Baldness

Those eager to reverse a receding hairline can choose from a few solutions. Hair transplants are a costly but permanent option. Topical solutions that promote hair growth, but at inconsistent rates, are another option.

To date, scientists haven’t developed a surefire method to stop hair loss, scientifically known as androgenetic alopecia. That term alone provides clues to its illusive cure.

Hair loss is the result of both hormonal and hereditary factors. The truth is, hair loss is still a bit of a mystery, said Dr. Edidiong Kaminska. She practices dermatology in Chicago and is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology.

“There are so many molecular pathways — it’s multifactorial, it’s hereditary. There are a host of factors,” she told Healthline. “That’s why treating hair loss has been complicated and challenging.”