trouble than a sunburned scalp. It can affect a person’s image and confidence at the workplace and their ability to enjoy their leisure time. In an age of longer life and increased productivity, can we afford to lose our hair?

Half of all men will lose their hair by the age of 50 and nearly one in three will notice hair loss by the age of 30. Fifty years ago a balding crown would have been sign of retirement; an esteemed symbol of hard work and wisdom.

But our life expectancy has increased thirty years over the past century and younger generations could all expect to live to 100. For many men, this means having hair will be a novelty for only half of their life.

The most common form of baldness in men is known as pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia and is caused by the changing levels of the androgen hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This most potent sex hormone is synthesized in the prostate, testes, hair follicles and adrenal glands and is also responsible for developing male sex characteristics during puberty.

The hormone gave, and the hormone hath taken away. It’s an unfortunate irony that DHT allows a teenager to grow hair on some parts of the body before taking it away from the scalp later in life. However, modern treatments clinically proven to reverse this condition, known as the androgen paradox, have seen impressive results.

Propecia has shown to stimulate hair growth in early stages of alopecia for two out of three men or at the very least, stop further hair loss for 90% of men. The active ingredient, Finasteride, works to inhibit the effects of DHT with virtually no side-effects.

It has been reported in extremely rare cases that Finasteride can compromise a man’s sexual performance, which could seem more threatening than losing any hair. However, according to the Australasian Society of Hair Replacement Surgery, less than 1% of patients reported any sexual performance side-effects. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) have also recently dismissed the claim of these side effects.

Minoxidil in a 5% concentration has been a proven solution for men and women suffering hair loss, with 76% of people gaining some to moderate hair growth. Further research has shown secretions from the sebaceous glands in the skin can hinder the effect of Minoxidil, paving the way for the scalp cleanser and scalp roller.

Saw Palmetto is a plant-based medicine proven to decrease symptoms suffered from an enlarged prostate as well as inhibit DHT to prevent hair loss. Containing high concentrations of Saw Palmetto and other herbal extracts including Stinging Nettle, Medici Capelli’s Essential and Ultimate tablets are an effective herbal alternative to other DHT blockers.

In an ISHRS survey, only 5% of respondents said hair loss did not bother them while 62% felt having more hair would translate to greater success in advancing their career. As our life expectancy and retirement age gets older, it only makes sense to be happier with a full head of hair for longer.