Avoiding the Bad Wrap

If Hollywood gave out awards for the most embarrassing moment on screen, then a “Tonight Show” segment that aired several years ago featuring author Tom Wolfe would be a sure winner.

While Wolfe plugged his latest book, a thick strand of plastered-down hair came loose from across his balding pate, flopped over in the opposite direction and waved menacingly with his every gesture. Mercifully, Johnny Carson called for a commercial break and by the time the cameras rolled again, a stylist had rearranged Wolfe’s wayward hair.

One could almost hear the sigh of relief heaved by millions of male viewers, since many of them were also practicing one of the world’s oldest deceptions: the Comb-Over a.k.a. The Blankie, The Wraparound, The Up-and-Over, Wolfe had attempted to cover his bare cranium by growing out his remaining hair on one side, parting it at the top of the ear and combing it sideways across his head. But it pried loose in public. If it happened to sophisticated Wolfe, it could happen to anyone.

Nearly 40 million American men have male pattern baldness, a hereditary condition that causes the hairline to recede and the hair on top and in back of the head to thin. In many cases, a forelock of baby-fine hair remains in front and a fringe of hair remains around the ears and back of the neck. Although some men seem to take it all in stride, deep down it remains a touchy issue, because men’s hair is often associated with virility.

In the early stages, thinning hair can be disguised with mouses and gels that coat the hair, making it appear thicker. Later on, a little artful combing is required to cover bare spots. It might stop there, but for many the balding process continues until the hair that remains on top of the head becomes more of a problem than an asset.

Below are a few suggestions on how to cope with thinning hair from Frederick Meabon, owner of Gentlemen’s Quarters, a men’s hair styling salon in Irvine.

Myths and Facts Myth: Baldness is inherited from other’s side of the family. Fact: Inherited from either parent. Myth: If several male family members are bald, male offspring will eventually become bald. Fact: Baldness is a genetic roll of the dice that can affect one male sibling and not the other, or skip entire generations. Myth: Baldness is caused by stress. Fact: Permanent hair loss is genetic. Myth: Hats and athletic headgear contribute to hair loss. Fact: There is no evidence that friction or decreased oxygen to the scalp causes hair loss. Myth: Baldness is caused by an oily scalp and can be prevented with special shampoos. Fact: Clogged pores do not stop or slow hair growth. Myth: Baldness is caused by poor blood supply and can be prevented with frequent scalp massage. Fact: The scalp’s vascular network is one of the most efficient on the body and has not been linked to baldness. Myth: Effective hair-growth potions are now available over the counter. Fact: Minoxidl, the only substance scientifically proven to grow hair, is available by prescription only.

What Causes Baldness

The exact number of hair we have on our scalps is determined genetically by the number of hair follicles. Baldness occurs when some hair follicles become inactive due to the male hormone androgen. Experts have been unable so far to explain why androgen causes follicles to wither and die.

How Hair Grows A) Growth Phase: Root stimulates growth of hair bulb and then the shaft. Each hair stays on scalp about three years. B) Rest Phase: Bulb retracts from root, and eventually the hair falls out. New hair begins to grow in the same follicle.

Maintenance Get frequent trims: Keep hair short to maintain proportion. Avoid the comb-over look. Hair pieces: A good hair piece blends in; no one will ever know it’s there. “But a cheap one looks like a black saddle blanket on a white horse,” Meabon said. Cost: $1,500-$2,500. Rogaine: A hair-growth cream available by prescription from a dermatologist, must be applied twice a day for life to maintain results. The product works well for some men, but others have reported no significant regrowth. Cost: about $55 a month, plus office visits. Hair transplants: A surgical procedure that moves permanent hairs, follicle and all, to bare spots on the scalp. Procedure must be performed by a specially trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Cost: $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the number of transplants required. Take action early: With all of these options, the best results have been among those who took steps to correct the condition early. “Don’t wait until after the fact, or you will end up spending more money for less results,” said Meabon.

Vital Stats * There are more permanent hairs in the lower portion of the scalp. Hair follicles that die are more often found near the forehead and crown. That is why most bald men are left with a horseshoe-shaped fringe of hair around the back and sides of the head. * Hair grows about half an inch per month. * There are an average of 300,000 hairs on the scalp at any given time. * On average, 100 to 150 hairs are shed daily.

Sources: Fred Meabon, Gentlemen’s Quarters; American Medical Assn. Encyclopedia of Medicine; Bosley Medical Group, Newport Beach