Male hair loss DNA test can open the way for early preventive action

After renowned hair transplant surgeon Dr Bessam Farjo made headlines last month by performing what is believed to be the world’s first streaming of a hair transplant, he is now in the news again. Dr Farjo, who has clinics in Manchester and London, and boasts ex Manchester United footballer Clayton Blackmore as one of many celebrity clients, is offering the chance for men to take a simple test to see if they are likely to lose their hair.

The pioneering new idea that is carried out at Dr Farjo’s clinics is a £195 DNA test which involves taking a sample of saliva from inside the cheek. The sample then gets sent to a specialised laboratory in the U.S. where it is analysed for the presence of a gene that results in follicles to stop growing, thus resulting in hair loss. After just ten days, men can find out whether they are at risk of losing their hair.
Dr Farjo commented on the procedure and who could benefit, saying, “This test is useful for someone very young who has not yet started losing their hair but wants to have peace of mind or to do something about it if there’s a family history. A positive result means you have a 70 per cent chance of being significantly bald by the age of 40. That means you’d look in the mirror and say, “I’m bald”, not just thinning a little bit.”

Losing their precious locks is one of the biggest worries amongst the current generation of young males.  After leading celebrity figures such as Wayne Rooney and Louis Walsh openly admitted to undergoing hair transplant procedures last year, this has helped to shed some of the embarrassment-factor previously associated with the sensitive subject of male or female hair loss.

However, hair transplants are not a viable option for everybody in the current financial climate and can set you back thousands of pounds.  Other effective, inexpensive hair loss solutions include the medication Propecia. This therapy treats genetically inherited male pattern hair loss and works most effectively on the top of the head and the mid-scalp area. Propecia can slow down the hair loss on vertex and the anterior mid-scalp area, prevent further hair loss or in some cases, even re-grow hair. It is available from Medical Specialists Pharmacy working out from as little as £47.58 per month.

Other options include the increasingly popular Regaine Foam. Obtainable from Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £46.45, this product contains the active ingredient Minoxidil which is clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss, showing success in 4 out of 5 men. It works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles which helps to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth. For most men, using Regaine even reverses the process, resulting in regrowth.

There are also emerging over the counter products that have been released in recent times. Alpecin Caffeine C1 Shampoo stimulates hair growth directly at the roots, strengthens weakened hair roots and prevents hereditary hair loss. In just in 2 minutes, the active ingredient travels along the hair shaft directly into the hair follicles. If the shampoo is left on for longer, the caffeine will also penetrate into the scalp.

Overall, it could be in men’s best interests to take Dr Farjo’s revolutionary test. For just £195 you will be able to have a much better idea of your chances of experiencing hair loss in the future, and take preventive action today through a number of different options such as those mentioned earlier.