Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness (MPB) is responsible for the vast majority of hair loss in men. Although there are several possible reasons people lose their hair, including critical illness, reaction to certain drugs and in rare cases, extremely stressful events, hair loss in men most blamed on heredity .

Men who suffer from baldness actually inheriting are hair follicles with a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT begin to miniaturize, shortening the lifespan of each hair follicle affected. Eventually, these affected follicles stop producing cosmetically acceptable hair.

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

A closer look at DHT

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a derivative or a derivative of testosterone. Testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme Type II 5-alpha reductase-place in sebaceous glands of follicles. Although the entire process of genetic male pattern baldness is not fully understood, scientists do know that DHT shrinks hair follicles, and that when DHT is suppressed, the follicles continue to thrive.

Follicles that are sensitive to DHT must be exposed to the hormone for a longer period for the affected follicle to complete the miniaturization process. Today, with good response of this process can be slowed or even stopped if caught early enough.

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