MAYBE HAIR is nothing but dead cells, but for some men it can be a sign of success, vitality, virility, sex appeal and youth. For men, especially those under 30, losing it can make them feel as if they are losing it along with the things which hair represents. Hair loss may do to men what wrinkles do to women - shy; make them look and feel older.

According to dermatologist, Dr. Heather Brown, baldness is genetic (unless it is caused from skin or scalp complications). The scientific name for this condition is 'androgenetic alopecia' - which means baldness is a part of the family history, Dr. Brown says. Your hair follicles are genetically coded. If the genes causing baldness were among those genes, then the hair follicles on vertex (top of the head) will be sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.

Therefore, Dr. Brown explains, as one approaches adulthood the hairs become micronised like facial hairs (not beard and moustache). These are called vellus hairs and they appear not to be there. So, contrary to popular belief, baldness is not a sign of ageing.

She says hair loss affects them (men) in different ways but it was the "feeling of ageing which bothers them". While they don't go into severe depression they can at times feel depressed and some think it's not sexy. Another matter of concern is how peers react to someone's hair loss. Some will be understanding, others can be quite mean. Leon was lucky because his friends "were cool and since I wore a hat all the time nobody said anything much, at least, not the guys I used to hang with." Sometimes the person going bald makes more of it than his peers.

Cover-ups and men

While some men refuse to accept their hair loss and resort to using cover-ups, others have embraced it and have used it to enhance their look. Some opt to use wigs and toupees which, according to psychologist, Dr. Leahcim Semaj, "have never really caught on in our culture." But, the permanent wearing of hats have.

There are persons such as Leon who wore hats everywhere, except to bed. However, hats may not always go with the outfit a man wears, and those who are very fashion conscious will know that. It is more likely for men on lower social strata to indulge in permanent hat wearing, Dr. Semaj adds.

There have been several products such as shampoos, gels and ointments on the market purporting to regrow hair. But, only Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) have been FDA-approved to treat male pattern balding.

Although both products purport to regrow hair, Dr. Brown explains that these only coarsen vellus hairs that are already there. Additionally, they are long-term commitments since if the user discontinues use of the product, the hairs will eventually fall out.

Of course, the results in this treatment vary from good to moderate to not good. Some people have combined both for better results, Dr. Brown tells Outlook.

Hair transplantation is another option. But this can be expensive and can take several visits to be completed, depending on the area to cover. Furthermore, the medications are neither manufactured here nor available anymore.

Hair transplants are not offered here, so those who can afford to trim their bank accounts, trek overseas to get it done. Sadly, for the men in Jamaica who are experiencing hair loss, Dr. Brown says, "There is no real help locally for them."

The loss of locks

Dr. Semaj, who wears dreadlocks, is also going bald. This is a subject and a condition which he says he has no problem discussing nor having. He says he is "more interested in what is in his head than what is on it."

He, like the other men interviewed, started seeing a receding hairling in his 20s. "In the late 20s there was constant receding ­ but it has never really bothered me. Even the fact that I wear dreadlocks doesn't bother me."

Interestingly, he tells Outlook that "Male pattern baldness indicates to me that I had more sex hormones than the man who has a full head of hair."

He even avoids the style where you wrap the locks around the head, which he likes, because "people will interpret it as an attempt to cover the bald spot."

But baldness has become a serious area of concern for others.

Taking it in stages

Simon Chungis your typical man on the move. At 26, the prime of his life, he's got a good job and a great car. Just a minor problem - he's losing his hair.

I must admit that I was a tad cautious when I approached Simon about the interview. I noticed his thinning hair, but like many of his friends, I never say anything about it. Nor do I ask his feelings about it. It is admittedly a touchy subject for some and friends sometimes walk on eggs shells when the topic comes up. So I asked, and he was kind enough to tell me it was not a big problem for him.

Simon noticed "a slight thinning at the front" of his head at about age 22. Of course, he was constantly told by family members that he would go bald. He saw the signs in his father, who is now bald, but thought it wouldn't start until he was in his 30s.

Interestingly, his confidence has not been shaken by this ­ maybe because it has not affected dating for him. His major concern is how it looks. So recently, he has trimmed his hair very low and this conceals his impending baldness very well. He says has thought about Rogaine, but then he also thought about he side effects and wondered if it was worth it.

Would Simon do a hair transplant? "Hell no! I wouldn't go to that extreme." He says he is not even worried about it making him look older. But, he would shave it all off if the middle goes bald. "I would prefer to shave it off because having a bald spot in the middle and wearing hair around it is so uncool."

When you're going bald you can comb the sides of your hair over the bald spot and hope the wind doesn't blow ­ if you are Caucasian, of Indian descent or any other race that have straight hair. You can grow the hair at the back of your head and plait it in a ponytail. You can wear the sides of your hair around the spot really high (like a wreath). You can give a very low cut or you can go all the way. Shave it all off!

Dr. Semaj says "the act of Michael Jordan going totally bald has provided a serious counteraction for men."

The advent of shaving off the hair has helped a lot of men. However, going totally bald is a more middle ­ and upper-class move, he tells Outlook.

For those who are at the initial stage ­ thinning hair, Dr. Semaj advises that they keep it very low as it will not be as obvious. For those who have a problem with the way it looks the viable option is to shave it all off. It is a style which has staying power ­ it is timeless.