Male Hair Loss

Approximately 35 million men in the United States are affected by male pattern baldness or “Androgenetic Alopecia”. Hair loss may begin any time after puberty when blood levels of androgens (testosterone and DHT) rise. The first changes in male pattern baldness are usually seen in the temporal areas (temporal recession). Approximately 96% of men eventually will have some degree of temporal recession.

There is no way to predict what pattern of hair loss a young man with early androgenetic alopecia will eventually develop. Men who begin to lose their hair in their 20’s tend to have the most severe cases of androgenetic alopecia. In some men, onset of male pattern hair loss is delayed until the 40’s or 50’s. Contrary to common belief, the gene for androgenetic alopecia can be inherited from either the mother or father. The onset, rate, and severity of hair loss are unpredictable and hair loss increases with age.

The hair follicle is sensitive to the hormone metabolite DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Over time, the hair follicle goes through a process of miniaturization whereby the follicle first becomes thinner and lighter in color. As the color lightens, it emphasizes the appearance of hair loss and thinning. Eventually, the hair follicle and shaft are completely lost.