Hair loss in men

Male hair loss is a natural part of the aging process. By the time you reach your 60's, most men will be at least partially bald. Fortunately, this type of hair loss is gradual, developing over a period of 20 to 30 years.

However, the statistics of male hair loss are high. Three in ten 30 year olds, and half of 50 year old are quite bald. In its extreme form, some males start to show signs of pattern balding at the age of sixteen and some experience total baldness by the time they reach their early twenties.

The age at which you might develop male hair loss, is determined by your gene pool.

Why do so many men suffer from hair loss?
It's all down to what's commonly known as Male Pattern Balding or the more medically correct terms Male Pattern Alopecia and Androgenetic Alopecia.

Male hormones are called androgens. The way they work, and how they affect each individual, depends on what you've inherited from your parents. It's a dominant gene which means if it's present, it will nearly always cause pattern balding whether it comes from the paternal or maternal side, or both.

If it is on both sides, pattern balding will start early and be more acute. If your great grandparents, grandfathers, fathers, uncles and brothers have experienced early hair loss then there's a greater likelihood of it happening to you.

Appearance
Male hair loss follows a typical pattern on the head hence the name Male Pattern Baldness. It starts by receding at the front of the hairline, whilst simultaneously thinning on top. A bald patch then gradually develops in the middle of the scalp. At the advanced stages, the receding front, and bald patch on the top, eventually join together. A rim of hair is often left around the back and sides of the scalp. Sometimes that thins too, resulting in total baldness.



The Process of Hair Loss i Men
Each hair follicle in the body contains an enzyme or chemical catalyst called 5 alpha-reductase as well as a large number of other enzymes, which are responsible for both protein metabolism and for pigment manufacture.

For a reason as yet undiscovered, the genetic make-up can cause some of the hair follicles, containing 5 alpha-reductase, to start converting the male hormone testosterone into an altered form called 5 di-hydro-testosterone which has an inhibiting effect on the normal growth cycle of hair causing each successive hair to grow finer in texture and for a shorter period of time.

In extreme cases the hair becomes similar to the fine downy hair found on other parts of the body.

Remember that pattern baldness affects most men at some stage. But with treatment, further male hair loss can often be prevented and sometimes encourage re-growth. And, because the hair loss in man process is typically fairly slow, taking place over a number of years, the earlier that male pattern baldness treatment is sought the greater the chance of slowing or preventing further loss.