Causes In Men

Androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness (MPB) is responsible for the vast majority of hair loss in men. While there are many possible reasons people lose hair including heredity, most hair loss in men can be blamed on a combination of many factors including but not limited to stressful events, bad diet, not enough sleep, lack of exercise, serious disease, reaction to certain medications or a combination of all the above.

All the factors mentioned above causes the body to produce high levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. The DHT attacks the Hair follicles on the top of the head which causes the hairs to begin to miniaturize, shortening the lifespan of each hair follicle affected. In 99% of the cases, these hair follicles can grow strong healthy shiny hairs again only if the patient follows certain hygiene and diet regimens.

Male pattern baldness is generally characterized with the onset of a receding hairline and thinning crown. Hair in these areas including the temples and mid-anterior scalp appear to be the most sensitive to DHT. This pattern eventually progresses into more apparent baldness throughout the entire top of the scalp, leaving only a rim or “horseshoe” pattern of hair remaining in the more advanced stages of MPB. For some men even this remaining rim of hair can be affected by DHT.

A closer look at DHT
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a derivative or by-product of testosterone. Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha-reductace, which is held in the hair follicle’s oil glands. While the entire genetic process of male pattern baldness is not completely understood scientists do know that DHT shrinks hair follicles, and that when DHT is suppressed, hair follicles continue to thrive. Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT must be exposed to the hormone for a prolonged period of time in order for the affected follicle to complete the miniaturization process. Today, with proper intervention this process can be slowed or even stopped if caught early enough.