Male Hair Loss

QUESTION: Can you give me tips for coping with male hair loss?

ANSWER:

Coping with the reality that the human body ages (like male hair loss) and that certain characteristics often accompany that aging process, is sometimes difficult for individuals to do. Baby boomers are turning to humor and quips to address the wrinkles and bumps, spider veins, and hair growing out of chins and ears. And yet, not everyone can transition through the changes that accompany maturity with such an optimistic sense of humor. One of the changes that frequently presents a mental and emotional challenge for men is coping with male hair loss, or what is often called male pattern baldness or alopecia in men.

Male Hair Loss - What Causes It?
Male hair loss appears to be a genetic condition that results from changes that take place in the male hormone levels in the scalp. The changes apparently cause shrinkage of hair follicles in the scalp, resulting in thinning hair. This natural progression of hair loss begins when a man is in his mid-twenties and early thirties. It typically begins with a receding hairline that eventually gives way to a general thinning of the hair on the top of the head. Despite the numerous television ads that promote the regeneration of hair loss, male pattern baldness continues to be a significant source of frustration to a lot of men.

Male Hair Loss - How Should I Respond to It?
The best way to deal with reality of any situation is to begin with the facts. Male hair loss is not an indication of disease or illness; it is a normal occurrence for many men. A recent trend toward shaving the head is often an attractive alternative to thinning hair. Some men resort to hair transplants or try the myriad of products on today's market that are purported to stimulate hair growth. Those who report success with these medical interventions are few in comparison to the number of men who cope with male hair loss by being themselves and focusing on character building rather than outward looks.

Former astronaut, John Glenn said in response to a query about his own sparse head of hair, The good Lord gave men only so many hormones, and if others want to waste theirs on growing hair, that’s up to them.

In the Bible we read these words that remind us that God is more interested in the condition of our hearts than in how attractive we are to others. “. . .People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person's thoughts and intentions” (1 Samuel 16:7).