Glenn Lyons from the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic replies: There's a vast assortment of potions and lotions all claiming to re-grow hair. There was even a time when people thought that a cow licking a bald scalp would help. But without exception, these 'miracle cures' have failed to deliver.
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) develops when genetically predisposed hair follicles become sensitive to male hormones (androgens). Testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which affects the follicles and causes hair loss.
Some younger men have found that external anti-androgens, which slow down the male hormones which cause balding, can help, although they won't restore a full head of hair.
The anti-hair loss drug Propecia, which has been available in America for a while, has just been launched here on private prescription only. It works by stopping one of the two enzymes responsible for converting testosterone into DHT and, therefore, preventing hair from falling out. The company that makes Propecia claims it can encourage hair growth, although they admit not on everyone!
At the Philip Kingsley Clinic we have been trying it out by giving candidates Propecia and external anti-androgens. However, it's too early to assess the results. In the future I'm sure scientific advances will result in hair follicles being able to be replicated, thus being the answer for the less than hirsute male!
See a private doctor or a hair clinic for information on getting Propecia.