Former Mr SA Armand du Plessis opens up about hair transplant procedure

25% of men who experience male-pattern baldness will begin to see the effects before the age of 21 years. By 35 years, around 65% will have experienced some hair loss, rising to 85% by the age of 50.

Dr Kashmal Kalan, a globally-renowned hair restoration expert and medical director of the Alvi Armani hair transplant clinic, says that while there is a long list of risk factors that can contribute to hair loss, genetics, or a familial history of hair loss, is generally considered the most common cause across all ages and genders.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information in the US, androgenetic alopecia, also known as male- or female-pattern baldness affects 50% of all men and 15% of all women.

ALSO SEE: Six common female hair loss questions answered

Early signs of hair loss

Men can typically start experiencing hair loss as early as their twenties, whereas women will only start showing signs from their forties and fifties.

While bald spots and receding hairlines are a big tell that you’re starting to lose your luscious locks, there’s another test you can perform to catch hair loss early on and treat it before it becomes noticeable.

Dr Kalan says a person with a full head of hair can employ the hair-pull-test on a regular basis.

Simply clasp around 50 strands of hair and gently pull them upward. Repeat the process across various parts of your scalp. If six or more strands come loose with any one attempt, consult a hair loss treatment professional.

Other general symptoms of hair loss include:

• The formation of circular patches or bald spots over a period of weeks
• Gradual thinning of the hair on top of the head
• Excess amounts of loose hair on your pillow in the morning
• Full body hair loss

Former Mr South Africa Armand du Plessis opens up about his hair transplant

After years of insecurity about his hair loss and hair thinning, model and practicing attorney Armand du Plessis decided to get his self-confidence back on track.

The former Mr South Africa, who is in his early thirties, says the realisation that he was losing his hair began to negatively impact his confidence. Du Plessis is still very involved in the modelling industry, and says it’s important for him to look his absolute best at all times.

He believes that working in a high-stress environment every day as a lawyer also played a role in his hair thinning and hair loss.

After trying various hair products and taking tablets, to no avail, he took the big step to go for a hair transplant.

“Male grooming and personal care has seen huge growth over several years and I think it has become more acceptable for guys to openly use and discuss their personal care routines, something we don’t do often enough. It’s not only about looking better but feeling better. This journey has given me the necessary confidence to not only excel in the modelling industry, but in court as well,” he said.

ALSO SEE: Jada Pinkett Smith and other celebs who struggle with alopecia

Treatments available

Dr Kalan says advanced treatment methods are now simpler and more effective than ever, giving you the option to get better, fuller hair than you might have ever had.

One such option is Follicular unit extraction (FUE). This minimally invasive procedure involves extracting around 3,500 follicles per session from the donor site at the back of a person’s head. Combined with a surgical restoration technique, the hair is then genetically programmed to grow for life.

This procedure is available at the Alvi Armani hair transplant clinic where their world-renowned Maximus FUE extraction combined with the Vitruvian Design method is capable of extracting more than 4,000 follicles per session and results in a more natural hairline, maximum density, temple angle closure and complete surgery undetectability.

*Compiled by Xanet Scheepers