The biggest question we get over here at Hair Loss Advance is ‘What is the best hair loss treatment for me’? And the answer, quite simply, is that it depends on many factors. Hair loss is a complicated process, and many factors - age, heredity, medical condition, diet, level of well-being and stress - all factor in to hair loss.

Another very important factor is the severity of hair loss at the time of treatment, as well as previous treatments. You see, a person who begins hair loss treatment at the onset of noticing pattern baldness will have better success with topical formulas, anti-DHT treatments and diet changes.

However, a person who has lost significant hair cannot regrow follicles that have expired, and therefore will have much less chance of redeveloping hair since the hair follicles have already died and are unable to grow new hairs.

Below is the Norwood classification for hair loss, which describes the various levels of hair loss for men.

In general, most men respond best to topical treatment when the hair loss severity under level IV. After this, it is more difficult to allow hair to regrow, and even when some follicles are rejuvenated, there will be patches of baldness where dead follicles could no longer be revived.

Here are some general guidelines for finding the best hair loss treatment for you.

Topical Hair Loss Treatment Treatments

These treatments are comprised of topical FDA-approved treatments that contain anti-DHT treatments primarily. DHT is a by-product of conversion of testosterone by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in the body. DHT - known as Dihydrotestosterone - binds to the androgen receptor and begins corroding the hair follicle. Left unchecked, DHT will eventually corrode all genetically predisposed follicles on the scalp, causing full male pattern hair loss. At this point, reducing DHT is the only proven, viable way to grow new hair.

Always consult your physician before starting any treatment for hair loss.

Provillus works by reducing the level of free-floating DHT in the hair follicle itself by way of a topical treatment and / or herbal supplements. Provillus uses natural herbs to prevent the binding of DHT to the hair follicle, as well as reduce the amount of available DHT in the hair follicle. Although not FDA approved, this treatment has shown results for men, and generally works best for early to middle severity hair loss. There are no known side effects from Provillus.

Finasteride / Propecia works by preventing the 5-alpha-reductase conversion of Testosterone to DHT, thereby slowing the damage done by DHT on the hair follicle. Without DHT acting on the scalp, the hair follicles are able to grow healthy. The only drawback from this treatment is that there are some side effects. Reported clinical studies show:

• Decrease in sexual desire: 1.8%
• Problems with erection: 1.3%
• Decrease in semen volume ejaculated: 1.2%

For some men, the risks are low, and if this case treatment should address those with early to middle severity hair loss.

Minoxodil was created initially as a treatment for high blood pressure. It was then found that the compound helps combat hair loss. It is not known exactly how Minoxidil works, however many researchers believe it is the vasodilation effect (expanding of blood vessels) that the treatment has that causes expansion of blood vessels, which in turns provide more blood to the follicles, and carry away more waste - including DHT.

There are many other topical treatments, but in general, most claim to work on the principle of reducing DHT, while some claim to work by increasing blood flow to the follicle.

Hair Restoration. Hair Systems and Replacement

There are many variations of hair restoration, however most of the newer technologies involve replacing areas of lost hair with new donor hair grafts - groups of follicles - from other area of the scalp where hair is growing strong. This is possible because pattern baldness generally only attacks particular areas of the scalp for men and women, and tends to leave other areas unaffected.

Hair Restoration is expensive, and is really suited for people who are in the middle group of hair loss - Norwood V. However, since hair transplant costs are the biggest defining factor for most people, if you can afford the procedure, then it will likely be effective for you at any hair loss level.

Hair restoration and replacement is effective. However, it is important to remember that these techniques are not regrowing hair or rejuvating hair - they are only replacing areas that hair less hair density with hair from other higher density areas.

Hair restoration can get expensive, and can range from $5000 through $30000 USD for the procedure, depending on the professionals that perform the treatment, and the severity of hair loss.