Though loss of hair is a natural part of aging for most, if not all men, losing hair can be mentally and emotionally damaging. The most common type of hair loss is male pattern baldness (MPB).
What is Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is a loss of hair on the scalp. While most men suffer later in life, such as in their 30s and 40s, for some men, this type of hair loss can start as early as their teenage years.
Male pattern baldness can be identified by hair loss usually on the top of the head. While this can mean either a receding hairline or thinning on the crown, both are key indicators in diagnosing male pattern baldness.
On the other hand, female pattern baldness usually occurs throughout the part of the hair.
The good news is, MPB is very common and usually self diagnosable. Although this condition can’t completely be cured, treatment can significantly help. At the end of the day, you can even potentially cover up any evidence of it happening.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
There are a few different causes of male pattern baldness. These 3 main causes are related to either genetics, hormones, or age.
Genetics
One of the tricky parts of male pattern baldness is the fact that it often comes from family history.
While inherited MPB usually does not raise concern for related health issues, you should be aware if your hair loss worsens due to new medications.
If you find your hair loss is accompanied by other health issues, you should contact your doctor right away.
Hormones
Much like a female pattern baldness, male pattern baldness has a lot to do with hormones. Typically, as hormone levels change due to aging, MPB occurs.
Dihydrotestosterone, otherwise known as DHT, is a male sex hormone that contributes to characteristics like body hair.
On the contrary, this means DHT can also affect when you lose your hair and how quickly.
DHT comes from testosterone. It contributes to different male sex characteristics like having a deep voice, muscle mass, and increased body hair.
While every hair within a follicle on your body goes through a growth cycle, which lasts up to six years, no matter what you do to your hair, it typically will grow back.
Throughout the cycle, hair can fall out. Usually, the follicle just produces a new hair, restarting the cycle. However, with high levels of DHT, your hair follicles can shrink and the cycle can shorten.
This causes your hair to thin, be brittle, and decrease its longevity.
Age
Another sure tell way of diagnosing male pattern baldness is by age. If you find that as you age, you lose more hair, then you can probably conclude that MPB is the cause.
As mentioned above, the causes of male pattern baldness are not usually in your control. Studies show that by the age of 50, around 50% of men have lost a noticeable amount of hair.
Treating Male Pattern Baldness
Hair loss is expected as you age, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it! While restoring hair at home can be difficult, a hair loss professional like John Frank, MD can address these factors with a hair restoration plan that’s custom to you.
With nearly 15 years experience in the industry, Dr. Frank has helped over 10,000 patients find their way when dealing with hair loss in New York and Ohio.
Contact our team today to schedule your Frank & Honest Hair Consultation!
