Male Pattern Baldness
- Male pattern baldness refers to a loss of hair on the scalp in men. It happens as hormone levels change over a man’s lifetime, and especially in the later years. Men normally lose their hair when three main factors interact: genetics, age, and hormones. Also known as androgenetic alopecia, male-pattern baldness happens as hormone levels change over the course of a man’s life. Genetic factors also affect the likelihood of male-pattern baldness. These factors contribute to the gradual shrinkage of the tiny cavities in the skin at the base of hairs, known as scalp hair follicles. Hair grows progressively shorter and finer until no new hairs grow.
Men normally lose their hair when three main factors interact: genetics, age, and hormones. Also known as androgenetic alopecia, male-pattern baldness happens as hormone levels change over the course of a man’s life. Genetic factors also affect the likelihood of male-pattern baldness. These factors contribute to the gradual shrinkage of the tiny cavities in the skin at the base of hairs, known as scalp hair follicles. Hair grows progressively shorter and finer until no new hairs grow.
Who is at risk?
Male pattern baldness can begin in your teenage years, but it more commonly occurs in adult men, with the likelihood increasing with age. Genetics plays a big role. Men who have close relatives with male pattern baldness are at a higher risk. This is particularly true when their relatives are on the maternal side of the family.
Am i losing hair?
If your hair loss begins at the temples or the crown of the head, you may have male pattern baldness. Some men will get a single bald spot. Others experience their hairlines receding to form an “M” shape. In some men, the hairline will continue to recede until all or most of the hair is gone.
Transplantation
Hair transplantation involves taking hair from elsewhere and grafting it onto the scalp.Hairs in the lower part of the back of the scalp are more resistant to androgens, and so they are used in surgical transplants. The hair donated to balding areas remains resistant to the male hormones.
Surgery involves either:taking a strip of skin from another part of the head, complete with hair, to graft it onto the bald area
transplanting individual hairs, which avoids scarring
The procedures are expensive and unlikely to be covered by most insurance providers.
In a study published in 2013, scientists managed to grown new hair follicles in a lab, which produced some hairs when transplanted onto a mouse.
This is the only procedure so far that has grown new hairs.This could one day lead to procedures that would enable new hair growth in men with male pattern baldness.
male pattern baldness facts
Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, typically occurs later in life as a result of changing hormone levels.
Hair loss can be psychologically distressing for men, and they may seek a variety of treatments.
Other causes of hair loss include nutritional deficiencies, infections, and some psychological conditions.
Treatments include medications, laser and light therapies, and hair transplantation.